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OF PROMINENTand REPRESENTATIVE CITIEEN5 

OF THE COUNTY 

TOGETHER WITH- PORTRAITS 'AND -BIOGRAPHIES-QF-ALL ■ THE 

CHICAGO: 

LAKE CITY PUBLISHING CO. 

1890, 



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PE greatest of English historians, Macaulav, and one of the most brilliant writers oi 
the present centiuy, has said : '-The history of a conntry is best told in a retord of the 
lives of its people." In conformity with this idea the Portrait and Biogkapuical 
Ai.Huiiof this county has been prepared. Instead of going to musty records, and 
taking therefrom dry statistical matter that can be appreciated by but few. our 
corps of writers have gone to the people, the men and women who have, by their 
enterprise and industry, brought the county to a rank second to none among those 
comprising this great and noble State, and from their lips have the story of tlieir life 
struggles. No more interesting or instructive matter could be presented to an intelli- 
gent public. In this volume will be found a record of many whose lives are worthy the 
imitation of coming generations. It tells how some, coniinencing life in ])overty, by 
ndustry and economy have accumulated wealth. It tells how others, with limited 
advantages for securing an education, have become learned men and women, with an 
influence extending throughout the length and breadth of the land. It tells of men who 
h.ave risen from the lower walks of life to eminence as statesmen, and whose names have 
become famous. It tells of those in every walk in life who have striven to succeed and 
records how that success has usually crowned their eflforts. It tells also of many, very 
manj', who, not seeking the applause of the world, have pursued "the even tenor of their way," content 
to have it said of them as Christ said of the woman performing a deed of mercy — "the}- have done what 
they could." It tells how that many in the pride and strength of young manhood loft the plow and the 
anvil, the lawyer's office and the counting-room, left every trade and profession, and at their countrv'.s 
call went forth valiantly "to do or die," and how through their efforts the Union was restored and peace 
once more reigned in the land. In the life of every man and of every woman is a lesson that should not 
be lost upon those who follow after. 

Coming generations will appreciate this volume and preserve it as a s.aered treasure, from the fact 
that it contains so much that would never find its way into public records, and which would otiierwise be 
inaccessible. Great care has been taken in the compilation of the work and every opportunity possible 
given to those represented to insure correctness in what has been written, and the publishers flatter them- 
selves that the}' give to their readers a work with few errors of consequence. In addition to the biot^raph- 
ical sketches, portraits of a number of representative citizens are given. 

The faces of some, and biographical sketches of man}', will be missed in this volume. For this the 
publishers are not to blame. Not having a proper conception of the work, some rcfuseil to five the 
information necessary to compile a sketch, while othei-s were indifferent. Occasionally some member of 
the famil}' would oppose the enterprise, and on account of such opposition the support of the interested 
One would be withheld. In a few instances men could never be found, though repeated calls were made 
at their residence or place of business. 

/-, -v. , , onn Lakk City Piiii.isiiim; Co. 

Chicago, November, 1890. 




COPYRIGHTED /f^i^^ 

"aWV/ 1885. W 


















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FIRUT miiSWENr. 



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HE Father of our Countrj' was 
*&) born in WcstnKjrland Co., Va., 
'"-'' Feb. 2 2, 1732. His parents 
were Augustine and Mary 
(Ball) Washington. The family 
to which he belonged has not 
been satisfactorily traced in 
England. His great-grand- 
father, John Washington, em- 
igrated to XHrginia about 1657, 
and became a prosperous 
planter. He had two sons, 
Lawrence and John. The 
former married Mildred Warner 
and had three children, John, 
Augustine and Mildred. Augus- 
tine, the father of George, first 
married Jane Butler, who bore 
him four ciiildren, two of whom, 
Lawrence and Augustine, reached 
maturity. Of si.x children by his 
second marriage, George was the 
eldest, the others being Betty, 
Samuel, John Augustine, Charles 
and Mildred. 
Augustine Washington, the father of George, died 
in 1743, leaving a large landed property. To his 
eldest son, Lawrence, he beipieathed an estate on 
the I'atomac, afterwards known as Mount Vernon, 
and to George he left the parental i-esidence. George 
reieiveci only such education as the neighlwrhood 
schools afforded, save for a short time after he left 
scii'iol^ when he received private instruction in 
(uatheinat'cs. His ?pellin(i v/as rather defective. 



Remarkable stories are told of his great ijhysica. 
strength and development at an early age. He was 
an acknowledged leader among his comjjanions, and 
was early noted for that nobleness of character, fair- 
ness and veracity which characterized' his whole life. 

When George was 1 4 years old he had a desire to go to 
sea, and a midshipman's warrant was secured for him, 
but through the opposition of his mother the idea was 
abandontd. Two years later he was appointed 
surveyor to the immense estate of Lord Fairfax. In 
this business he spent three years in a rough frontier 
life, gaining experience which afterwards proved very 
essential to him. In 1751, though only 19 years of 
age, he was ai)pointed adjutant with the rank of 
major in the Virginia militia, then being trained for 
active service against the French and Indians. Soon 
after this he sailed to the West Indies with his brother 
Lawrence, who went there to restore his health. They 
soon returned, and in the summer of 1752 Lawrence ' 
died, leaving a large fortune to an infant daughter 
who did not long survive him. On her demise the 
estate of Mount Vernon was given to George. 

Upon the arrival of Robert Dinwiddie, as Lieuten- 
ant-Governor of Virginia, in 1752, the militia wa? 
reorganized, and the province divided into four mili- 
tary districts, of which the northern was assigned to 
Washington as adjutant general. Shortly after this 
a very perilous mission was assigned him and ac- 
cei)ted, which others had refused. This was to pro- 
ceed to the French post near Lake Erie in North- 
western Pennsylvania. The distance to be traversed 
was between 500 and 600 miles. Winter was at hand, 
and the jmirncy was to be made without military 
escort, through a territory occupied by Indians. The 



GEORGE WASHINGTON. 



trip was a perilous one, and several limes he came near 
loiiiig liis lite, yet he returned in safety and furnished 
a full and useful report of his expedition. A regiment 
of 300 men was raised in Virginia and put in com- 
mand of Col. Joshua Fry, and Major Washington was 
commissioned lieutenant-colonel. Active war was 
then begun against the French and Indians, in which 
Washington took a most imjxirtant part. In the 
memorable event of July 9, 1755, known as Brad- 
dock's defeat, Washington was almost the only officer 
of distinction who escaped from the calamities of the 
day with life and honor. The other aids of Uraddock 
were disabled early in the action, and Wasliington 
alone was left in that capacity on the field. In a letter 
to his brother he says: "I had four bullets through 
my coat, and two horses shot under me, yet I escaped 
unhurt, though death was leveling my companions 
on every side." An Indian sharpshooter said he was 
not born to be killed by a bullet, for he had taken 
direct aim at him seventeen times, and failed to hit 
him. 

.\fier having been five years in the military service, 
and vainly sought promotion in the royal army, he 
took advantage of the fall of Fort l)uqi;esne and the 
expulsion of the French from the valley of the Ohio, 
(o resign his commission. Soon after he entered the 
Legislature, where, although not a leader, he took an 
active and important part. January 17, 1759, he 
married Mrs. iVIartha (IJandridgc) Custis, the wealthy 
widow of John Parke Custis. 

\Vhen the British Parliament had closed the port 
if Boston, the cry went up throughout the provinces 
that "The cause of Boston is the cause of us all." 
It was then, at the suggestion of Virginia, that a Con- 
gress of all the colonies jvas called to meet at Phila- 
delphia,Sept. 5, 1774, to secure their common liljerties, 
peaceably if possible. To this Congress Col. Wash- 
ington was sent as a delegate. On May 10, 1775, the 
Congress re-assembled, when the hostile intentions of 
England were plainly apparent. The battles of Con- 
cord and Lexington had been fought. Among the 
first acts of this Congr'-ss was the election of a com- 
mander-in-chief of the colonial forces. This high and 
responsible office was conferred upon Washington, 
who was still a member of the Congress. He accepted 
it on June 19, but \\\)on the express condition that he 
receive no salary. He would keep an exact account 
of expenses and expect Congress lo pay them and 
nothing more. It is not the object of this sketch to 
trace the military acts of Washington, to whom th'j 
fortunes and liberties of the people of this country 
were so long confided. The war was conducted by 
him under every possible disadvantage, and while his 
forces often met with reverses, yet he overcame every 
obstacle, and after seven years of heroic devotion 
and matchless skill he gained liberty for the greatest 
nation of earth. On Dec. 2,3, 17S3, Washington, in 
a paiting address of surpassing beauty, resigned his 



commission as commander-in-chief of the army to 
to the Continental Congress sitting at Annapolis. He 
retired immediately to Mount Vernon and resumed 
his occupation as a farmer and planter, shunning ail 
connection with public life. 

In February, 1 7 89, Washington was unanimously 
elected President. In his [jresidential career ht was 
subject to the peculiar trials incidental to a new 
government ; trials from lack of confidence on the part 
of other governments; trials from want ol harmony 
between the different sections of our own country; 
trials from the impoverished condition of the country, 
owmg to the war and want of credit; trials from the 
beginnings of party strife. He was no partisan. His 
clear judgment could discern the golden mean; and 
while perhaps this alone kept our government from 
sinking at the very outset, it left him exposed to 
attacks from both sides, which were often bitter and 
very annoying. 

At the expiration of his first term he was unani- 
mously re-elected. At the end of this term many 
were anxious that he be re-elected, but he absolutely 
refused a third nomination. On the fourth of March, 
1797, at the expiraton of his second term as Presi- 
dent, he returned to his home, hoping to pass there 
his few remaining years free from the annoyances of 
public life. Later in the year, however, his repose 
seemed likely to be interrupted by war with France. 
At the prospect of such a war he was again urged to 
take command of the armies. He chose his sub- 
ordinate officers and left to them the charge of mat- 
ters in the field, which he superintended from his 
home. In accejjting the command he made the 
reservation that he was not to be in the field until 
it was necessary. In the midst of these preparations 
his life was suddenly cut off. December 12, he took 
a severe cold from a ride in the rain, which, settling 
in his throat, produced inflammation, and terminated 
filially on the night of the fourteenth. On the eigh- 
teenth his body was borne wi'h military honors to its 
final resting ])lace, and interred in the family vault at 
Mount Vernon. 

Of the character of Washington it is impossible to 
speak but in terms of the highest respect and ad- 
miration. The more we see of the operations of 
our government, and tlie more deeply we feel the 
difficulty of uniting all opinions in a common interest, 
the more highly we must estimate the force of his tal- 
ent and character, which have been able to challenge 
the reverence of all parties, and principles, and na- 
tions, and to win a fame as extended as the limits 
of the globe, and which we cannot but believe will 
be as lasting as the existence of man. 

The person of Washington was unusally tan, erect 
and well proportioned. His muscular strength was 
great. His features were of a beautiful symmetrv^ 
He commanded respect without any ap]5earance of 
haughtiness, and ever serious without l-*in;r dull. 




Ji^m J^?^m7.j 



SECOND PRESIDENT. 



-3 





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I OHN ADAMS, the second 
^^^. President and the first Vice- 
President of the United Slates, 
was born in Braintree (now 
|£, Quiiicy ),Mass., and about ten 
miles from Boston, Oct. 19, 
1735. His great-grandfather, Henry 
Adams, emigrated from England 
about 1 640, with a family of eight 
sons, and settled at Braintree. The 
parents of John were John and 
Susannah (Boylston) Adams. His 
father was a farmer of limited 
means, to which he added the bus- 
iness of shoemaking. He gave his 
eldest son, John, a classical educa- 
tion at Harvard College. John 
graduated in 1755, and at once took charge of the 
sciiool in Worcester, Mass. This he found but a 
'sci.ool of affliction," from which lie endeavored to 
gain relief by devoting himself, in addition, to the 
study of law. For this pur^xase he placed hipiself 
under the tuition of the only lawyer in the town. He 
had tiiought seriously of the clerical profession 
but seems to have been turned from this by what he 
termed " the frightful engines of ecclesiastical coun- 
cils, cf diabolical malice, and Calvanistic good nature,'' 
of tl.e operations of which he had been a witness in 
his native town. He was well fitted for the legal 
jjrofession, possessing a clear, sonorous voice, being 
ready and fluent of speech, and having ((uick percep- 
tive [Xjwers. He gradually gained practice, and in 
1764 married Abigail Smith, a daughter of a minister, 
and a lady of superior intelligence. Shortly after his 
marriage, («7<<5), the attempt of Parliamentary taxa- 
tion turned him from law to jwlitics. He took initial 
steps toward holdin^ :i town meeting, and the resolu- 



JJDJIM ABAMS. 






. .;;,.i-.:... h, .ivAA,*4fe K.;lvA,».!. 

— »» 




tions he offered on the subject became very populai 
throughout tlie Provnice, and were ado])ted word fur 
word by over forty different towns. He moved to Bos 
ton in 1768, and became one of the most courageous 
and prominent advocatesof the popular cause, and 
was chosen a member of the General Court (the Leg- 
lislaturc) in 1770. 

Mr. Adams was chosen one of the first delegate.^ 
from Massachusetts to the first Continental Congrets, 
which met in 1774. Here he distinguished himsell 
by his capacity for business and for debate, and ad- 
vocated the movement for independence against tb? 
majority of the members. In May, 1776, he mcved 
and carried a resolution in Congress that the Colonies 
should assume the duties of self-government. He 
was a prominent member of the committee of live 
appointed June 11, to prepare a declaration of inde- 
pendence. This article was drawn by Jefferson, but 
on .'Xdams devolved the task of battling it through 
Congress in a three days debate. 

On the day after the Declaration of Independence 
was passed, while his soul was yet warm with th3 
glow of excited feeling, he wrote a letter to his wile 
which, as we read it now, seems to have been dictated 
by the spirit of prophecy. "Yesterday," he says, "t'ne 
greatest ([uestion was decided tliat ever was debated 
in .-Nmerica; and greater, perhaps, never was or wil 
be decided among men. A resolution was passed 
without one dissenting colony, ' that these United 
States are, and of right ought to be, free and inde- 
pendent states. ' The day is passed. The fourth of 
July, 1776, will 1)6 a memorable ejioch in the history 
of America. I am apt to believe it will be celebrated 
by succeeding generations, as the great anniversary 
festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of 
deliverance by solemn acts of devotion to Almighty 
God. It ought to be solemnized with jiomp, shows. 



24 



JOHN ADAMS. 



[jumes, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations 
iio.ii Gill.- end of the continent to the other, from tiiis 
lime forward for ever. Vou will think me transjxarted 
with cntluisiasm, but I am not. I am well aware of 
the toil, and blood and treasure, that it will cost to 
maintain this declaration, and supiwrt and defend 
these States; yet, through all the gloom, I can see the 
rays of light and glory. I can see that the end is 
Wurth more than all the means; and that posterity 
will triumph, altiiough you and I may rue, which I 
hope we shall not." 

In November, 1777, Mr. Adams was ap[)ointed a 
delegate to France and to co-oi)erate with Benijamin 
Franklin and Arthur Lee, who were then in Paris, in 
the endeavor to obtain assistance in arms and money 
from the French Government. This was a severe trial 
to his patriotism, as it separated him from his home, 
compelled him to cross the ocean in winter, and ex- 
jxjsed him to great peril of capture by the British cruis- 
ers, v\ lio were seeking him. He left France June 17, 
1779. In September of the same year he was again 
ciiosen to go to Paris, and there hold himself in readi- 
ness to negotiate a treaty of peace and of commerce 
with Great Britian, as soon as the British Cabinet 
might be found willing to listen to such proiX)sels. He 
sailed for France in November, from there he went to 
H)lland, wiiere he negotiated important loans and 
formed important commercial treaties. 

Finally a treaty of peace with England was signed 
Jan. 21, 1783. The re-action from the excitement, 
toil and anxiety through which Mr. Adams had passed 
threw him into a fever. After suffering from a con- 
tinued fever and becoming feeble and emaciated he 
was advised to go to England to drink the waters of 
B ith. While in England, still droojunganddesiwnd- 
ing, he received dis])atches from his own government 
urging the necessity of his going to /Vmsterdam to 
negotiate another loan. It was winter, his health was 
delicate, yet he immediately set out, and through 
storm, on sea, on horseback and foot,he made the trip. 

February 24, 1785; Congress apix)inted Mr. Adams 
envoy to the Court of St. James. Here he met face 
to face the King of England, who had so long re- 
garded him as a traitor. As England did not 
condescend to appoint a minister to the United 
States, and as Mr. Adams felt that he was accom- 
plishing but little, he sought permission to return to 
nis own country, where he arrived in June, 1788. 

When Washington was first chosen President, John 
Adams, rendered illustiious by his signal services at 
home and abroad, was chosen Vice President. .Again 
at the second election of Washington as President, 
Adams was chosen Vice President. In 1796, Wash- 
ington retired from public life, and Mr. Adams was 
elected President.though not without much oi)])osition. 
Serving in this office four years, he was succeeded l)y 
.Mr. Jefferson, his opponent in politics. 

"JVhile Mr. Adams was Vice President the great 



French Revolution shook the continent of Europe, 
and it was upon this point which he was at issue with 
the majority of his countrymen led by Mr. Jefferson. 
Mr. Adams felt no sympathy with the French people 
in their struggle, for he had no confidence in their 
power of self-government, and he utterly aljhorcd the 
classofatlieist philosophers who he claimed caused it. 
On the other hand Jefferson's sympathies were strongly 
enlisted in behalf of the French people. Hence or- 
iginated the alienation between these distinguished 
men, and two powerful parties were thus soon organ- 
ized, Adams at the head of the one whose sympathies 
were with England and Jefferson led the other in 
sympathy with France. 

The world has seldom seen a spectacle of more 
moral beauty and grandeur, than was presented by the 
old age of Mr. Adams. The violence of party feeling 
had died away, and he had begun to receive that just 
appreciation which, to most men, is not accorded till 
after death. No one could look upon his venerable 
form, and think of what he had done and suffered, 
aiul how he had given up all the prime and strength 
of his life to the public good, without the deepest 
emotion of gratitude and respect. It was his peculiar 
good fortune to witness the complete success of the 
institution which he had been so active in creating and 
supporting. In 1824, his cup of ha])piness was filled 
to the brim, by seeing his son elevated to the highest 
station in the gift of the people. 

The fourth of July, 1826, which completed the half 
century since the signing of the Declaration of Inde- 
pendence, arrived, and there were but three of the 
signers of that immortal instrument left upon the 
earth to hail its morning light. And, as it is 
well known, on that day two of these finished their 
eartlily pilgrimage, a coincidence so remarkable as 
to seem miraculous. For a few days before Mr. 
Adams had been rapidly failing, and on the morning 
of the fourth he found himself too weak to rise from 
his l)ed. On being requested to name a toast for the 
customary celebration of the day, he exclaimed " In- 
DRPENDENCE FOREVER." When the day was ushered 
in, by the ringing of bells and the firing of cannons, 
he was asked by one of his attendants if he knew 
what day it was? He replied, "O yes; it is the glor- 
ious founh of July — God bless it — God bless you all." 
In tlie course of the day he said, "It is a great and 
glorious day." The last words he uttered were, 
"Jefferson survives." But he had, at one o'clock, re- 
signed his spirit into the hands of his God. 

The personal appearance and manners of Mr. 
Adams were not particularly prepossessing. His face, 
as his portrait manifests,was intellectual ard expres- 
sive, but his figure was low and ungraceful, and his 
manners were frequently abrupt and uncourteous. 
He had neither the lofty dignity of Washington, nor 
the engaging elegance and i;racefulness which marked 
the manners and address of Jefferson. 





'tTTZ^ 



THIRD PRESIDENT. 



27 








THOMAS JlEIPIFEHSDi^, 






i~n 



HOMAS JEFFERSON was 
born April 2, 1743, at Sliad- 
°i|^uell, Albenniirle county, Va. 
His parents wore Peter and 
Jane ( Randolph) Jefferson, 
tile former a native of Wales, 
and the latter born in Lon- 
don. To them were born six 
daughters and two sons, of 
whom Thomas was the elder. 
When 14 years of age his 
father died. He received a 
most liberal education, hav- 
ing been kept diligently at school 
from the time he was five years of 
age. lu 1760 he entered William 
end Mary College. Williamsburg was then the seat 
of the Colonial Court, and it was the obodeof fashion 
a.id splendor. Young Jefferson, who was then 17 
years old, lived somewhat expensively, keeping fine 
horses, and much caressed by gay society, yet he 
was earnestly devoted lo his studies, and irreproacha- 
able in his morals. It is strange, however, under 
such influences, that he was not ruined. In the sec- 
ond year of his college course, moved by some un- 
explained inward impulse, he discarded his horses, 
society, and even his favorite violin, to which he had 
previously given much time. I le often devoted fifteen 
hours a day to hard study, allowing himself for e.x- 
ercise only a run in the evening twilight of a mile out 
of the city and back again. He thus attained very 
high intellectual culture, alike excellence in philoso- 
phy and the languages. The most difticult I,atin and 
Creek authors he read with facility. .\ more finished 
scholar has seldom gone forth from college halls; and 



there was not to be found, perhaps, in all Virginia, a 
more pureminded, uiiright, gentlemanly young man. 

Immediately ujjon leaving college he began the 
study of law. For the short time he continued in the 
practice of his profession he rose rapidly and distin- 
guished himself by his energy and accuteness as a 
lawyer. But the times called for greater action. 
The policy of England had awakened the spirit of 
resistance of the American Colonies, and the enlarged 
views which Jefferson had ever entertained, soon led 
him into active political life. In 1769 he was choser 
a member of the Virginia House of Burgesses !n 
1772 he married Mrs. Martha Skelton, a very beauti- 
ful, wealthy and highly accomplished young widow 

Upon "Mr. Jefferson's large estate at Shadwell, th?rp 
was a majestic swell of land, called Monticello, which 
commanded a prospect of wonderful extent and 
beauty. This spot Mr. Jefferson selected lor his new 
home; and here he reared a mansion of modest ye* 
elegant architecture, which, next to Mount Vernoi^ 
became the most distinj^uislied resort in our land. 

In 1775 he was sent to the Cdonial Congress 
where, though a silent member, his abilities as a 
writer and a reasoner soon become known, and hj 
was placed upon a number of important committees, 
and was chairman of the one appointed for the draw- 
ing up of a declaration of inde|)endence. This com- 
mittee consisted of Thomas Jefferson, John Adams. 
Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman and Robert R. 
Livingston. Jefferson, as chairman, was apiKjinted 
to draw up the paper. Franklin and.\dams suggested 
a few verbal changes before ii was subnutted to Con- 
gress. On June 28, a few slight changes were made 
in it by Congress, and it was passed and si-ned July 
4, 1776, What must have been the feelings of that 



28 



THOMAS JEFFERSON. 



man — what the emotions that swelled his breast — 
who was cliargcd with tlie preparation of that Dec- 
laration, which, while it made known the wrongs of 
America, was also to publish her to the world, free, 
sovcrign and independent. It is one of the most re- 
markable papers ever written ; and did noother effort 
\ii tlie mind of its author exist, that alone would be 
sufficient to stamp his name with immortality. 

In 1779 Mr. Jefferson was elected successor to 
Patrick Henry, ^s Governor of Virginia. At one time 
the British officer, Tarleton, sent a secret expedition to 
Moniicello, to capture the Governor. Scarcely five 
minutes elapsed after tlie hurried escape of Mr. Jef- 
ferson and his family, ere his mansion was in posses- 
sion of the British troops. His wife's health, never 
very good, was much injured by this excitement, and 
in the summer of 1782 siie died. 

Mr. Jefferson was elected to Congress in 1783. 
Two yenrs later he was ajipointed Minister Plenipo- 
tentiary to France. Returning to the United States 
in September, 1789, he became Secretary of State 
in Washington's calnnet. This position he resigned 
Jan. r, 1794- In 1797, he was chosen Vice Presi- 
dent, and four years later was elected President over 
Mr. Adams, with Aaron Burr as Vice President. In 
1804 he was re-elected with wonderful unanimity, 
and George Clinton, Vice President. 

The early part of Mr. Jefferson's second adminstra- 
tion was disturbed by an event which threatened the 
tranquility and peace of the Union; this was tlie con- 
spiracy of Aaron Burr. Defeated in the late election 
to the' Vice Presidency, and led on by an unprincipled 
ambition, tiiis extraordinary man formed the plan of a 
military expedition inte the Spanish territories on our 
southwestern frontier, for the purpose of forming there 
a new republic. This has been generally supposed 
was a mere pretext ; and although it has not been 
generally known what his real plans were, there is no 
doubt that they were of a far more dangerous 
character. 

In 1809, at the expiration of the second term for 
which Mr. Jefferson had been elected, he determined 
to retire from political life. For a period of nearly 
forty years, lie had Ijeen continually before the pub- 
.ic, and all tliattinie had been employed in offices of 
the greatest trust and responsibility. Having tliiis de- 
voted the best part of his life to the service of his 
country, he now felt desirous of that rest which his 
declining years required, and uixsn the organization of 
the new administration, in March, 1809, he bid fare- 
well forever to public life, and retired to Monticelio. 

Mr. Jefferson was profuse in his hospitality. Whole 
families came in their coaches with their horses, — 
fathers and mothers, boys and girls, babies and 
nurses, — and remained three and even six months. 
Life at Monticelio, for years, resembled that at a 
fashionable watering-place. 

The fourth of July, 1826, being the fiftieth anniver- 



sary of the Declaration of American Independence: 
great preparations were made in every part of the 
Union for its celebration, as the nation's jubilee, and 
the citizens of Washington, to add to the solemnity 
of the occasion, invited Mr. Jefferson, as the framer. 
and one of the few surviving signers of the Declara- 
tion, to participate in their festivities. But an ill- 
ness, which had been of several weeks duration, and 
had been continually increasing, compelled him to 
decline the invitation. 

On the second of July, the disease under which 
he was laboring left him, but in such a reduced 
state that his medical attendants, entertained nc 
hope of his recovery. From this time he was perfectly 
sensible that his last hour was at hand. On the nex' 
d;iy, which was Monday, he asked of those around 
liim, the day of the month, and on being told if was 
the third of July, he expressed the earnest wish tha 
he might be permitted to breathe tl-e airof the liliietl- 
anniversary. His prayer was heard — that day, wliose 
dawn was hailed with such rapture througii oiu' land, 
burst upon his eyes, and then they were closed for- 
ever. And what a noble consummation of a noljle 
life! To die on that day, — the birthday of a nation,- - 
the day v-fhich his own name and his own act had 
rendered glorious; to die amidst the rejoicings and 
festivities of a wliole nation, who looked up to him, 
as the author, under God, of their greatest blessings, 
was all that was wanting to fill up the record his life. 

Almost at the same hour of his death, the kin- 
dred spirit of the venerable Adams, as if to bear 
him company, left the scene of his earthly honors. 
Hand in hand they had stood forth, the champions of 
freedom; hand in hand, during the dark and desper- 
ate struggle of the Revolution, they had cheered and 
animated their desponding countrj'men; for half a 
century they had labored together for tne good of 
the country; and now hand in hand they depart. 
In their lives they had been united in the same great 
cause of liberty, and in their deaths they were not 
divided. 

In person Mr. Jefferson was tall and thin, rather 
above six feet in height, but well formed; his eyes 
were light, his hair originally red, in after life Ijecame 
white and silvery; his complexion was fair, his fore 
head broad, and his whole countenance intelligent and 
thoughtful. He [wssessed great fortitude of mind as 
well as personal courage; and his command of tem- 
per was such that his oldest and most intimate friends 
never recollected to have seen him in a passion. 
His manners, though dignified, were simple and un- 
affected, and his hospitality was so unbounded that 
all found at his house a ready welcome. In conver- 
sation he was fiuent, eloquent and enthusiastic; and 
his language was remarkably pure and correct. He 
was a finislied classical scholar, and in his writings is 
discernable the care with wliitli he formed his style 
upon the best models of antiquity. 




'I -•,^ 



/ cZyO<^^<^ .eyCC £,<^yCC^ 



^'S. 



FOURTH PRESIDENT. 



3» 



priQES npDisoi]. 





AMES MADISON, "Father 
^ of the Constitution," and fourth 
"President of the United States, 
was born March i6, 1757, and 
died at his home in Virginia, 
•-^' Jane 28, 1836. The name of 
James Madison is inseparably con- 
nected with most of the important 
events in that heroic period of our 
country during which the founda- 
tions of this great repubUc were 
laid. He was the last of the founders 
of the Constitution of the United 
States to lie called to his eternal 
reward. 

The Madison family were among 
the early emigrants to the New World, 
landing ujwn the shores of the Chesa- 
])eake but 15 years after the settle- 
ment of Jamestown. The father of 
James Madison was an opulent 
planter, residing uix)n a very fine es- 
tate called " Montpelier," Orange Co., 
Va. The mansion was situated in 
the midst of scenery highly pictur- 
esque and romantic, on the west side 
of South-west Mountain, at the fool of 
Blue Ridge. It was but 25 miles from the home of 
Jefferson at Monticello. The closest personal and 
political attachment existed between these illustrious 
men, from their early youth until death. 

The early education of Mr. Madison was conducted 
mostly at home under a private tutor. At the age of 
18 he was sent to Princeton College, in New Jersey. 
Here he applied himself to study with the most im- 




prudent zeal; allowing himself, for months, but three 
hours' sleep out of the 24. His health thus became so 
seriously impaired that lie never recovered any vigor 
of constitution. Me graduated in 1771. with a feeble 
body, with a character of utmost purity, and with a 
mind highly disciplined and richly stored with learning 
wjiich embellished and gave proficiency to his subsf 
quent career. 

Returning to Virginia, he commenced the study of 
law and a course of extensive and systematic reading. 
This educational course, the spirit of the times in 
which he lived, and the society with which he asso- 
ciated, all combined to inspire him with a strong 
love of liberty, and to train him for his life-work of 
a statesman. Being naturally of a religious turn of 
mind, ;ind his frail health leading him to think that 
his life was not to be long, he directed especial atten- 
tion to theological studies. Endowed with a mind 
singularly free from passion and i)rejudice, and with 
almost unetpialled i)owers of reasoning, he weighed 
all the arguments for and against revealed religion, 
until his faith became so established as never to 
be shaken. 

In the spring of 1776, when 26 years of age, he 
was elected a member of the Virginia Convention, to 
frame the constitution of the State. The next year 
(1777), he was a candidate for the General .\ssembly. 
He refused to treat the whisky-lovir.g voters, and 
consequently lost his election ; but those who had 
witnessed the talent, energy and public spirit of the 
modest young man, enlisted themselves in his behalf, 
and he was ap]X)inted to the Executive Council. 

Both Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson were 
Governors of Virginia while Mr. Madison remained 
member of the Council ; and their appreciation of his 



3* 



JAMES MADISON. 



intellectual, social and moral worth, contributed not 
a little to his subsequent eminence. In the year 
1780, he was elected a memljer of the Continental 
Congress. Here he met the most illustrious men in 
our land, and he was immediately assigned to one of 
the most conspicuous positions among them. 

For three years Mr. Madison continued in Con- 
gress, one of its most active and intluenlial members. 
In the year 1784, his term having expired, he was 
elected a member of the Virginia Legislature. 

No man felt more deeply than Mr. Madison the 
utter iuetticiency of the old confederacy, with no na- 
tional government, with no power to form treaties 
which would be binding, or to enforce law. There 
was not any State more prominent than Virginia in 
the declaration, that an efficient national government 
must be formed. In January, 1786, Mr. Madison 
carried a resolution through the Ceneral Asseml)ly of 
Virginia, inviting the other States to appoint commis- 
sioners to meet in convention at Annapolis to discuss 
this subject. Five States only were re|>rcsented. The 
convention, however, issued another call, drawn up 
by Mr. Madison, urging all the States to send their 
delegates to Pliihidel[)liia, in May, 1787, to draft 
a Constitution for the United States, to take the place 
of that Confederate League. The delegates met at 
the time appointed. Every State but Rhode Island 
was represented. George Washington was chosen 
president of the convention; and the present Consti- 
tution of the United States was then and there formed. 
There was, perhaps, no mind and no pen more ac- 
tive in framing this immortal document than the mind 
and the pen of James Madison. 

Tlie Constitution, adopted by a vote 8[ to 79, was 
to be presented to the several States for acceptance. 
But grave solicitude was felt. Should it be rejected 
we should be left but a conglomeration of independent 
States, with but little power at home and little respect 
abroad. Mr. Madison was selected by the conven- 
tion to draw up an address to the people of the United 
States, expounding the principles of the Constitution, 
and urging its adoption. There was great opposition 
to it at first, but it at length triumphed over all, and 
went into effect in 1789. 

Mr. Madison was elected to the House of Rejire- 
sentatives in the first Congress, and soon became the 
avowed leader of the Republican party. While in 
New York attending Congress, he met Mrs. Todd, a 
young widow of remarkable [xjwer of fascination, 
whom he married. She was in perspn and ciiaracter 
(jueenly, and probably no lady has thus far occu])ied 
so prominent a position in the very peculiar society 
which has constituted our republican court as Mrs. 
Midison. 

Mr. Madison served as Secretary ot State under 
Jefferson, and at the close of his administration 
was chosen President. At this time the encroach- 
ments of England had brought us to the verge of war. , 



British orders in council destioyed our commerce, and 
our flag was e.vposed to constant insult. Mr. Madison 
was a man of peace. Scholarly in his taste, retiring 
in his disposition, war had no charms for him. But the 
meekest s|)irit can be roused. It makes one's blood 
boil, even now, to think of an American ship brought 
to, ujjon the ocean, by the guns of an English cruiser. 
A young lieutenant steps on board and orders the 
crew to be paraded before him. With great nonchal- 
ance he selects any number whom he may please to 
designate as British subjects ; orders them down the 
ship's side into his boat; and places them pn the gun- 
deck of his man-of-war, to fight, by compulsion, the 
battles of England. This right of search and im- 
pressment, no efforts of our Government could induce 
the British cabinet to relinquish. 

On the i8th of June, 1812, President Madison gava 
his approval to an act of Congress declaring war 
against (ireat Britain. Notwithstanding the bitter 
hostility of the Federal party to the war, the country 
in general aiiproved ; and i\Ir. Madison, on the 4th 
of March, 1S13, was re-elected by a huge majority, 
and entered upon his second term of office. This is 
not the place to describe the various adventures of 
this war on the land and on the water. Our infan. 
navy then laid the foundations of its renown in grap- 
pling wiih the most formidable power which ever 
swept the seas. The contest commenced in earnest 
by the appearance of a British flett, early in Februaiy, 
18 1 3, in Chesapeake Bay, declaring nearly the whole 
coast of the United States under blockade. 

The Emperor of Russia offered his services as me 
ditator. America accepted ; England refused. A Brit- 
ish force of five thousand men landed on the banks 
of the Patuxet River, near its entrance into Chesa- 
peake Bay, and marched rapidly, by way of Bladens- 
burg, upon Washington. 

Tiie straggling little city of Washington was thrown 
into consternation. The cannon of the brief conflict 
at Bladensburg echoed through the streets of the 
metropolis. The whole population fled from the city. 
The President, leaving Mrs. Madison in the Wl.iie 
House, with her carriage drawn up at the doer tc 
await his speedy return, hurried to meet the officers 
in a council of war. He met our troops utterly routed, 
and he could not go back without danger of bei^g 
captured. But few hours elapsed ere the Presidential 
Mansion, the Capitol, and all the public buildings in 
Washington were in flames. 

The war closed after two years of fighting, and or. 
Feb. 13, i8i5,the treaty of peace was signed atGhent. 

On the 4th of March, 18x7, his second term of 
office expired, and he resigned the Presidential chair 
to his friend, James Monroe. He retired to his beau- 
tiful home at Montpelier, and there passed the re- 
mainder of his days. On June 28, 1836, then at the 
age of 85 years, he fell asleep in death. Mrs. Madi- 
son died July 12, 1849, 




7 



"yc^t-^ C-;^^^ 



FIFTH PRESIDENT. 




If WW& n]oi]r^OE. 



* 



dp^v^ia^' 





AMES MONROE, the fifth 
I'rcsidtntof The United States, 
was born in Westmoreland Co., 
Va., April 28, 1758. His early 
life was passed at the place of 
nativity. Hij ancestors had for 
many years resided in the prov- 
ince in which lie was born. When, 
at 17 years of age, in the process 
' \^ of coni[)leting his education at 
William and Mary College, the Co- 
lonial Congress assembled at Phila- 
delphia to deliberate \\\iO\\ the un- 
just and manifold oppressions of 
Great Hritian, declared tlie separa- 
tion of the Colonies, and promul- 
gated the Declaration of Indepen- 
dence. Had lie been born ten years before it is highly 
probaljle that he would have been one of the signers 
of that celebrated instrument. At this time he left 
school and enlisted among the patriots. 

He joined the army when everything looked hoiie- 
less and gloomy. The number of deserters increased 
from day to day. The invading armies came |)ouring 
in ; and the tories not only favored the cause of the 
mother country, but disheartened the new recruits, 
who were sufficiently terrified at the prospect of con- 
tending with an enemy whom they had been taught 
to deem invincible. To such brave spirits as James 
Monroe, who went right onward, undismayed through 
difficulty and danger, the United States owe their 
political emancipation. The young cadet joined the 
ranks, and esjxjused the cause of his injured country, 
with a firm determination to live or die with her strife 



for liberty. Firmly yet sadly he shared in the mel- 
ancholy retreat from Harleam Heights and Whif: 
Plains, and accompanied the dispirited army as it fled 
before its foes through New Jersey. In four nu.ntiiK 
after the Declaration of Independence, the patriots 
liad been beaten in seven battles. At the battle of 
Trenton he led the vanguard, and, in the act of charg- 
ing upon the enemy he received a wound in the lef*. 
shoulder. 

As a reward for his bravery, Mr. Monroe was pro- 
moted a captain of infantry ; and, having recovered 
from his wound, he rejoined the army. He, however, 
receded from the line of promotion, by becoming an 
officer in the staff of Lord Sterling. During the cam- 
paigns of 1777 and 1778, in the actions of Brandy 
wine, Germantown and Monmouth, he continued 
aid-de-canip; but becoming desirous to regain his 
position in the army, he exerted himself to collect a 
regiment for the Virginia line. This scheme failed 
owing to the exhausted condition of the State. \}\)o\\ 
this failure he entered the office of Mr. Jefferson, at 
that period Governor, and pursued, with considerable 
ardor, the study of common law. He did not, however, 
entirely lay aside the knapsack for the green bag; 
but on the invasions of the enemy, served as a volun 
teer, during the two years of his legal pursuits. 

In 17S2, he was elected from King George county, 
a member of the Leglislature of Virginia, and by that 
lx)dy he was elevated to a seat in the Executive 
Council. He was thus honored with the c-onfidence 
of his fellow citizens at 23 years of age ; and having 
at this early period displayed some of that ability 
and aptitude for legisl.ition, which were afterwards 
employed with unremittirg energy for the public good, 



36 



JAMES MONROE. 



he was in the succeeding year chosen a member of 
tlie Congress of the United States. 
Deeply as Mr. Monroe ft;lt the imperfe* tionsof theold 
Confederacy, he was opposed to tlie new Constitution, 
ihiiiking, with many others of 'he Re|)ul>lican party, 
'.hat it gave too much powur to tlic Central Government, 
and not enough to the individual States. Still he re- 
tained the esteem of his friends who were its warm 
supporters, and who, notwithstanding his opposition 
secured its ado[)tion. In 1789, he became a member 
i.f tlie United States Senate; which office he held for 
four years. Every month the line of distinction be- 
tween the two great parties which divided the nation, 
the Federal and the Republican, was growing more 
distinct. The two prominent ideas which now sep- 
arated them were, that the Republican party was in 
sympathy with France, and also in favor of such a 
strict construction of the Constitution as to give the 
Central Government as little power, and the State 
Governments as much power, as the Constitution would 
warrant. The. Federalists sympathized with England, 
and were in favor of a liberal construction of the Con- 
stitution, which would give as much ]30wer to the 
('entral Government as that document could possibly 
authorize. 

The leading Federalists and Republicans were 
alike noble men, consecrating all their energies to the 
good of the nation. Two more honest men or more 
pure patriots than John Adams the Federalist, and 
James Monroe the Republican, never breathed. In 
iniilding up this majestic nation, which is destined 
to eclipse all Grecian and Assyrian greatness, the com- 
bination of their antagonism was needed to create the 
light equilibrium. And yet each in his day was de- 
nounced as almost a demon. 

Washington was then President. England had es- 
poused the cause of the Bourbons against the princi- 
ples of the French Revolution. All Europe was drawn 
into the conflict. We were feeble and far away. 
Washington issued a proclamation of neutrality be- 
tween these contending powers. France had helped 
us in the struggle for our liberties. All the despotisms 
of Europe were now coml lined to prevent the French 
from escaping from a tyranny a thousand-fold worse 
than that which we had endured. Col. Monroe, more 
magnanimous than prudent, was anxious that, at 
wiiatever hazard, we should help our old allies in 
their extremity. It was the impulse of a generous 
and noble nature. He violently opposed the Pres- 
ident's proclamation as ungrateful and wanting in 
magnanimity. 

Washington, who could appreciate such a character, 
developed his calm, serene, almost divine greatness, 
by apiiointing that very James Monroe, who was de- 
nouncing the policy of the Government, as the minister 
of that Government to the Republic of France. Mr. 
Monroe was welcomed by the National Convention 
in France with the most enthusiastic demonstrations. 



Shortly after his return to this countrv, Mr. Mon- 
roe was elected Governor of Virginia, and held the 
office for three yeais. He was again sent to France to 
co-operate with Chancellor Livingston in obtaining 
the vast territory then known as liie Province of 
Louisiana, which France had but shortly before ob- 
tained from Spain. Tneir united efforts were suc- 
cessful. For the comparatively small sum of fifteen 
millions of dollars, the entire territory of Orleans and 
district of Louisiana were added to tlie United States. 
This was probably the largest transter of real estate 
which was ever made in all the history of the world. 

From France Mr. Monroe went to England to ob- 
tain from that country some recognition of our 
rights as neutrals, and to remonstrate against those 
odious impressments of our seamen. But Eng- 
land was unrelenting. He again returned to Eng- 
land on the same mission, but could receive no 
redress. He returned to his home and was again 
chosen Governor of Virginia. This he soon resigned 
to accept the position of Secretary of State under 
Madison. While in this office war with England was 
declared, the Secretary of War resigned, and during 
these trying times, the duties of the War Department 
were also put upon him. He was truly the armor- 
bearer of President Madison, and the most efficient 
business man in his cabinet. Upon the return of 
peace he resigned the Department of War, but con- 
tinued in the office of Secretary of State until the ex- 
piration of Mr. Madison's adminstration. At the elec 
tion held the previous autumn Mr. Monroe himself had 
been chosen President with but little o|)position, and 
upon March 4, 1817, was inaugurated. Four years 
later he was elected for a second term. 

Among the imi)ortant measures of his Presidency 
were the cession of Florida to the United States ; the 
Missouri Compromise, and the "Monroe doctrine.'' 

This famous doctrine, since known as the " Monroe 
doctrine," was enunciated by him in 1823. h\. that 
time the United States had recognized the independ- 
ence of the South American states, and did not wish 
to have European powers longer attempting to sub- 
due portions of the American Continent. The doctrine 
is as follows: "That we should consider any attempt 
on the part of European powers to extend their sys- 
tem to any portion of this heniispliere as dangerous 
to our peace and safety," and "that we could not 
view any interposition for the purpose of oppressing 
or controlling American governments or provinces in 
any other light than as a manifestation by Einopean 
powers of an unfriendly disposition toward the L^nited 
States." This doctrine immediately affected the course 
of foreign governinents, and has become the approved 
sentiment of the L^nited States. 

At the end of his fecond term Mr Monroe retired 
to his home in Virginia, where he lived until 1830, 
when he went to New York to live with his son-in- 
law. In that city he died, on the 4th of July, 1831 




J . 5 , '^ ' <''y>y\J 



SIXTH PRESIDENT. 



l^ 




^P^A^^r ■rjtV^'^9 -Til J^tC'^/iV^'B* »Vl\^"'»'^>iv^'B*^'l»^ 






3OF2I] QUII]6Y 71D^n]S. 



i^. 





\^ OHN QUINCY ADAMS, the 

I9 sixth President of the United 

?* States, was born in the rural 

lonie of his honored father. 

ohn Adams, m Quincy, Mass , 

~~' '">^' o" f'lc ' ''li t-f .U'b'i '767- His 
;,; ji / mother, a woman of exaUed 
''^fr-Jls "orth, wattlied over his cliildhood 
during the ahiiost constant ab- 
sence of his father. When but 
eight years of age, he stood with 
his mother on an eminence, hsten- 
ing to the booniina of the great l)at- 
tle on Bunker's Hill, and gazing on 
upon the smoke and flames billow- 
ing up from the conflagration of 
Cliarlestown. 

When but eleven years old he 
took a tearful adieu of his mother, 
to sail with his fattier for Europe, 
through a fleet ol hostile British cruisers. The bright, 
animated boy spent a year and a half in I'aiis, where 
his father was associated with Franklin and Lee as 
minister i)ieni[iotentiary. His intelligence attracted 
the notice of these distinguished men, and he received 
from them flattering marks of attention. 

Mr. John Adams had scarcely returned to this 
coui.try, in 1779, ere he was again sent abroad Again 
•Of.n Quincy accompanied his father. At Paris he 
applied himself with great diligence, for six months, 
to .■••udy; then accompained his father to Holland, 
where he entered, first a school in .\msterdam, then 
the University at Leyden. About a year from this 
time, in 1781, when the manly boy was but fourteen 
yea's of age, he was selected by Mr. Dana, our min- 
ister to the Russian court, as his jjrivate secretary. 

In this school of incessant lal)or and of enoliling 
culture he spent fourteen months, and then returned 
to Holland through .Sweden, Denmark, Hamburg and 
Bremen. This long journey he took alone, in the 
winter, when in his sixteenth year. Again he resumed 
his studies, under a priv.ite tutor, at Hague. Thence, 



in the spring of 1782, he accompanied his father ir 
Paris, traveling leisurely, and forming actpiaintance 
with the most distinguished men on the Continent 
examining arcnitectural remains, galleries of paintings 
and all renowned works of art. .At Paris he again 
became associated with the most illustrious men of 
all lands in the contemplations of the loftiest temporal 
themes which can engross the human mind. Afte" 
a short visit to England he returned to Paris, and 
consecrated all his energies to study until May, 1785, 
when he returned to .America. To a brilliant young 
man of eighteen, who had seen much of the world, 
and who was familiar with the etiipiette of courts, a 
residence with his father in London, under such cir- 
cumstances, must have been extremely attractive 
but with judgment very rare in one of his age, he pre- 
ferred to return to America to complete his education 
in an .-Xmerican college. He wished then to study 
law, that with an honorable profession, he might be 
able to obtain an independent support. 

Upon leaving Harvard College, at theageof twentj- 
he studied law for three years. In June, 1794, be- 
ing then but twenty-seven years of age, he was ap- 
pointed by Washington, resident minister at the 
Netherlands. Sailing from Boston in July, he reached 
London in October, where he was immediately admit- 
ted to the deliberations of Messrs. Jay and Pinckney, 
assisting them in negotiating a commercial treatv with 
(jieat Brilian. After thus spending a fortnight ir, 
London, he proceeded to the Hague. 

In July, 1797, he left the Hague to go to Portugal as 
minister pleni]iotenliary. On his way to Portugal 
upon arriving in London, he met with desi)atches 
directing him to the court of Beilin, but re(|uesling 
him to remain in London until he should receive his 
instructions. While waiting he was niairied to a?. 
American lady to whom he had been previously en- 
gaged, — Miss Louisa Catherine Johnson, daughte- 
of Mr. Joshua Johnson, .American con.sid in I ondon ; 
a lady endownd with that beauty and those accom- 
|>lishment which eminently filled her to move In Ui% 
elevated sphere for which she was destined. 



40 



JOHN QUINCY ADAMS. 



He reached Berlin with his wife in November, 1797 ; 

where he remained until July, 1799, when, havingful- 
fiUed all the pur|x3ses of his mission, he solicited his 
recall. 

Soon after his return, in 1802, he was chosen to 
the Senate of Massai.liusetts, from Boston, and then 
was elected Senator of the United States for six years, 
from the 4th of March, 1804. His reputation, his 
ability and his experience, placed liim immediately 
among the most prominent and influential memhers 
of that body. Especially did he sustain the Govern- 
ment in its measures of resistance to the encroach- 
ments of lingland, destroying our commerce and in- 
sulting our flag. There was no man in America more 
f nuiliar with the arrogance of the British court upon 
these points, and no one more resolved to present 
a firm resistance. 

In 1809, Madison succeeded Jefferson in the Pres- 
idential chair, and he immediately nominated John 
Quincy Adams minister to St. PetersDurg. Resign- 
ing his professorship in Harvard College, he embarked 
at Boston, in August, 1809. 

While in Russia, Mr. Adams was an intense stu- 
dent. He devoted his attention to the language and 
history of Russia; to the Chinese trade; to tlie 
European system of weights, measures, and coins ; to 
. the climate and astronomical observations ; while he 
Kept up a familiar acquaintance with the Greek and 
i,atin classics. In all the universities of Euro[)e, a 
more accomplished scholar could scarcely be found. 
Alt through life the Bible constituted an importaiU 
part of his studies. It was his rule to read live 
chapters every day. 

On the 4th of March, 1817, Mr. Monroe took the 
Presidential chair, and immediately appointed Mr. 
Adams Secretary of State. Taking leave of his num- 
erous friends in public and private life in Europe, he 
sailed in June, 1819, for the United States. On the 
iSth of August, he again crossed the threshold of his 
home in Quincy. During the eight years of Mr. Mon- 
roe's administration, Mr. Adams continued Secretary 
of State. 

Some time before the close of Mr. Monroe's second 
term of ofl^ce, new candidates began to be presented 
for the Presidency. The friends of Mr. Adams brought 
forward his name. It was an exciting campaign. 
P.irty spirit was never more bitter. Two InuKlred and 
sixty electoral votes were cast. Andrew Jackson re- 
ceived nine'ty-nine; John Quincy Adams, eighty-four; 
William H. Crawford, forty -one; Henry Clay, thirty- 
se/en. As there was no choice by the people, the 
(]uestion went to the House of Representatives. Mr. 
Clay gave the vote of Kentucky to Mr. Adams, and 
he was elected. 

The friends of all the disappointed candidates now 
combined in a venomous and persistent assault upon 
Mr. .'\danis. There is nothing more disgraceful in 
'>>^ ivist histor)' of our country than the abuse which 



»vas poured in one uninterrupted stream, upon this 
high-minded, upright; patriotic man. There never was 
an administration more pure in principles, more con- 
scientiously devoted to the best interests of the coun- 
try, than that of John Quincy Adams; and never, per- 
haps, was there an administration more unscrupu- 
lously and outrageously assailed. 

Mr. Adams was, to a very remarkable degree, ab- 
stemious and temperate in his habits; always rising 
early, and taking much exercise. When at his homein 
Quincy, he has been known to walk, before breakfast., 
seven miles to Boston. In Washington, it was said 
that he was the first man up in the city, ligliting his 
own fire and applying himself to work in his library 
often long before dawn. 

On the 4th of March, 1829, Mr. Adams retired 
from the Presidency, and was succeeded by Andrew 
Jackson. John C. Calhoun was elected Vice Presi- 
dent. The slavery question now began to assume 
|X)rientous magnitude. Mr. Adams returned to 
Quincy and to his studies, which he pursued with un- 
abated zeal. But he was not long permitted to re- 
main in retirement. In November, 1830, he was 
elected representative to Congress. For seventeen 
years, until his death, he occupied the post as repre- 
sentative, towering above all his peers, ever readv to 
do brave biUtle'for freedom, and winning the title of 
"the old man eloquent." Upon taking his seat in 
the House, he announced that he should hold him- 
self bound to no party. Probably there never was a 
member more devoted to his duties. He was usually 
the first in his place in the morning, and the last to 
leave his seat in the evening. Not a measure could 
be brought forward and escape his scrutiny. The 
battle which Mr. Adams fought, almost singly, against 
the proslavery party in the Government, was sublime 
in Its moral daring and heroism. For persisting in 
presenting petitions for the abolition of slavery, he 
was threatened with indictment by the grand jury, 
with expulsion from the House, with assassination : 
but no threats cotild intimidate him, and his final 
triumph was complete. 

It has been said of President Adams, that when his 
body was bent and his hair silvered by the lapse of 
fourscore years, yielding to the simjile faith of a little 
child, he was accustomed to repeat every night, before 
he slept, the ])ra)er which his mother taught him in 
his infant years. 

On the 2ist of February, 1848, he rose on the floor 
of Congress, with a paper in his hand, to address the 
speaker. Suddenly he fell, again stricken by jiaraly- 
sis, and was caught in the arms of those around him. 
For a time he was senseless, as he was conveyed to 
the sofa in the rotunda. With reviving conscious- 
ness, he opened his eyes, looked calmly around and 
said " This is the end of earth .-"then after a inoment's 
pause he added, ^'■J a»i content" These were the 
last words of the grand " Old Man Eloquent." 



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NDREVV JACKSON, the 
seventh President of the 
'United States, was born in 
W'axhaw settlement, N. C, 
March 15, 1767, a few days 
after his father's death. His 
parents were poor emigrants 
from Ireland, and took up 
their abode in Waxhaw set- 
tlement, where they lived in 
deepest poverty. 
Andrew, or Andy, as he was 
universally called, grew up a very 
rough, rude, turbident boy. His 
features were coarse, his form un- 
gainly; and there was but very 
little in his character, made visible, which was at- 
tractive. 

When only thirteen years old he joined the volun- 
teers of Carolina against the British invasion. In 
1781, he and his brother Robert were captured and 
imprisoned for a time at Camden. A British officer 
ordered him to brush his mud-spattered boots. " I am 
a prisoner of war, not your servant," was the reply of 
the dauntless boy. 

Tiie brute drew his sword, and aimed a desperate 
Dlow at the head of the helpless young prisoner. 
Andrew raised his hand, and thus received two fear- 
ful gashes, — one on the hand and tiie other ujxjn the 
head. The officer then turned to his brother Robert 
with the same demand. He also refused, and re- 
ceived a blow from the keen-edged sabre, which quite 
disabled him, and wliich probably soon after caused 
his death. They suffered much other ill-treatment, and 
were finally stricken with the small-jwx. Their 
mother was successful 'n 'I'otaining their exchange. 



and look her sick boys home. After a long illnoss 
Andrew recovered, and the death of his mother -ioon 
left him entirely friendless. 

Andrew supjwrted himself in various ways, si?.has 
working at the saddler's trade, teaching school and 
clerking in a general store, until 1784, when he 
entered a law office at Salisbury, N. C. He, however, 
gave more attention to the wild amusements of the 
times than to his studies. In 1788, he was apixjinted 
solicitor for the western district of North Carolina, of 
which Tennessee was then a part. This involved 
many long and tedious journeys amid dangers of 
every kind, but Andrew Jackson never knew fear, 
and the Indians had no desire to repeat a skirmish 
witn the Sharp Knife. 

In 179 1, Mr. Jackson was married to a woman who 
supposed herself divorced from her former husband. 
Great was the surprise of both parties, two years later, 
to find that the conditions of the divorce had just been 
definitely settled by the first husband. The marriage 
ceremony was performed a second time, but the occur- 
rence was often used by his enemies to bring Mr. 
Jackson into disfavor. 

During these years he worked hard at his profes- 
sion, and frequently had one or more duels on hand, 
one of which, when he killed Dickenson, was espec- 
ially disgraceful. % 

In January, 1796, the Territory of Tennessee then 
containing nearly eighty thousand inhabitants, the 
people met in convention at Knoxville to frame a con- 
stitution. Five were sent from each of the eleven 
counties, .\ndrew Jackson was one of the delegates. 
The new State was entitled to but one mcml cr in. 
the National House of Representatives. Andrew Jack-! 
son was chosen that member. Mounting his horse he 
rode to Philedelphia, where Congress then held its 



44 



ANDRE iV JACKSON. 



sc:sjio.is, — .1 distance of about eight hundred miles. 

Jackson was an earnest advocate of the Heiiio- 
cratic pirty. Jefferson was liis idol. He admired 
Bonaparte, loved France and hated England. As Mr. 
Jatkson took his seat, Gon. Washington, whose 
second term of office was then e-xpiiing, delivered his 
last speech to Congress. A committee drew up a 
coni|)limentary address in reply. Andrew Jackson 
did not a[)prove of the address, and was one of the 
twelve who voted against it. He was not willing to 
say that Gen. Washington's adminsiration had been 
" wise, firm and patriotic." 

Mr. Jackson was elected to the United States 
Senate in 1797, but soon resigned and returned home. 
Soon after he was chosen Judge of the .Supreme Court 
of his State, which position he held f-.r si.\ years. 

Wiien the war of 1S12 with Great Brilian com- 
menced, JMadison occupied the Presidential chair. 
Aaron li.irr sent word to the President that there was 
an unknown man in the West, Andrew Jackson, who 
would do credit to a commission if one were con- 
ferred u(K)n him. Just at that time Gen. Jackson 
offeied his services and those of twenty-five hundred 
volunteers. His offer was accejjted, and the troops 
were assembled at Nashville. 

As the British were hourly expected to make an at- 
tack i.pon New Orleans, where Gen Wilkinson was 
in command, he was ordered to descend the river 
with fifteen hundred troops to aid \Vilkinson. The 
e.\pedition reached Natchez; and after a delay of sev- 
eral weeks there, without accomplishing anything, 
the men were ordered back to their homes. But the 
energy Gen. Jackson had dis[)layed, and his entire 
devotion to tiie comrfort of his soldiers, won him 
golden oi)inions; and he became the most popular 
man in the State. It was in this expedition that his 
toughness gave him the nickname of ''Old Hickory." 

Soon after this, wiiile attempting to horsewhip Col. 
Thomas H. Benton, for a remark that gentleman 
made about his taking a part as second in a duel, in 
which a younger brother of Benton's was engaged, 
he received two severe pi.stol wounds. While he was 
lingering upon a bed of suffering news came that the 
Indians, who had combined under Tecumseh from 
Florida to the Lakes, to exterminate the white set- 
tlers, were committing the most awful ravages. De- 
cisive action became^ecessary. Gen. Jackson, with 
his fractured bone just beginning to heal, his arm in 
a sling, and unable to mount his horse without assis- 
tance, gave his amazing energies to the raising of an 
army to rendezvous at Fayettesville, .Mabama. 

The Creek Indians had established a strong fort on 
one of the bcndsof the Tallapoosa River, near the cen- 
ter of Alabama, about fifty miles below Fort Sirother. 
With an army of two thousand men, Gen. Jackson 
traversed the pathless wilderness in a march of eleven 
days. He readied their fort, called Tohopeka or 
Horse-shoe, on tV>e 27th of March. 1814. The bend 



of the river enclosed nearly one hundred acres of 
tangled forest and wild ravine. Across the narrow 
neck the Indians had constructed a formidable breast- 
work of logs and brush. Here nine hundred warriors, 
with an ample suplyof arms were assembled. 

The fort was stormed. The fight was utterly des- 
perate. Not an Indian would accept of quarter. When 
l>leeding and dying, they would fight those who en- 
deavored to spare their lives. From ten in the morn- 
ing until dark, the battle raged. The carnage was 
awful and revolting. Some threw themselves into the 
river; but the unerring bullet struck their heads as 
they swam. Nearly everyone of the nine hundred war- 
rios were killed k few probal)ly, in the night, swam 
the river and escaped. This ended the war. The 
[rawer of the Creeks was broken forever. This bold 
plunge into the wilderness, with itsterriffic slaughter, 
so appalled the savages, that the haggard remnants 
of the bands caiue to the cam]), begging for peace. 

This closing of the Creek war enabled us to con- 
centrate all our militia upon the British, who were the 
allies of the Indians No man of less resolute will 
than (ien. Jackson could have conducted tiiis Indian 
campaign to so successful an issue Immediately he 
was appointed major-general. 

Late in August, with an army of two thousand 
men, on a rushing march. Gen. Jackson came to 
Mobile. A British fleet came from Pensacola, landed 
a force upon the beach, anchored near the little fort, 
and from both shi|) and shore commenced a furious 
assault. The battle was long and doubtful. ,\t lenizlh 
one of the ships was blown up and the rest retired. 

Garrisoning Mobile, where he had taken his little 
army, he moved his troops to New Orleans, 
.\nd the battle of New Orleans which soon ensued, 
was in reality a very arduous campaign. This won 
for Gen. Jackson an imperishable name. Here his 
troops, which numbered about four thousand men, 
won a signal victory over the British army of about 
nine thousand. His loss was but thirteen, while the 
loss of the British was two thousand six hundred. 

The name of Gen. Jackson soon began to be men- 
tioned in connection with the Presidency, but, in 1824, 
he was defeated by Mr. Adams. He was, however, 
successful in the election of 182S, and was re-elected 
for a second term in 1832. In 1829, just before he 
assumed the reins of the government, he met with 
the most terrible affliction of his life in the death of 
his wife, whom he had loved with a devotion which has 
perhaps never been surpassed. From the shock of 
her death he never recovered. 

His administration was one of tlie most memorable 
in the annals of our country; apiilauded by one party, 
condemned by the other. No man had more bitter 
enemies or warmer friends. .\t the expiration of his 
two terms of office he retired to the Hermitage, where 
he died June 8, 1845. The last years of Mr. Jack- 
son's life were that of a devoted Christian man. 



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EIGHTH PRESIDENT. 



•47 - 













ARTIN VAN BUREN, the 
eighth President of the 
United States, was born at 
Kinderhook, N. Y., Dec. 5, 
1782. He died at the same 
ilace, July 24, 1862. His 
body rests in the cemetery 
at Kinderhook. Above it is 
a plain granite sh.ift fifteen feet 
high, bearing a simple inscription 
about hall way up on one face. 
The lot is unfenced, unbordered 
or unbounded by shrub or flower. 

There is but little in llie life of Martin Van Buren 
of romantic interest. He fought no battles, engaged 
in no wild adventures. Though his life was stormy in 
fwlitical and intellectual conflicts, and he gained many 
signal victories, jiis days passed uneventful in those 
incidents which give zest to biograjihy. His an- 
cestors, as his name indicates, were of Dutch origin, 
and were among the earliest emigrants from Holland 
to the banks of the Hudson. His father was a farmer, 
residing in the old town of Kinderhook. His mother, 
also of Dutch lineage, was a woman of superior intel- 
ligence and e.xemplary piety. 

Aii was decidedly a precocious boy, developing un- 
usual activity, vigor and strength of mind. At the 
age of fourteen, he had finished his academic studies 
in his native village, and commenced the study of 
law. As he had not a collegiate education, seven 
years of study in a law-office were re [uired of him 
liefore he could be admitted to the bar. Insjjired with 
u lofiy ambiiion, and conscious of his |X)wers, he pur- 
sued his studies with indefitig.ible industry. After 
spending si.\ year-; in an office in ^ii native village, 



he went to the city of New York, and prosecuted his 
studies for the seventh year. 

In 1803, Mr. Van Buren, then twenty-one years of 
age, commenced the practice of law in his native vil- 
lage. The great conflict between the Federal and 
Republican party was then at its height. Mr. \'an 
Buren was from the beginning a jjolitician. He had, 
perhaps, imbibed that spirit while listening to the 
many discussions which had been carried on in his 
father's hotel. He was in cordial sympathy with 
Jefferson, and earnestly and eloquently espoused the 
cause of State Rights; though at that time the Fed- 
eral party jield the supremacy both in his town 
and State. 

His success and increasing ruputation led him 
after six years of practice, to remove to Hudson, tlu 
county seat of his county. Here he spent seven years 
constantly gaining strcngtii by contending in tht. 
courts with some of the ablest men who have adorned 
the bar of his State. 

Just before leaving Kinderhook for Hudson, Mi. 
Van Buren married a lady alike distinguished for 
beauty and accomidishments. After twelve short 
years she sank into the grave, the victim of consumi> 
tion, leaving her husband and four sons to weep ovei 
her loss. For twenty-five years, Mr. V^an Buren was 
an earnest, successful, assiduous lawyer.. The record 
of those years is barren in items of public interest. 
In iSi 2, when thirty years of age, he was ciiosen lo 
the State Senate, and gave his strenuous su|i|iort to 
Mr. Madison's adininstration. In 1815, he was ap- 
pointed Attorney-General, and the next year moved 
to Albany, the capital of the State. 

While he was acknowledged as one of the most 
PiOminent leaders of the Democratic party, be had 



MAKTJN \'AN XiVKHC^. 



the moral courage to avow that true democracy did 
not require that " universal suffrage" which admits 
the vile, the degraded, tlie ignorant, to the right of 
governing the State. In true consistency with his 
democratic princiiiles, lie contended that, while the 
])alh leading to the privilege of voting should be ojjcn 
to every man without distinction, no one should be 
invested with that sacred prerogative, unless he were 
in some degree qualified for it by intelligence, virtue 
and some property interests in the welfare of the 
State. 

In 182 1 he was elected a member of the United 
States Senate; and in the same year, he took a seat 
in the convention to revise the constitution of his 
native State. His course in this convention secured 
the approval of men of all parties. No one could 
doubt the singleness of his endeavors to promote the 
interests of all classes in the coniiiuinity. In the 
Senate of the United States, he rose at once to a 
conspicuous position as an active and useful legislator. 

In 1827, John Quincy Adams being then in the 
Presidential chair, Mr. Van Buren was re-elected to 
ihe Senate. He had been from the beginning a de- 
.ermined opposer of the Administration, ado])ting the 
■'State Rights " view in opposition to what was 
deemed the Federal proclivities of Mr. Adams. 

Soon after this, in 1828, he was chosen Governorof 
the State of New York, and accordingly resigned his 
seat in the Senate. Probably no one in the United 
States contributed so much towards ejecting John Q. 
Adams from the Presidential chair, and placing in it 
Andrew Jackson, as did Martin Van Huren. ^V'hether 
entitled to the reputation or not, he certainly was re- 
garded throughout the United States as one of the 
most skilHul, sagacious and cunning of politicians. 
]t was supposed that no one knew so well as he how 
;o touch the secret spiings of action; how to pull all 
;he wires to put his machinery in motion; and how to 
organize a political army which would, secreily and 
rtc'Uhily accomplish the most gigantic results. By 
these powers it is said that he outv.'itted Mr. Adams, 
Mr. Clay, Mr. Wel)ster, and secured results which 
few thought then could be accomplished. 

When Andrew Jackson was elected President he 
appointed Mr. Van Buren Secretary of State. This 
position he resigned in 1831, and was immediately 
appointed Minister to England, wliere he went the 
same autumn. The Senate, however, when it met, 
refused to ratify the noniin.ation, and he returned 



home, apparently untroubled ; was nominated Vice 
President in the place of Calhoun, at the re-election 
of President Jackson; and with smiles for all and 
fiowns for none, he took his place at the head of that 
Senate which hjd refused to confirm his nomination 
as ambassador. 

His rejection by the Senate roused all the zeal of 
President Jackson in behalf of his repudiated favor- 
ite; and this, probably more than any other cause, 
secured his elevation to the chair of the Chief Execu 
tive. On the 20th of May, 1836, Mr. Van Buren re- 
ceived the Democratic nomination to succeed Gen. 
Jackson as President of the United States. He was 
elected by a handsome majority, to the delight of the 
retiring President. "Leaving New York out of the 
canvass," says Mr. Partoii, "the election of Mr. Van 
Buren to the Presidency was as much the act of Gen. 
Jackson as though the Constitution had conferred 
upon him the power to appoint a successo'r." 

His administration was filled with exciting events- 
The insurrection in Canada, which threatened to in- 
volve this country in war with England, the agitation 
of the slavery question, and finally the great commer- 
cial panic which spread over the country, all were 
trials to his wisdom. The financial distress was at- 
tributed to the management of the Democratic party, 
and brouglit the President into such disfavor that he 
failed of re-election. 

With the exception of being nominated for the 
Presidency by the "Free Soil" Democrats, in 1848, 
Mr. Van Huren lived quietlv ujion his estate until 
his death. 

He had ever been a prudent man, of frugal habits, 
and living within liis income, had now fortunately a 
-competence for liis declining years. His unblemished 
character, his commanding abilities, his unquestioned 
patriotism, and the distinguished positions which he 
had occuijjed in the government of our country, se- 
cured to him not only the homage of his party, but 
the respect ot the whole community. It was on the 
4th of March, 1841, that Mr. Van Buren retired from 
the [iresidency. From his fine estate at Lindenwald 
he still exerted a powerful influence upon the [xilitics 
of the country. From this time until his death, on 
the 24th of July, 1862, at the age of eighty years, he 
resided at Lindenwald, a gentleman of leisure, of 
culture and of wealth; enjoyii.g in a healthy old 
age, probably far more happiness tlian he had before 
experienced amid the stormy scenes of his active life. 




/c^\ /t^ y/t^lA^^ 



NINTH PRESIDENT. 



5' 





[LLIAM HENRY HARRI- 
SON, the ninth President of 
the United States, was born 
at Berkeley, Va., Feb. 9, 1773. 
His father, Benjamin Harri- 
son, was in comparatively op- 
ulent circumstances, and was 
one of the most distinguished 
men of his day. He was an 
intimate friend of George 
Washington, %vas early elected 
a member of the Continental 
Congress, and was consijicuous 
among the patriots of Virginia in 
resisting the encroachments of the 
British crown. In the celebrated 
Congress of 1775, Benjamin Har- 
rison and John Hancock were 
both candidates for the office of 
speaker. 

Mr Harrison was subsequently 
chosen Governor of Virginia, and 
was twice re-elected. His son, 
William Henry, of course enjoyed 
in childhood all the advantages which wealth and 
intellectual and cultivated society could give. Hav- 
ing received a thorough comnion-school education, he 
entered Hampden Sidney College, where he graduated 
with lionor soon after tlie death of his father. He 
Oien repaired to Philadelphia to study medicine under 
the instructions of Dr. Rush and the guardianship of 
^'obert Morris, both of whom were, with his father, 
signers of the Declaration of Independence. 

Jiwn the outbreak of the Indian troubles, and not- 
withstanding the 'emons'.tances of his friends, he 
nhar.doped his medical studies and entered the army, 
.laving obtained a commission of Ensign from Presi- 



dent Washington. He was then but 19 years old. 
From that time he passed gradually upward in rank 
until he became aid to (ieneral Wayne, after whose 
death he resigned his commission. He was then ap- 
pointed Secretary of the North-western Territory. This 
Territory >vas then entitled to but one member in 
Congress and Capt. Harrison was chosen to fill that 
position. 

In the spring of 1800 the North-western Territory 
was divided by Congress into two jxjrtions. The 
eastern portion, comprising the region now embraced 
in the State of Ohio, was called " The Territory 
north-west of the Ohio." The western portion, which 
included what is now called Indiana, Illinois and 
Wisconsin, was called the "Indiana Territory." Wil . 
Ham Henry Harrison, then 27 years of age, was ap 
l»inted by John Adams, Governor of the Indiana 
Territory, and immediately after, also Governor of 
Upper Louisiana. He was thus ruler over almost as 
extensive a realm as any sovereign \\\K)\\ the globe. He 
was Superintendent of Indian Affairs, and was in- 
vested with lowers nearly dictatorial over the now 
rapidly increasing white population. The ability and 
fidelity with which he discharged these resiKjnsible 
duties may be inferred from the fact that he was four 
times apiwinted to tliis office — first by John Adams, 
twice by Thomas Jefferson and afterwards by Presi- 
dent Madison. 

^\■henhe began his adminstration there were but 
three white settlements in that almost boundless region, 
now crowded with cities and resounding with all the 
tumult of wealth and traffic. One of these settlements 
was on the Ohio, nearly opixjsile Louisville; one at 
Vincennes, on the Wabash, and the third a French 
settlement. 

The vast wilderness over which Gov. Harrisoh 
reigned was filled with many tribes of Indians. Abou' 



5- 



WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. 



the year 1806, two extraordinary men, twin brothers, 
ot the Shawnese tribe, rose among them. Or.e of 
these was called Teciimseh, or " The Crouching 
Panther;" the other, OUiwacheca, or "The Prophet." 
Tccumseh was not only an Indian warrior, but a man 
of great sagacity, far-reaching foresight and indomit- 
able perseverance in any enter[)rise in which lie might 
engage. He was inspired withtlie higliest enthusiasm, 
and iiad long regarded witli dread and with hatred 
the encroachment of the whiles upon the hunting- 
grounds of his fathers. His brother, the Prophet, was 
anorator, who could sway the feelings of the untutored 
Indian as the gale tossed the tree-tops beneath which 
tliey dwelt. 

But the Prophet was not merely an orator: he was, 
in the superstitious minds of tlie Indians, invested 
with the superhuman dignity of a medicine-man or a 
magician. With an enthusiasm unsurpassed by Peter 
the Hermit rousing Europe to the crusades, he went 
from tribe to tribe, assuming that he was specially sent 
by the (Ireat Spirit. 

Gov. Harrison made many attempts to conciliate 
the Indians, but at last the war came, and at Tip|je- 
canoe the Indians were routed with great slaughter. 
October 28, 1812, his army began its march. When 
near the Prophet's town three Indians of rank made 
their appearance and inquired why Crov. Harrison was 
approaching them in so hostile an attitude. After a 
short conference, arrangements were made fora meet- 
ing the next day, to agree upon terms of peace. 

But Gov. Harrison was too well acquainted with 
the Indian character to be deceived by such protes- 
tations. Selecting a favorable spot for his night's en- 
campment, he took every precaution against surprise. 
His troops were posted in a iiollow square, and slept 
upon their arms. 

Tiie troops threw themselves upon the ground for 
rest; but every man had his accourtrements on, his 
loaded musket by his side, and his bayonet fixed. The 
wakeful Governor, between three and four o'clock in 
the morning, had risen, and was sitting in conversa- 
tion with his aids by the embers of a waning fire. It 
was a chill, cloudy morning with a drizzling rain. In 
the darkness, the Indians liad crept as near as possi- 
ble, and just then, with a savage yell, rushed, with all 
the desperation which superstition and [lassion most 
highly inflamed could give, upon the left flank of tlie 
little army. The savages had been amply [jrovided 
with guns and ammunition by the English. Their 
war-whoop was accompained by a shower of bullets. 

The camp-fires were instantly extinguished, as the 
light aided the Indians in their aim. With hide- 
Dus yells, the Indian bands rushed on, not doubtii.g a 
speedy and an entire victory. But Gen. Harrison's 
troops stood as immovable as the rocks around them 
until day dawned : they then made a simultaneous 
charge with the bayonet, and swept every thing be- 
fore them, and completely routing the foe. 



Gov. Harrison now had all his energies tasked 
to the utmost. The British descending from the Can - 
adas, were of themselves a very formidable force ; but 
with their savage allies, rushing like wolves I'roni the 
forest, searching out every remote farm-house, burn- 
ing, i>lundering, scalping, torturing, the wide frontier 
was plunged into a state of consternation which even 
the most vivid imagination can but faintly conceive, 
Tlie war-wlioop was resounding everywhere in the 
forest. 'i"he horizon was illuminated with the conflagra- 
tion of the cabins of the settlers. Gen Hull had made 
the ignominious surrender of his forces at Detroit. 
Under these despairing circumstances, Gov. Harrison 
was appointed by President Madison commander-in- 
chief of the North-western army, with orders to retake 
Detroit, and to protect the frontiers. 

It would be difficult to place a man in a situation 
demanding more energy, sagacity and courage; but 
General Harrison was found equal to the position, 
and nobly and triumphantly did he meet all the re- 
sponsibilities. 

He won the love of his soldiers by always sharing 
with them their fatigue. His whole baggage, whik 
pursuing the foe up the Thames, was carried in a 
valise; and his bedding consisted of a single blanket 
lashed over his saddle. Thirty-five Britisli officers, 
his prisoners of war, supped with him after the battle. 
The only fare he could give them was beef roasted 
before the fire, witliout bread or salt. 

In 1816, Gen. Harrison was chosen a member of 
the National House of Representatives, to represent 
the District of Ohio. In Congress he proved an 
active member; and whenever he spoke, it was with 
force of reason and power of eloquence, which arrested 
the attention of all the members. 

In 1819, Harrison was elected to the Senate of 
Ohio; and in 1824, as one of the presidential electors 
of that State, he gave his vote for Henry Clay. The 
same year he was chosen to the United States Senate. 

In 1836, the friends of Gen. Harrison brought him 
forward as a candidate for the Presidency againsi 
Van Buren, but he was defeated. .\t the close of 
Mr. Van Buren's term, he was re-nominated by his 
party, and Mr. Harrison was unanimously nominated 
by the Whigs, with John Tyler (orthe Vice Presidency. 
The contest was very animated. Gen. Jackson gave 
all his influence to prevent Harrison's election ; but 
his triumph was signal. 

The cabinet which he formed, with Daniel Webster 
at its head as Secretary of State, was one of the most 
brilliant with which any President had ever been 
surrounded. Never were the prospects of an admin- 
istration more flattering, or the hoi)es of the country 
more sanguine. In the midst of these bright and 
joyous prospects, Gen. Harrison was seized by a 
pleurisy-fever and after a few days of violent sick- 
ness, died on the 4th of .April ; just one month after 
his inauguration as President of the United States. 





'10^ 




TENTH PRESIDENT. 



55 





■ i OHN TYLER, the tenth 
' ■'-,,> I'residentof the United States. 
He was born in Charles-city 
Co., Va., March 29, lygo. He 
was the favored cliild of af- 
fluence and higli social po- 
sition. At the early age of 
twelve, John entered William 
and Mary College and grad- 
uated with much honor when 
but seventeen years old. After 
graduating, he devoted him- 
self with great assiduity to the 
study of law, partly with his 
father and partly with Edmund 
Randolph, one of the most distin- 
guished lawyers of Virginia. 

At nineteen years of age, ne 
commenced the practice of law. 
His success was rapid and aston- 
ishing. It is said that three 
months had not elapsed ere there_ 
was scarcely a case on the dock-' 
et of the court in which he was 
not retained. AVhen but twenty-one years of age, he 
was almost unanimously e'ected to a seat in the State 
Legislature. He connected himself with the Demo- 
cratic party, and warmly advocated the measures of 
Jefferson and Madison. For five successive years he 
wa» elected to the Legislature, receiving nearly the 
unanimous vote or his county. 

When l)ut twenty-six years of age, he was elected 
a member of Congress. Here he acted earnestly and 
ably with the Democratic party, opiwsing a national 
bank, internal improvements by the General <^vern- 



ment, a protective tariff, and advocating a strict con- 
struction of the Constitution, and the most careful 
vigilance over State rights. His labors in Congress 
were so arduous that before the close of his second 
term he found it necessary to resign and retire to his 
estate in Charles-city Co., to recruit his health. He, 
however, soon after consented to take his seat in the 
State Legislature, where his influence was powerful 
in promoting public works of great utility. With a 
reputation thus canstantly increasing, he was chosen 
by a very large majority of votes. Governor of his 
native State. His administration was signally a suc- 
cessful one. His (lopularity secured his re-election. 

John Randolph, a brilliant, erratic, half-crazed 
man, then represented Virginia in the Senate of the 
United States. A portion of the Democratic party 
was displeased with Mr. Randolph's wayward course, 
and brought forward John Tyler as his opixjnent, 
considering him the only man in Virginia of sufficient 
popularity to succeed against the renowned orator of 
Roanoke. Mr. T\ler was the victor. 

In accordance with his professions, upon taking his 
seat in the Senate, he joined the ranks of the opposi- 
tion. He opposed the tariff; he spoke against and 
voted against the bank as unconstitutional ; he stren- 
uously opposed all restrictions upon slavery, resist- 
ing all projects of internal improvements by the Gen- 
eral Government, and avowed his sympathy with Mr. 
Calhoun's view of nullification ; he declared that Gen. 
Jackson, by his oi>position to the nullifiers, had 
abandoned the ptinciples of the Democratic party. 
Such was Mr. Tyler's record in Congress, — a recoid 
in ])erfect accordance with the principles which he 
had always avowed. 

Returning to Virginia, he resumed the practice of 
his profession. There was a cplit in the Uemocraiic 



JOHN TYLER. 



party. His friends still regarded him as a true Jef- 
lersonian, gave him a dinner, and showered compli- 
ments upon him. He had now attained the age of 
forty-six. His career had been very brilliant. In con- 
sequence of his devotion to public business, his pri- 
vate affairs had fallen into some disorder; audit was 
not without satisfaction that he resumed the practice 
of law, and devoted himself to the cultuve of his plan- 
tation. Soon after this he vcmo\ed to Williamsburg, 
for the better education of his children ; and he again 
took, his seat in the Legislature of X'iiginia. 

By the Southern Whigs, he was sent to the national 
convention at Harrisburg to nominate a President in 
'839. The majority of votes were given to Gen. Har- 
rison, a genuine Whig, much to the disappointment of 
the South, who wished for Henry Clay. To concili- 
ate the Southern Whigs and to secure their vote, the 
convention then nominated John Tyler for Vice Pres- 
ident. It was well known tiiat he vvas not in sympa- 
thy with the Whig party in the Noith: but the Vice 
President lias but very little power in the Govern- 
ment, his main and almost only duty being to pre- 
side over the meetings of the Senate. Thus it hap- 
pened that a Whig President, and, in reality, a 
Democratic Vice President were chosen. 

In 1841, Mr. Tyler was inaugurated Vice Presi- 
dent of the United States. In one short month from 
that time, President Harrison died, and Mr. Tyler 
thus -cund himself, to his own surprise and that of 
the whole Nation, an occupant of the Presidential 
chair. This was a new test of the stability of our 
institutions, as it was the first time in the history of our 
country that such an event had occured. Mr. Tyler 
was at home in Williamsburg when he received the 
unexpected tidings of the death of President Harri- 
son. He hastened to Washington, and on the 6th of 
April was inaugurated to the high and responsible 
office. He was placed in a ]X)sition of exceeding 
delicacy and difficulty. All his longlife he had been 
opposed to the main principles of the party which had 
brought him into power. He had ever been a con- 
sistent, hontit man, with an unblemished record. 
Gen. Harrison had selected a Whig cabinet. Should 
he retain them, and thus suiround himself with coun- 
sellors whose views were antagonistic to his own? or, 
on the other hand, should he turn against the party 
whicii had elected him and select a cabinet in har- 
u'lony with himself, and which would oppose all those 
views which the Whigs deemed essential to the pub- 
lic welfare? This was his fearful dilemma. He in- 
vited the cabinet which President Harrison had 
selected to retain their seats. He reccommended a 
day of fasting and prayer, that God would guide and 
bless us. 

The Whigs carried tlirough Congress a bill for the 
incorjxjration of a fiscal liank of the United States. 
Tlie President, after ten days' delay, ret\irned it with 
his veto. He «U2gested, however, that he would 



approve of a bill drawn up upon such a plan as he 
projxjsed. Such a bill was accordingly prepared, and 
privately submitted to him. He gave it his approval. 
It was passed without alteration, and he sent it back 
with his veto. Here commenced the open rupture. 
It is said that Mr. Tyler was provoked to this meas- 
ure by a published letter from the Hon. John M. 
Botts, a distinguished Virginia Whig, who severely 
touched the pride of the President. 

The opposition now exultingly received the Presi- 
dent into their arms. The party which elected him 
denounced him bitterly. All the members of his 
cabinet, excepting Mr. Webster, resigned. The Whigs 
of Congress, both the Senate and the House, held a 
meeting and issued an address to the peuiile of the 
United States, proclaiming that all political alliance 
between the Whigs and President Tyler were at 
an end. 

Still the President attempted to conciliate. He 
appointed a new cabinet of distinguished Whigs and 
Conservatives, carefully leaving out all strong party 
men. Mr. Webster soon found it necessary to resign, 
forced out by the pressure of his Whig friends. Thus 
tlie four years of Mr. Tyler's unfortunate administra- 
tion ])assed sadly away. No one was satisfied. The 
land was filled with murmurs and vituperation. Whigs 
and Democrats alike assailed him. More and more, 
however, he brought himself into svmpathy with his 
old friends, the Democrats, untilatthe close of his term, 
he gave his whole influence to the support of Mr. 
Polk, the Democratie candidate for his successor. 

On the 4th of March, 1845, he retired from the 
harassments of office, tothe regret of neitherparty, and 
probably to his own unsjieakable relief. His first wife, 
Miss Letitia Christian, died in Washington, in 1842; 
and in June, 1844, President Tyler was again married, 
at New York, to Miss Julia Gardiner, a yoinig lady of 
many personal and intellectual accomplishments. 

The remainder of his days Mr. Tyler passed mainly 
in retirement at his beautiful home, — Sherwood For- 
est, Charles-city Co., Va. A polished gentleman in 
his manners, richly furnished with information from 
books and experience in the world, and possessing 
brilliant powers of conversation, his family circle was 
the scene of unnsual attractions. Witli sufficient 
means for the exercise of a generous hospitality, he 
might have enjoyed a serene old age with the few 
friends who gathered around him, were it not for the 
storms of civil war which his own principles and 
policy had helped to introduce. 

When the great Rebellion rose, which the State- 
rights and mdlifying doctrines of Mr. John C. Cal- 
houn had inaugurated, President Tyler renounced his 
allegiance to the United States, and joined the Confed- 
erates. He was chosen a member of their Congress; 
and while engaged in active measures to destroy, by 
force of arms, the Government over which he had 
once presided, he was taken sick and soon died. 



3^ 




^^ 



■'^ 



CCL- 



..s^-. 



ELEVENTH PRESIDENT. 



59 



JAMES K. FOILK, 




■t%o^ <S^^ ''■<Sji?'^ 




I AMES K. POLK, the eleventh 
p^President of the United States, 
was born in Mecklenburg Co., 
N. C.,Nov. 2, 1795. His par- 
ents were Samuel and Jane 
(Knox) Polk, the former a son 
of Col. Thomas Polk, wlio located 
at the above place, as one of the 
first pioneers, in 1735. 

In the year 1006, with his wife 
and children, and soon after fol- 
lowed by most of the members of 
the Polk farnly, Samuel Polk emi- 
grated some two or three hundred 
miles farther west, to the rich valley 
of the Duck River. Here in the 
midst of the wilderness, in a region 
which was subsequently called Mau- 
ry Co., they reared their log huts, 
and established their homes. In the 
hard toil of a new farm in the wil- 
derness, James K. Polk spent the 
early years of his childhood and 
youth. His father, adding the pur- 
suit of a surveyor to that of a farmer, 
' gradually increased in wealth until 
he became one of the leading men of the region. His 
mother was a superior woman, of strong common 
sense and earnest piety. 

Very early in life, James developed a taste for 
reading and expressed the strongest desire to obtain 
a liberal education. His mother's training had made 
him methodical in his habits, had taught him punct- 
uality and industry, and had inspired him with lofty 
principles of morality. His health was frail ; and his 
father, fearing that he might not be able to endure a 



sedentary life, got a situation for him behind the 
counter, hoping to fit him for commercial pursuits. 

This was to James a bitter disapix)intnient. He 
had no taste for these duties, and his daily tasks 
were irksome in the extreme. He remained in this 
uncongenial occupation but a few weeks, when at his 
earnest solicitation his father removed him, and made 
arrangements for him to prosecute his studies. Soon 
after he sent him to Murfreesboro Academy. With 
ardor which could scarcely be surpassed, he pressed 
forward in his studies, and in less than two and a half 
years, in the autumn of 1815, entered the sophomore 
class in the University of North Carolina, at Ciiapel 
Hill. Here he was one of the most exemplary of 
scholars, punctual in every exercise, never allowing 
himself to be absent from a recitation or a religious 
service. 

He graduated in 1818, witli the highest honors, be- 
ing deemed the best scholar of his class, Ixjth in 
mathematics and the classics. He was then twenty- 
three years of age. Mr. Polk's health was at this 
time much impaired by the assiduity with which he 
had prosecuted his studies. After a short season of 
relaxation he went to Nashville, and entered the 
office of Felix Grundy, to study law. Here Mr. Polk 
renewed his acquaintance with .Andrew Jackson, who 
resided on his plantation, the Heniiitage, but a few 
miles from Nashville. They had probably been 
slightly acquainted before. 

Mr. Polk's father was a JefTersonian Republican, 
and James K. Polk ever adhered to the same jxiliii- 
cal faith. He was a jxipular ]iublic speaker, and was 
constantly called ujxDn to address the meetings of his 
party friends. His skill as a speaker was such that 
he was popularly called the Na|)oleon of the stump. 
He was a man of unblemished morals, genial and 



6o 



/AMES K. POLK. 



:ourtc<"us in his bearing, and with that sympathetic 
nature in the jo) s and griefs of others which ever gave 
him troops of friends. In 1S23, Mr. Polk was elected 
to the Legislature of Tennessee. Here he gave his 
strong influence towards the election of his friend, 
Mr. Jackso;i, to the Presidency of the United States. 

In January, 1824, Mr. Polk married Miss Sarah 
Childress, of Rutherford Co., Tenn. His bride was 
altogether worthy of him, — a lady of beauty and cul- 
ture. In the fall of 1825, Mr. Polk was chosen a 
memljcr of Congress. The satisfaction which he gave 
to his constituents may be inferred from the fact, that 
for fourteen successive years, until 1839, he was con- 
tinued in that office. He then voluntarily withdrew, 
only that he might accept the Gubernatorial chair 
of T'^nnessec. In Congress he was a lalxDrious 
menffber, a frequent and a ixjpular speaker. He was 
always in his seat, always courteous ; and whenever 
he s|X)ke it was always to the point, and without any 
ambitious rhetorical display. 

During five sessions of Congress, Mr. Polk was 
Speaker of the House. Strong passions were roused, 
and stormy scenes were witnessed ; but Mr. Polk per- 
formed his arduous duties to a very general satisfac- 
tion, and a unanimous vote of thanks to him was 
passed by the Houtie as he withdrew on the 4th of 
March, 1839. 

In accordance with Southern usage, Mr. Polk, as a 
candidate for Governor, canvassed the State. He was 
elected by a large majority, and on the 14th of Octo- 
ber, 1839,100k the oath of office at Nashville. In 1841, 
his term of office expired, and he was again the can- 
didate of the Democratic party, but was defeated. 

On the 4th of .March, 1845, Mr. Polk was inaugur- 
ated President of the United States. The verdict of 
the country in favor of the annexation of Texas, e.xerted 
its influence upon Congress ; and the last act of the 
administration of President Tyler was to affix his sig- 
nature to a joint resolution of Congress, passed on the 
^d of March, approving of the annexation of Te.xas to 
the American Union. As Mexico still claimed Texas 
as one of her provinces, the Mexican minister, 
Almonte, immediately demanded his passjwrts and 
left the country, declaring the act of the annexation 
to be an act hostile to Mexico. 

In his first message, President Polk urged that 
Texas should immediately, by act of Congress, be re- 
ceived into the Union on the same footing with the 
Other States. In the meantime, Gen. Taylor was sent 



with an army into Texas to hold the country. He was 
sent first to Nueces, which the Mexicans said was the 
western lioundary of Texas. Then he was sent nearly 
two hundred miles further west, to the Rio Grande, 
where he erected batteries which commanded the 
Mexican city of Matamoras, which was situated on 
the western banks. 

The anticipated collision soon took place, and wa- 
was declared against .Mexico by President Polk. The 
war was pushed forward by Mr. Polk's administration 
with great vigor. Gen. Taylor, whose army was first 
called one of "observation," then of "occu|)ation,' 
then of " invasion," was sent forward to Monterey. The 
feeble Mexicans, in every encounter, were hopelessly 
and awfully slaughtered. The day of judgement 
alone can reveal the misery which this war caused. 
It v/as by the ingenuity of Mr. Polk's adniinislraiion 
that the war was brought on. 

'To the victors belong the sjx)ils." Mexico was 
prostrate before us. Her capital was in our hands 
We now consented to i)eace upon the condition that 
Mexico should surrender to us, in addition to Texas, 
all of New Mexico, and all of Upi)crand Lower Cal- 
ifornia. This new demand embraced, exclusive of 
Texas, eight hundred thousand square miles. This 
was an extent of territory eipial to nine States of the 
size of New York. Thus slavery was securing eighteen 
majestic .States to be added to the Union. There were 
some Americans who thought it all right : there were 
others who thought it all wrong. In the prosecution 
of this war, we expended twenty thousand lives and 
more than a hundred million of dollars. Of this 
money fifteen millions were paid lo .Mexico. 

( )n the 3d of M.irch, 1849, Mr. Polk retired from 
office, having served one term. The next day was 
Sunday. On the 5th, Gen. Taylor was inaugurated 
as his successor. Mr. Polk rode to the Capitol in the 
same carriage with Gen. Taylor; and the same even- 
ing, with Mrs. Polk, he ■commenced his return to 
Tennessee. He was then but fifty-four years of age. 
He had ever been strictly temi>erate in all his habits, 
and his health was good. With an ample fortune, 
a choice library, a cultivated mind, and domestic ties 
of the dearest nature, it seemed as though long years 
of tramiuility and happiness were before him. But the 
cholera — that fearful scourge — was then sweeping up 
the \'alley of the Mississi|)])i. This he contracted, 
and died on the 15th of June, 1849, in the nftv.fdurih 
year of his age, greatly mourned by his couiurymen. 





YPoy- 



TWELFTH PRESIDENT. 



63 



,-.^33' 





33S3!333SS3a3: 



/AgKAI^V TATJUOK. 




\r ACHARY TAYLOR, twelfth 
&1 I'resident of the United States, 
^''was born on the 24th of Nov., 
1784, in Orange Co., Va. His 
father, Colonel Taylor, was 
a Virginian of note, and a dis- 
tinguished patriot and soldier of 
the Revolution. When Zachary 
was an infant, his father with his 
wife and two children, emigrated 
to Kentucky, where he settled in 
the pathless wilderness, a few 
miles from Louisville. In thisfront- 
^(j^j ier home, away from civilization and 
I all its refinements, young Zachary 
could enjoy but few social and educational advan- 
tages. When si.x years of age he attended a common 
5chool, and was then regarded as a bright, active boy, 
rather remarkable for bluntness and decision of char- 
acter He was strong, feailess and self-reliant, and 
<T)anifested a strong desire to enter the army to fight 
the Indians who were ravaging the frontiers. There 
is little to lie recorded of the uneventful years of his 
childhood on his father's large but lonely plantation. 
In 1808, his father succeeded in obtaining for him 
the commission of lieutenant in the United States 
army ; and he joined the troops which were stationed 
at New Orleans under Gen. Wilkinson. Soon after 
this he married Miss Margaret Smith, a young lady 
from one of the first families of Maryland. 

Immediately after the declaration of war with Eng- 
land, in 18 1 2, Capt. Taylor (for he had then been 
promoted to that rank) was put in command of Fort 
Harrison, on the Wabash, about fifty miles above 
Vincennes. This fort had been built in the wilder- 
ness by Gen. Harrison. on his march to Tippecanoe. 
It was one of the first points of attack by the Indians, 
kd by Tecumseh. Its garrison consisted of a broken 



company of infantry numbering fifty men, many of 
whom were sick. 

Early in the autumn of 1812, the Indians, stealthily, 
and in large numbers, moved ujjon the fort. Tlie;r 
approach was first indicated by the murder of two 
soldiers just outside of the stockade. Capt. Taylor 
made every possible preparation to meet the antici- 
pated assault. On the 4th of September, a band of 
forty painted and plumed savages came to the fort, 
waving a white flag, and informed Capt. Taylor that 
in the morning their chief would come to have a talk 
with him. It was evident that their object was merely 
to ascertain the state of things at the fort, and Capt. 
Taylor, well versed in the wiles of the savages, kept 
them at a distance. 

The sun went down; the savages disappeared, the 
garrison slept upon their arms. One hour before 
midnight the war whoop burst from a thousand lips 
in the forest around, followed by the discharge of 
musketry, and the rush of the foe. Every man, sick 
and well, sprang to his iwst. Every man knew that « 

defeat was not merely death, but in the case of caj)- 
ture, death by the most agonizing and jjrolonged tor- 
ture. No pen can describe, no immagination can 
conceive the scenes which ensued. The savages suc- 
ceeded in setting fire to one of the block-houses- 
Until six o'clock in the morning, this awful conflict 
continued. The savages tiien, baffled at every jxjint, 
and gnashing their teeth with rage, retired. Capt. 
Taylor, for this gallant defence, was promoted to the 
rank of major by brevet. 

Until the close of the war, MajorTaylor was placed 
in such situations that he saw but little more of active 
service. He was sent far away into the depths of the 
wilderness, to Fort Crawford, on Fo.\ River, which 
empties into Green Bay. Here there was but little 
to be done but to wear away the tedious hours as one 
best could. There were no books, no society, no in- 



64 



ZACHARY TAYLOR 



tellectual stimulus. Thus with him the uneventful 
years rolled on Gradually he rose to the rank of 
colonel. In the Black-Hawk war, which resulted in 
the capture of that renowned cliieftain, Col Taylor 
took a subordinate but a brave and efficient part. 

For twenty-four years Col. Taylor was engaged in 
the defence of the frontiers, in scenes so remote, and in 
employments so obscure, that his name was unknown 
beyond the limits of his own immediate acquaintance. 
In the year 1836, he was sent to Florida to compel 
the Seminole Indians to vacate that region and re- 
tire beyond the Mississippi, as their chiefs by treaty, 
iiac' promised they should do. The services rendered 
heie secured for Col. Taylor the high appreciation of 
the Government; and as a reward, he was elevated 
tc .he rank of brigadier-general by brevet ; and soon 
after, in May, 1838, was appointed to the chief com- 
mand of the United States troops in Florida. 

After two years of such wearisome employn.ient 
amidst the everglades of the peninsula. Gen. Taylor 
obtained, at his own request, a change of command, 
zmA was stationed over the Department of the South- 
west. This field embraced Louisiana, Mississippi, 
Alabama and Georgia. Establishing his headquarters 
at Fort Jessup, in Louisiana, he removed his family 
to a plantation which he purchased, near Baton Rogue. 
Here he remained for five years, buried, as it were, 
from the world, but faithfully discharging every duty 
imix)sed upon him. 

In 1S46, Gen. Taylor was sent to guard the land 
between the Nueces and Rio Grande, the latter river 
being the boundary of Texas, which was then claimed 
by the United States. Soon the war with Me.xico 
was brought on, and at Palo Alto and Resaca de la 
Palma, Gen. Taylor won brilliant victories over the 
Mexicans. The rank of major-general by brevet 
was then conferred upon Gen. Taylor, and his name 
Was received with enthusiasm almost everywhere in 
the Nation. Then came the battles of Monterey and 
Buena Vista in which he won signal victories over 
forces much larger than he commanded. 

His careless habits of dress and his unaffected 
simi)licity, secured for Gen. Taylor among his troops, 
ihe sobriquet of "Old Rough and Ready.' 

The tidings of the brilliant victory of Buena Vista 
;pread the wildest enthusiasm over the country. 'I"he 
name of (ien. Taylor was on every one's lips. The 
Whig party decided to take advantage of this wonder- 
ful po|)ularity in bringing forward the unpolished, un- 
lettered, honest soldier as their candidate for the 
Presidency. Gen. Taylor was astonished at the an- 
nouncement, and for a time would not listen to it; de- 
claring that he was not at all qualified for such an 
office. So little interest had he taken in ])oliiics that, 
for forty years, he had not cast a vote. It was not 
without chagrin that several distinguished statesmen 
who had been long years in the public service found 
tl.iir claims set aside in behalf of one whose name 



had never been heard of, save in connection with Palo 
Alto, Resaca de la Palma, Monterey and Buena 
Vista. It is said that Daniel Webster, in his haste re- 
marked, " It is a nomination not fit to be made." 

Gen. Taylor was not an eloijuent siieaker nor a fine 
writer His friends took possession of him, and pre- 
pared such few communications as it was needful 
should be presented to the public. The popularity of 
the successful warrior swept the land. He was tri- 
um))hantly elected over two opix)sing candidates, — 
Gen. Cass and Ex-President Martin Van Buren. 
Though he selected an excellent cabinet, the good 
old man found himself in a very uncongenial position, 
and was, at times, sorely perplexed and harassed. 
His mental sufferings were very severe, and probably 
tended to hasten his death. The pro-slavery party 
was pushing its claims with tireless energy, expedi- 
tions were fitting out to capture Cuba ; California was 
pleading for admission to the Union, while slavery 
stood at the door to bar her out. Gen. Taylor found 
the political conflicts in Washington to be far more 
trying to the nerves than battles with Mexicans or 
Indians 

In the midst of all these troubles, Gen. Taylor, 
after he had occupied the Presidential chair but little 
over a year, took cold, and after a brief sickness of 
but little over five days, died on the 9th of July, 1850. 
His last words were, " 1 am not afraid to die. I am 
ready. I have endeavored to do my duty." He died 
universally respected and beloved. An honest, un- 
pretending man, he had been steadily growing in the 
affections of the people ; and the Nation bitterly la- 
mented his death. 

Gen. Scott, who was thoroughly acquainted with 
Gen. Taylor, gave the following graphic and truthful 
description of his character: — " With a good store of 
common sense. Gen. Taylor's mind had not been en- 
larged and refreshed by reading, or much converse 
with the world. Rigidity of ideas was the conse- 
quence. The frontiers and small military posts had 
been his home. Hence he was quite ignorant for his 
rank, and quite bigoted in his ignorance. His sim- 
plicity was child-like, and with innumerable jireju- 
dices, amusing and incorrigible, well suited to the 
tender age. Thus, if a man, however respectable, 
chanced to wear a coat of an unusual color, or his h M 
a little on one side of his head; or an officer to leave 
a corner of his handkerchief dangling from an out- 
side pocket, — in any such case, this critic held the 
offender to be a co.xcomb (perhaps something worse), 
whom he would not, to use his oft repeated phrase, 
'touch with a pair of tongs.' 

"Any allusion to literature beyond good old Dil- 
worth's spelling-book, on the part of one wearing a 
sword, was evidence, with the same judge, of utter 
unfitness for heavy marchings and combats. Inshorf 
few men have ever had a more comfonanie, laooi- 
saving contempt for learning of every kind." 



/ 





/^ t/_^ J i C^I^'P'T^CXJ-IjU 



THIRTEENTH PRESIDENT. 



6r 





^■MILLflHn FILLMflRE.'^ | 



-i^ 






4^ 




€*;• 




ILLARD FILOrORE, thir- 
teenth President of the United 
States, was born at Summer 
Hill, Cayuga Co., N. Y ., on 
the 7th of January, 1800. His 
father was a farmer, and ow- 
ing to misfortune, in humble cir- 
cumstances. Of his mother, the 
daughter of Dr. Abiathar Millard, 
''»■. of Pittsfield, Mass., it has been 
said that she ix)ssessed an intellect 
of very high order, united with much 
personal loveliness, sweetness of dis- 
position, graceful manners and ex- 
quisite sensibilities. She died in 
1831 ; having lived to see her son a 
young man of distinguished prom- 
ise, though she was not permitted to witness the high 
dignity which he finally attained. 

In consequence of the secluded hotne and limited 
means of his father, Millard enjoyed but slender ad- 
vantages for education in his early years. The com- 
mon schools, vvliich he occasionally attended were 
very imperfect institutions; and books were scarce 
and expensive. There was nothing then in his char- 
acter to indicate the brilliant career upon wliich he 
was about to enter. He was a plain farmer's boy; 
intelligent, good-looking, kind-hearted. The sacred 
influences of home had taught him to revere the Bible, 
and had laid the foundations of an upright character. 
When fourteen years of age, his father sent him 
some hundred miles from home, to the then wilds of 
Livingston County, to learn the trade of a clothier. 
Neav the mill there was a small villiage, where some 



enterprising man had commenced the collection of a 
village library. This proved an inestimable blessing 
to young Fillmore. His evenings were spent in read- 
ing. Soon every leisure moment was occupied with 
books. His thirst for knowledge became insatiate 
and the selections which he made were continually 
more elevating and instructive. He read history, 
biography, oratory, and thus gradually there was en- 
kindled in his heart a desire to be something more 
than a mere worker with his hands; and he was be- 
coming, almost unknown to himself, a well-informed, 
educated man. 

The young clothier had now attained the age of 
nineteen years, and was of fine personal appearance 
and of gentlemanly demeanor. It so hapjiened that 
there was a gentleman in the neighborhood of ample 
pecuniary means and of benevolence, — Judge Walter 
Wood, — who was struck with the prejxDssessing ap- 
pearance of young Fillmore. He made hisac(piaint- 
ance, and was so much impressed with his ability and 
attainments that he advised him to abandon his 
trade and devote himself to the study of the law. The 
young man replied, that he had no means of his own, 
r.o friends to help him and that his previous educa- 
tion had been very imperfect. But Judge Wood had 
so much confidence in him that he kindly offered to 
take him into his own office, and to loan him such 
money as he needed. Most gratefully the generous 
offer was accepted. 

There is in many minds a strange delusion about 
a collegiate education. A young man is supposed to 
be liberally educated if he has graduated at some col- 
lege. But many a lx)y loiters through university hall- 
«ind then enters a law office, who is by no means as 



6i 



MILLARD FILLMORE. 



well prepared to prosecute his legal studies as was 
Millard Filliiiore when he graduated at the clothing- 
mill at the end of four years of manual labor, during, 
which every leisure moment had been devoted to in- 
tense mental culture. 

In 1823, when twenty-three years of age, he was 
admitted to the Court of Common Pleas. He then 
went to the village of Aurora, and commenced the 
practice of law. In this secluded, peaceful region, 
his practice of course was limited, and there was no 
opportunity for a sudden rise in fortune or in fame. 
Here, in the year 1826, he married a lady of great 
moral worth, and one capable of adorning any station 
she might be called to fill, — Miss Abigail Powers. 

His elevation of character, his untiring industry, 
his legal acquirements, and his skill as an advocate, 
gradually attracted attention ; and lie was invited to 
enter into partnership under highly advantageous 
circumstances, with an elder member of the bar in 
Buffalo. Just before removing to Buffalo, in 1829, 
he took his seat in the House of Assembly, of the 
State of New York, as a representative from Erie 
County. Though he had n.ever taken a very active 
part in politics, his vote and his sympathies were with 
the Whig party. The State was then Democratic, 
and he found himself in a helpless minority in the 
Legislature , still the testimony comes from all parties, 
that his courtesy, ability and integrity, won, to a very 
unusual degrt e the respect of his associates. 

In the autumn of 1832, he was elected to a seat in 
the United States Congress. He entered that troubled 
arena in some of the most tumultuous hours of our 
national history. The great conflict respecting the 
national bank and the removal of the deposits, was 
then raging. 

His term of two years closed ; and he returned to 
his profession, which he pur^sued with increasing rep- 
utation and success. After a lapse of two years 
he again became a candidate for Congress; was re- 
elected, and took his seat in 1837. His past expe- 
rience as a representative gave hmi stiength and 
confidence. The first term of service in Congress to 
any man can be but little more than an introduction. 
He was now prepared for active duty. All his ener- 
gies were brought to bear upon the public good. Every 
measure received his impress. 

Mr. Fillmore was now a man of wide repute, and 
his popularity filled the State, and in the year 1847, 
he was elected Comptroller of the State. 



Mr. Fillmore had attained the age of forty-seven 
years. His labors at the bar, in the Legislature, in 
Congress and as Comptroller, had given him very con- 
siderable fame. The Whigs were casting about to 
find suitable candidates for President and Vice-Presi- 
dent at the approaching election. Far away, on the 
waters of the Rio Grande, there was a rough old 
soldier, who had fought one or two successful battles 
with the Mexicans, which had caused his name to be 
proclaimed in liumpet-tones all over the land. But 
it was necessary to associate with him on the same 
ticket some man of rei)utation as a statesman. 

Under the influence of these considerations, the 
naniesof Zachary Taylor ar.d Millard Fillmore became 
tlie rallying-cry of the Whigs, as their candidates for 
President and Vice-Peesident. The Whig ticket was 
signally Iriumijhant. On the 4th of March, 1849, 
Gen. Taylor was inaugurated President, and Millard 
Fillmore Vice-President, of the United States. 

On the 9th of July, 1850, President Taylor, but 
about one year and four months after his inaugura- 
tion, was suddenly taken sick and died. By the Con- 
stitution, Vice-President Fillmore thus became Presi- 
dent. He appointed a very able cabinet, of which 
the illustrious Daniel Webster was Secretary of State. 

Mr. Filhiiore had very serious difficulties to contend 
with, since the opposition had a majority in both 
Houses. He did everything in his power to conciliate 
the .South; but the pro-slavery party in the Soutli felt 
the inadequacy of all measuresof transient conciliation. 
The poi)\ilation of the free States was so rapidly in- 
creasing over that of the slave States that it was in- 
evitable that the power of the Government should 
soon pass into the hands of the free States. The 
famous compromise measures were adopted under Mr. 
I'iUmcre's adminstration, and the Japan Expedition 
was sent out. On the 4th of March, 1853, Mr. Fill- 
more, having served one term, retired. 

In 1856, Mr. Fillmore was nominated for the Pres- 
idency by the " Know Nothing " party, but was beaten 
by Mr. B^ichanan. After that Mr. Fillmore lived in 
retirement. During the terrible conflict of civil war, 
he was mostly silent. It was generally supposed that 
his sympathies were rather with those who were en- 
deavoring to overthrow our institutions. President 
Fillmore kept aloof from the conflict, without any 
cordial words of cheer to the one party or the other. 
He was thus forgotten by both. He lived to a ripe 
old ai^e, and died in Buffalo. N. Y., March 8, 1874. 




w^iA^^ c5^^ 



FOURTEENTH PRESIDENT. 



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^'•FHMKLIN PIERCE.-^ 



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RANKLIN PIERCE, the 
burteenth President of the 
United States, was born in 
Hillsborough, N. H., Nov. 
23, 1804. His father was a 
Revolutionary soldier, who, 
with his own strong arm, 
hewed out a home in the 
wilderness. He was a man 
of inflexible integrity; of 
strong, though uncultivated 
mind, and an uncompromis- 
ing Democrat. The mother of 
Franklin Pierce was all that a son 
could desire, — an intelligent, pru- 
dent, affectionate, Cliristian wom- 
Franklin was the si.\th of eight children. 
Franklin was a very bright and handsome boy, gen- 
erous, warm-hearted and brave. He won alike the 
love of old and young. The boys on the play ground 
loved him. His teachers loved him. The neighbors 
looked ujwn him with pride and affection. He was 
by instinct a gentleman; always speakingkind words, 
doing kind deeds, with a peculiar unstudied tact 
which taught him what was agreeable. Without de- 
veloping any iirecocity of genius, or any unnatural 
devotion to books, he was a good scholar; in body, 
in mind, in affections, a finely-developed boy. 

When si.\teen years of age, in the year 1820, he 
entered Bowdoin College, at Brunswick, Me He was 
one of the most ]X)pular young men in the college. 
The purity of his moral character, the unvarying 
courtesy of his demeanor, his rank as a scholar, and 



an 



genial nature, rendered him a universal favorite. 
There was something very peculiarly winning in his 
address, and it was evidently not in the slightest de- 
gree studied: it was the simple outgushing of his 
own magnanimous and loving nature. 

Upon graduaring, in the year 1824, Franklin Pierce 
commenced the study of law in the office of Judge 
Woodbury, one of the most distinguished lawyers of 
the State, and a man of great private worth. Thi; 
eminent social qualities of the young lawyer, his 
father's prominence as a [jublic man, and the brilliant 
political career into which Judge Woodbury was en- 
tering, all tended to entice Mr. Pierce into the faci- 
nating yet perilous path of political life. With all 
the ardor of his nature he espoused the cause of Gen. 
Jackson for the Presidency. He commenced the 
practice of law in Hillsborough, and was soon elected 
to represent the town in the -State Legislature. Here 
he served for four yeais. The last two years he was 
chosen speaker of the house by a very large vote. 

In 1833, at the age of twenty-nine, he was elected 
a member of Congress. Without taking an active 
part in debates, he was faithful and laborious in duty, 
and ever rising in the estimation of those with whom 
he was associatad. 

In 1837, being then but thirty-three years of age, 
he was elected to the Senate of the United States; 
taking his seat just as Mr. Van Biiren commenced 
his administration. He was the youngest member in 
the Senate. In the year 1834, he married Miss Jane 
Means Ajjpleton, a lady of rare beauty and accom- 
plishments, and one admirably fitted to adorn every 
station with wiiigh her husband was honoied. Of the 



72 



FRANKLIN PIERCE. 



three sons who were born to them, all now sleep with 
their parents in the grave. 

In the year 1838, Mr. Pierce, with growing fame 
and increasing business as a lawyer, took up his 
residence in Concord, the capital of New Hampshire. 
President Polk, upon his accession to office, appointed 
Mr. Pierce attorney-general of the United States; but 
the offer was declined, in consequence of numerous 
professional engagements at home, and the precariuos 
state of Mrs. Pierce's health. He also, about the 
same time declined the nomination for governor by the 
Democratic party. The war with Mexico called Mr. 
Pierce in the army. Receiving the appointment of 
brigadier-general, he embarked, with a portion of his 
troops, at Newport, R. I., on the 27th of May, 1847. 
He took an important part in this war, proving him- 
self a brave and true soldier. 

When Gen. Pierce reached his home in his native 
State, he was received enthusiastically by the advo- 
cates of the Mexican war, and coldly by his oppo- 
nents. He resumed the practice of his profession, 
very frequently taking an active part in political ques- 
tions, giving his cordial support to the pro-slavery 
wing of the Democratic party. The compromise 
measures met cordially with his approval ; and he 
strenuously advocated the enforcement of the infa- 
mous fugitive-slave law, which so shocked the religious 
sensibilities of the North. He thus became distin- 
guished as a " Northern man with Southern principles.'' 
The strong partisans of slavery in the South conse- 
quently regarded him as a man whom they could 
safely trust in office to carry out their plans. 

On the i2th of June, 1852, the Democratic conven- 
tion met in Baltimore to nominate a candidate for the 
Presidency. For four days they continued in session, 
and in thirty-five ballotings no one had obtained a 
two-thirds vote. Not a vote thus far had been thrown 
for Gen. Pierce. Then the Virginia delegation 
brought forward his name. There were fourteen 
more ballotings, during which Gen. Pierce constantly 
gained strength, until, at the forty-ninth ballot, he 
received two hundred and eiglity-two votes, and all 
other candidates eleven. Gen. Winfield Scott was 
the Whig candidate. Gen. Pierce was chosen with 
great unanimity. Only four States — Vermont, Mas- 
sachusetts, Kentucky and Tennessee — cast their 
electoral votes against him Gen. Franklin Pierce 
was therefore inaugurated President of the United 
States on the 4th of March, 1853. 



His administration proved one of the most stormy our 
country had ever experienced. The controversy he- 
tween slavery and freedom was then approaching its 
culminating point. It became evident that there was 
an "irrepressible conflict " between them, and that 
this Nation could not long exist " half slave and half 
free." President Pierce, during the whole of his ad- 
ministration, did every thing he could to conciliate 
the South ; but it was all in vain. The conflict every 
year grew more violent, and threats of the dissolution 
of the Union were borne to the North on every South- 
ern breeze. 

Such was the condition of affairs when President 
Pierce approached the close of his four-years' term 
of oflice. The North had become thoroughly alien- 
ated from him. The anti-slaverj' sentiment, goaded 
by great outrages, had been rapidly increasing; all 
the intellectual ability and social worth of President 
Pierce were forgotten in deep reprehension of his ad- 
ministrative acts. The slaveholders of the South, also, 
unmindful of the fidelity with which he had advo- 
cated those measures of Government which they ap- 
proved, and perhaps, also, feeling that he had 
rendered himself so unpopular as no longer to be 
able acceptably to serve them, ungratefully dropped 
him, and nominajed James Buchanan to succeed him. 

On the 4th of March, 1857, President Pierce re- 
tired to his home in Concord. Of three children, two 
had died, and his only surviving child had been 
killed before his eyes by a railroad accident ; and his 
wife, one of the most estimable and accomplished of 
ladies, was rapidly sinking in consumption. The 
hour of dreadful gloom soon came, and he was left 
alone in the world, without wife or child. 

When the terrible Rebellion burst forth, which di- 
vided our country into two parties, and two only, Mr. 
Pierce remained steadfast in the principles which he 
had always cherished, and gave his sympathies to 
that pro-slavery party with which he had ever been 
allied. He declined to do anything, either by voice 
or pen, to strengthen the hand of the National Gov- 
ernment. He continued to reside in Concord until 
the time of his death, which occurred in October, 
1.S69. He was one of the most genial and social of 
men, an honored communicant of the Episcopal 
Church, and one of the kindest of neighbors. Gen- 
erous to a fault, he contrilnited liberally for the al- 
leviation of suffering and want, and many of his towns- 
people were often gladened by his material bounty. 




Ml. 



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I'IFTEENTH PRESIDENT. 



75 





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AMES BUCHANAN, the fif- 
.teenth President of the United 
States, was born in a small 
frontier town, at the foot of the 
eastern ridge of the Allegha- 
nies, in Franklin Co., Penn., on 
the 23d of April, 1791. The place 
where the himil)le cabin of his 
father stuod was called Stony 
Batter. It was a wild and ro- 
mantic spot in a gorge of the moun- 
tains, with towering summits rising 
grandly all around. His father 
was a native of the north of Ireland ; 
a jXDor man, who had emigrated in 
I 17831 with little property save his 

own strong arms. Five years afterwards he married 
Elizabeth Spear, the daughter of a respectable farmer, 
and, with his young bride, plunged into the wilder- 
ness, staked his claim, reared his log-hut, opened a 
clearing with his axe, and settled down there to per- 
form his obscure part in the d-rania of life. In this se- 
cluded home, where James was born, he remained 
for eiglit years, enjoying but few social or intellectual 
advantages. When James was eight years of age, his 
father removed to the village of Mercersburg, where 
his son was placed at school, and commenced a 
course of study in English, Latin and Greek. His 
progress was rapid, and at the age of fourteen, he 
entered Dickmson College, at Carlisle. Here he de- 
veloped reniarkable talent, and took his stand among 
the first scholars in the institution. His application 
to study was intense, and yet his native powers e:>- 



abled him to master the most abstruse subjects with 
facility. 

In the year 1809, he graduated with tlie highest 
honors of his class. He was then eighteen years of 
age; tall and graceful, vigorous in health, fond of 
athletic sport, an unerring shot, and enlivened with 
an exuberant flow of animal spirits. He immediately 
commenced the study of law in tlie city of Lancaster, 
and was admitted to the bar in 1812, when he was 
but twenty-one years of age. Very ra|)idly he rose 
in his profession, and at once took undisputed stand 
with the ablest lawyers of the State. When but 
twenty-six years of age, unaided by counsel, he suc- 
cessfully defended before the State Senate ore of the 
judges of the State, who was tried uix)n articles of 
impeachment. At the age of thirty it was generally 
admitted that he stood at the head of the bar; and 
there was no lawyer in the State who had a more lu- 
crative practice. 

In 1820, he reluctantly consented to run as a 
candidate for Congress. He was elected, and for 
ten years he remained a member of the Lower House. 
During the vacations of Congress, he occasionally 
tried some important case. In 1831, he retired 
altogether from the toils of his profession, having ac- 
(piired an ample fortune. 

Gen. Jackson, ui)on his elevation to the Presidency, 
apijointed Mr. Buchanan minister to Russia. The 
duties of his mission he performed with ability, which 
gave satisfaction to all parties. Upon his return, in 
1833, he was elected to a seat in the United States 
Senate. He there met, as his associates, Webster, 
Clay, Wright and Calliouii. He .idvoi atcd tl'.e meas- 
ures proposed by President Jackson, of ni .l/ng repn- 



76 



J<AMES BUCHANAN. 



sali against France, to enforce the payment of our 
claims against tiiat country; and defended tlie course 
of the President in his unprecedented and wiiolesale 
removal from office of those who were not tiie sup- 
porters of his administration. Upon this question he 
was brought into direct collision witii Henry Clay. 
He also, witli voice and vote, advocated ex[)unging 
from the journal of the Senate tue vote of censure 
against Gen. Jackson for removing tlie deposits. 
Earnestly he opposed the abolition of slavery in the 
District of Columbia, and urged tiie prohibition of the 
circulation of anti-slavery documents by the United 
States mails. 

As to petitions on the subject of slavery, he advo- 
cated that they should be resiiectfidly received; and 
that the reply should be returned, that Congress had 
no power to legislate upon the subject. " Congress," 
said he, " might as well undertake to interfere with 
slavery under a foreign government as in any of the 
States where it now exists." 

Upon Mr. Polk's accession to the Presidency, Mr. 
Buchanan became Secretary of Slate, and as such, 
took his share of the responsibility in the conduct of 
the Mexican War. Mr. Polk assumed that crossing 
the Nueces by the American troops into the disputed 
territory was not wrong, but for the Mexicans to cross 
the Rio Grande into that territory was a declaration 
of war. No candid man can read with pleasure the 
account of the course our Government pursued in that 
movement. 

Mr. Buchanan identified himself thoroughly with 
the party devoted to the perpetuation and extension 
of slavery, and brought all the energies of his mind 
to bear against the W'ilmot Proviso. He gave his 
cordial approval to the com|)romise measures of 1S50, 
which included the fugiiive-slave law. Mr. Pierce, 
upon his election to the Presidency, honored Mr. 
Buchanan with the mission to England. 

In the year 1856, a national Democratic conven- 
tion nominated Mr. Buchanan for the Presidency. The 
political conflict was one of the most severe in which 
our country has ever engaged. All the friends of 
slavery were on one side; all the advocates of its re- 
striction and final abolition, on the other. Mr. Fre- 
mont, the candidate of the enemies of slavery, re- 
reived 1 14 electoral votes. Mr. Buchanan received 
174, and was elected. The popular vote stood 
t, 340, 618, for Fremont, 1,224,750 for liuchanan. On 
March 4th. 1857, Mr. Buchanan was inaugurated. 

Mr. Buchanan was far advanced in life. Only four 
vears were wanting to fill u[) his threescore years and 
ten. His own friends, those with whom he had been 
allied in political principles and action for years, were 
st-'jking the destruction of the Government, that they 
might rear upon the ruins of our free institutions a 
nation whose corner-stone should be human slavery. 
In this emergency, Mr. Buchanan was hopelessly be- 
wildered He could not, with his long-avowed prin- 



ciples, consistently oppose the State-rights party in 
their assumptions. As President of the United States, 
bound by his oath faithfully to administer the laws, 
he could not, without perjury of the grossest kind, 
unite with those endeavoring to overthrow the repub- 
lic. . He therefore did nothing. 

The opponents of Mr. Buchanan's administration 
nominated Abraham Lincoln as their standard bearer 
in the next Presidential canvass. The pro-slavery 
party declared, that if he were elected, and ihe con- 
trol of the Government were thus taken from their 
hands, they would secede from the Union, taking 
with them, as they retired, the National Capitol at 
Washington, and the lion's share of the territory of 
the United States. 

Mr. Buchanan's sympathy with the pro-slavery 
party was such, that he had been willing to offer them 
far more than they had ventured to claim. All the 
South had professed to ask of the North was non- 
intervention upon the subject of slavery. Mr. Bu- 
chanan had been ready to offer thetii the active co- 
operation of the Government to defend and extend 
the institution. 

As the storm increased in violence, the slaveholders 
claiming the right to secede, and Mr. Buchanan avow- 
ing that Congress had no power to prevent it, one of 
the most pitiable exhibitions of governmental im- 
becility was exhibited the world has ever seen. He 
declared that Congress had no power to enforce its 
laws in any State which had withdrawn, or which 
was attempting to withdraw from the Union. This 
was not the doctrine of Andrew Jackson, when, with 
his hand upon his sword-hilt, he exclaimed, " The 
Union must and shall be preserved!" 

South Carolina seceded in December, 1S60; nearly 
three months before the inauguration of President 
Lincoln. Mr. Buchanan looked on in listless despair. 
The rebel flag was raised in Ciiarleston: Fort Sumpter 
was besieged ; our forts, navy-yards and arsenals 
were seized ; our depots of military stores were plun- 
dered ; and our custom-houses and post-offices were 
appropriated by the rebels. 

The energy of the rebels, and the imbecility of our 
Executive, were alike marvelous. The Nation looked 
on in agony, waiting for the slow weeks to glide away, 
and close the administration, so terrible in its weak- 
ness At length the long-looked-for hour of deliver- 
ance came, when Abraham Lincoln was to receive the 
scepter. 

The administration of President Buchanan was 
certainly the most calamitous our country has ex- 
perienced. His best friends cannot recall it with 
])leasnre. And still more deplorable it is for his fame, 
that in that dreadful conflict which rolled its billows 
of flame and blood over our wht)le land, no word came 
from liis li[)s to indicate his wish that our country's 
banner should triumph over the fl:ig of the rebellion. 
He died at his Wheatland retreat, June i, 1868, 




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SIXTEENTH PK&S/UEiVT. 



79 




i ABRAHAM > m>- : M <TINC0LN:> 



;;'^Siri«:>,da-: 






BRAHAM LINCOLN, the 
sixteeiuli President of the 
i-;i> United States, was born in 
Hardin Co., Ky., Feb. 12, 
1 809. About the year 1 7 80, a 
man by the name of Abraham 
Lincohi left Virginia with his 
imily and moved into the thcji 
ilds of Kentucky. Only two years 
ifter this emigration, still a young 
man, while working one day in a 
field, was stealthily appro.;ched by 
an Indian and shot dead. His widow 
was left in e.xtreme [)Overty with five 
little children, three boys and two 
girls. Thomas, the youngest of the 
lioys, was four years of age at his 
father's death. This Thomas was 
the father of Abraham Lincoln, the 
President of the United States 
whose name must henceforth fo'^ever he enrolled 
with the most prominent in the annals of our world. 
Of course no record has been kept of the life 
of one so lowly as Thomas Lincoln. He was among 
the poorest of the poor. His home was a wretched 
log-cabin ; his food the coarsest and the meanest. 
Education he had none; he could never either read 
or write. As soon as he was able to do anything for 
himself, he was compelled to leave the cabin of his 
starving mother, and push out into the world, a friend- 
.ess, wandering boy, seeking work. He hired him- 
self out, and thus spent the whole of his youth as a 
laborer in the fields of others. 

When twenty-eight years of age he buill a log- 
cabin of his own, and married Nancy Hanks, the 
daughter of another family of jioor Kentucky emi- 
grants, who had also come from Virginia. Their 
second child was Abraham Lincoln, the subject of 
this sketch. Tlie mother of Abraham was a noble 
woman, gentle, loving, pensive, created to adorn 
a palace, doomed to toil and pine, and die in a hovel. 
" .Ml 'hat I am, or ho])e to be," exclaims the grate- 
ful son " I owe to my aiigel-moiher. 

When he was eight years of age, his father sold his 



cabin and small farm, and moved to Indiana Where 
two years later his mother died. 

Abraham soon became the scribe of the uneducated 
community around him. He could not have had a 
better school than this to teach him to put thoughts 
into words. He also became an eager reader. The 
books he could obtain were few ; but these lie read 
and re-read until they were almost committed to 
memory. 

As the years rolled on, the lot of this lowly family 
was the usual lot of humanity. Th>'re were joys and 
griefs, weddings and funerals. Abraham's sister 
Sarah, to whom he was tenderly attached, was mar- 
ried when a child of but fourteen years of age, and 
soon died. The family was gradually scattered. Mr. 
Thomas Lincoln sold out his sipiatter's claim in 1830, 
and emigrated to Macon Co., 111. 

Abraham Lincoln was then twenty-one years of age. 
Witli vigorous hands he aided his father in rearing 
another log-cabin. Abraham worked diligently at this 
until he saw the family comfortably settled, and their 
small lot of enclosed prairie planted with corn, when 
he announced to his father his intention to leave 
home, and to go out into the world and seek his for- 
tune. Little did he or his friends imagine how bril- 
liant that fortune was to be. He saw the value of 
education and was intensely earnest to improve his 
mind to the utmost of his power. He saw the ruin 
which ardent spirits were causing, and became 
strictly temperate; refusing to allow a drop of intoxi- 
cating liquor to pass his lips. And he had read in 
(iod's word, "Thou shah not take the name of the 
Ijjrd thy God in vain;" and a profane expression he 
was never heard to utter. Religion he revered. His 
morals were pure, and he was uncontaminated by a 
single vice. 

Young Abraham worked for a time as a hired lalxirer 
among the farmers. Then he went to Springfield, 
where he was employed in building a large flat-boat. 
In this he took a herd of swine, floated them down 
ihe Sangamon to the Illinois, and thence by the Mi.s- 
sissippi to New Orleans. Whati-ver Abraham Lin- 
coln undertook, he performed so faithfully as to give 
great satisfacticn to his employers. In this adven- 



8o 



ABRAHAM LINCOLN. 



ture his employers were so well pleased, that upon 

his return tiiey placed a store and iriill under his care. 

In 1832, at tiie outbreak of the lilack Hawk war, he 
enlisted and was chosen captain of a company. He 
returned to Sangamon County, and although only 23 
years of age, was a candidate for the Legislature, but 
was defeated. He soon after received from Andrew 
Jackson the appointiBentof I'ostmasterof New Salem, 
His only post-office was his hat. All the letters he 
received he carried there ready to deliver to those 
he chanced to meet. He studied survejing, and soon 
made this his business. In 1834 he again became a 
candidate for the Legislature, and was elected Mr. 
Stuart, of Springfield, advised him to study law. He 
walked from New Salem to Springfield, borrowed of 
i\Ir. Stuart a load of books, carried them back and 
began his legal studies. When the Legislature as- 
sembled he trudged on foot with his pack on his back 
one hundred miles to Vandalia, then the capital. In 
1836 he was re-elected to the Legislature. Here it 
was he first met Stephen A. Douglas. In 1839 he re- 
moved to Springfield and began the practice of law. 
His success with the jury was so great that he was 
soon engaged in almost every noted case in the circuit. 

In 1854 liic great discussion began between Mr. 
Lincoln and Mr. Douglas, on the slavery question. 
In the organization of the Republican party in Illinois, 
in 1856, he took an active part, and at once became 
one of the leaders in that party. Mr. Lincoln's 
speeches in opposition to Senator Douglas in the con- 
test in 1858 for a seat in the Senate, form a most 
notable part of his history. The issue was on the 
slavery question, and he took the broad ground of 
;he Declaration of Independence, that all men are 
created equal. Mr. Lincoln was defeated in this con- 
test, but won a far higher prize. 

The great Republican Convention met at Chicago 
on the i6th ot June, i860. The delegates and 
strangers who crowded the city amounted to twenty- 
five thousand. .\n immense building called "The 
Wigwam," was reared to accommodate the Conven- 
tion. There were eleven candidates for whom votes 
were thrown. William H. Seward, a man whose fame 
as a statesman had long filled the land, was the most 
orominent. It was generally supposed he would be 
the nominee, Abraham Lincoln, however, received 
the nomination on the third ballot. Little did he then 
dream of the weary years of toil and care, and the 
bloody death, to which that nomination doomed him: 
andaslittledid hedream that he was to render services 
to his country, which would fi.x upon him the eyes of 
the whole civilized world, and which would give him 
a place in the affections of his countrymen, second 
cnly, if second, to that of Washington. 

Election day came and Mr. Lincoln received 180 
electoral votes out of 203 cast, and was, therefore, 
constitutionally elected President of the United States. 
The tirade of abuse that was poured upon this good 



and merciful man, especially by the slaveholders, was 
greater than upon any other man ever elected to this 
high [josition. In February, 1861, Mr. Lincoln started 
for Washington, stopping in all the large cities on his 
way making speeches. The whole journey was frought 
with much danger. Many of the Southern States had 
already seceded, and several attempts at assassination 
were afterwards brought to light. .\ gang in Balti- 
more had arranged, uix)n his arrival to" get u]) a row," 
and in the confusion to make sure of his death with 
revolvers and hand-grenades. A (letective unravelled 
the plot. A secret and special train was provided to 
take him from HarrisL'urg, through Baltimore, at an 
une.\pected hour of the night. The train started at 
half-past ten ; and to prevent any possible communi- 
cation on the part ol the Secessionists with their Con- 
federate gang in Baltimore, as soon as the train had 
started the telegraph-wires were cut. Mr. Lincoln 
reached Washington in safety and was inaugurated, 
although great anxiety was felt by all loyal people. 
In the selection of his cabinet Mr. Lincoln gave 
to Mr Seward the Department of State, and to other 
prominent opponents before the convention he gave 
important positions. 

During no other .administration have tlie duties 
devolving upon the President been so manifold, and 
the responsibilities so great, as those wiiich fell to 
the lot of President Lincoln. Knowing this, and 
feeling his own weakness and inability to meet, and in 
his own strength to cope with, the difficulties, he 
learned early to seek Divine wisdom and guidance in 
determining his jjlans, and Divine comfort in all his 
trials, bo'h jjersonal and national Contrary to his 
own estimate of himself, Mr. Lincoln was one of the 
most courageous of men. He went directly into the 
rebel capital just as the retreating foe was leaving, 
with no guard but a few sailors. From the time he 
had left Springfield, in 1861, however, plans had been 
made for his assassination, and he at last fell a victim 
to one of them. AjJiil 14, 1865, he, with Gen. Grant, 
was urgently invited to attend Fords' Theater. It 
was announced that they would Le jKesent. tien. 
Grant, however, left the city. President Lincoln, feel- 
ing, witli his characteristic kindliness of heart, that 
it would be a disappointment if he should fail them, 
very reluctantly consented to go. While listening to 
the jjlay an actor by the name of John ^ViIkes Booth 
entered the box where the President and family were 
seated, and fired a bullet into his brains. He died the 
next morning at seven o'clock. 

Never before, in the history of the world was a nation 
plunged into such deep grief by the death of its ruler 
Strong men met in the streets and wept in si)eechless 
anguish. It is not too much to say that a nation was 
in nears. His was a life which will fitly become a 
model. His name as the savior of his country will 
live with that of Washington's, ils father; his country- 
men being unable to decide which is tK^ greater- 



The Rocky Motintam Saints 

A FULL AND COMPLETE 
History of the Mormons, From the First Vision of Joseph Smith to the 
Last Courtship of Brigham Young; 

By T. B. H. STENHOUSE, Twenty-five years a Mormon Elder and 
Missionary, and Editor and Proprietor of the Salt Lake "Daily Tele- 
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Illustrated with Twenty-four Full-Page Engravings, a Steel Plate 
Frontispiece, an Autograph Letter of Brigham Young and Numerous 
Wood cuts. 

Octavo 800 Pages. Cloth, $3.00 Postpaid 



Brigham's Destroying Angel 

Being the Life, Confessions and Startling Disclosures of BILL 
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12mo Cloth $1.00 Paper Covers, Printed in Four Colors, 50c Postpaid. 



— U. S. A.- 



Docle Sam's Abess, or Hell Upon Earth 

By W. JARMAN 

Who suffered 12 years in the Mormon Hell Upon Earth, • • • 
Under the "All-Seeing Eye" and the sign "Holiness Unto the Lord." 
12mo Cloth, Illustrated, $2.00. Paper Covers, No Illustrations, 50c. 

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Reminiscences of Early Utah 

Judge Baskin, the author, came to Utah in 1865, and has been an 
actor in all the stirring scenes in "Mormondom" from that day to this. 
He was one of the organizers of the Liberal Party in Utah, and its can- 
didate for Congress in 1876. Twice elected Mayor of Salt Lake City, 
by the American Party, and Justice of the Supreme Court of Utah for 
6 years. The attorney of Doctor Robinson, who was murdered in Utah 
in 1867. He prosecuted John D. Lee, who commanded at the Mountain 
Meadow Massacre, and various other Mormons charged with offenses 
against the law. The book is a terrific arraignment of the Mormon 
Leaders by one who knows whereof he speaks. A copy should be in 
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Mormon of Salt Lake, "It is the best book ever written on "Mor- 
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New. 8v( f Cloth. Illustrated. Postpaid. $2.1i. 

(Oyer.) 



8o 



ture his employer 
his return tiiey plJ 

In 1832, at the ■ ■;' ■' 
enlisted and was ( '• 
returned to Sanga 
years of age, was : 
was defeated. H' 
Jackson the a[)poii 
His only post-olific 
received he carriei 
he chanced to met . 
made this his i)usi 
candidate for the I 
Stuart, of Springtie 
walked from New ; 
Mr. Stuart a load ( 
began his legal sti 
senibled he trudgei 
one hundred miles ^ 
1836 he was re-ele 
was he first met St. 
moved to Springfie 
His success with tl 
soon engaged in ali 

In 1854 the grea 
Lincoln and Mr. I 
In the organization 
in 1856, he took an 
one of the leaders 
speeches in oppositi' 
test in 1858 for a st 
notable part of his ] 
slavery question, ar, 
;he Declaration of 
created equal. Mr. 
test, but won a far V 

The great Republ 
on the i6th of Ju 
strangers who crowd 
five thousand. An 
Wigwam," was reare 
tion. There were el 
were thrown. Williai 
as a statesman had Ic 
orominent. It was 
•he nominee. Abral 
the nomination on th' 
dream of the weary ) 
bloody death, to whic 
and aslittledid hedn. 
to his country, which 
the whole civilized w 
a place in the affectit 
cnly, if second, to tlu 

Election day came 
electoral votes out of 
constitutionally clecte 
The tirade of abuse tl 




PUBLICATIONS OF 

SHEPiRD BOOK GOHP&NT 

S ALT LAKE CITY, UTAH 

The Mountain Meadow Massacre 

By Josiah F. Gibbs, Author of 

"LIGHTS AND SHADOWS OF MORMONISM." 

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^^^''"r^addition to a photograph of John D. Lee (the alleged leader of 

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LigMs ^ Shadows o! Mormonism 



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By Josiah F. Gibbs. 

535 pages. Cloth. 



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The ReYelation in the Mountain 

By GERTRUDE KEENE MAJOR. 



Life Among the Mormons in Michigan 

(The Strangites) 
At Beaver Island, etc. Illustrated, by Elizabeth Whitney Willian^- 

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SEVENTEENTH FRESlDEi\T. 



S3 





NDREVV JOHNSON, seven- 
teenth President of the United 
tsj) States. The early life of 
Andrew Johnson contains but 
the record of poverty, destitu- 
tion and friendlessness. He 
was born December 29, 180S, 
in Raleigh, X. C. His parents, 
belonging to the class of the 
"poor whites " of the South, were 
in such circumstances, that they 
could not confer even the slight- 
est advantages of education ujxjn 
their child. When Andrew was five 
years of age, his father accidentally 
iost iiis life while herorically endeavoring to save a 
friend from drowning. Until ten years of age, .Vndrew 
was a ragged boy about the streets, supported by the 
labor of his mother, who obtained her living with 
her own hands. 

He then, having never attended a school one day, 
and being unable either to read or write, was ap- 
prenticed to a tailor in his native town. A gentleman 
was in the habit of going to the tailor's shop occasion- 
ally, and reading to the boys at work there. He often 
read from the speeches of distinguished British states- 
men. Andrew, who was endowed with a mind of more 
than ordinary native al)ility, became much interested 
in these speeches; his ambition was roused, and he 
was inspired with a strong desire to learn to read. 

He accordingly applied himself to the alphabet, and 
with the assistance of some of his fellow- workmen, 
learned his letters. He then called upon the gentle- 
man to borrow the liook of speeches. The owner. 



pleased with his zeal, not only gave him the booi. 
but assisted him in learning to combine the letters 
into words. Under such difficulties he pressed o:. 
ward laboriously, spending usually ten or twelve houis 
at work in the shop, and then robbing himself of rest 
and recreation to devote such time as he could to 
reading. 

He went to Tennessee in 1826, and located a* 
Greenville, where he married a young lady who pos 
sessed some education. Under her instructions he 
learned to write and cipher. He became prominent 
in the village debating society, and a favorite with 
the students of Greenville College. In 1828, he or- 
ganized a working man's party, which elected him 
alderman, and in 1830 elected him mayor, which 
position he held three years. 

He now began to take a lively interest in political 
affairs; identifying himself with the working-classes, 
to which he belonged. In 1835, he was elected a 
member of the House of Representatives of Tennes- 
see. He was then just twenty-seven years of age. 
He became a very active member of the legislature 
gave his adhesion to the Democratic party, and in 
1840 "stumped the State," advocating Martin Tan 
Buren's claims to the Presidency, in opjwsition to thos, 
of Gen. Harrison. In this campaign he acquired mud; 
readiness as a speaker, and extended and increased 
his reputation. 

In 1841, he was elected State Senator; in 1843, he 
was elected a member of Congress, and by successive 
elections, held that imixsrtant jwst for ten years. In 
1853, he was elected Governor of Tennessee, and 
was re-elected in 1855. In all these res))onsible jxDsi- 
tions, he discharged his duties with distinguished abi. 



84 



ANDREW JOHNSON. 



ity, and proved himself the warm friend of the work- 
ing classes. In 1857, Mr. Johnson was elected 
United States Senator. 

Years before, in 1845, he had warmly advocated 
the annexation of Texas, stating however, as his 
reason, that he thought this annexation would prob- 
ably prove " to be the gateway out of which the sable 
sons of Africa are to pass from bondage to freedom, 
and become merged in a population congenial to 
themselves." In 1850, he also supported the com- 
promise measures, the two essential features of which 
were, that the white people of the Territories should 
be permitted to decide for themselves whether they 
would enslave the colored people or not, and that 
the *'ree States of the North should return to the 
ooiuh persons who attempted to escape from slavery. 

Mr. Johnson was neverashamedof his lowly origin: 
on the contrary, he often took pride in avowing that 
he owed his distinction to his own exertions. "Sir,'" 
said he on the floor of the Senate, " I do not forget 
that I am a mechanic ; neither do I forget that .\dam 
was a tailor and sewed fig-leaves, and that our Sav- 
ior was the son of a carpenter." 

In the Charleston-Baltimore convention of i8uj, ne 
was the choice of the Tennessee Democrats for the 
Presidency. In 1861, when the purpose of the South- 
ern Democracy became apparent, he took a decided 
stand in favor of the Union, and held that " slavery 
must be held subordinate to the Union at whatever 
cost." He returned to Tennessee, and repeatedly 
imperiled his own life to protect the Unionists of 
Tennesee. Tennessee having seceded from the 
Union, President Lincoln, on March 4th, 1862, ap- 
pointed him Military Governor of the State, and he 
established the most stringent military rule. His 
numerous proclamations attracted wide attention. In 

1864, he was elected Vice-President of the United 
States, and upon the death of Mr. Lincoln, April 15, 

1865, became President. In a speech two days later 
he said, " The American people must be taught, if 
they do not already feel, that treason is a crime and 
must be punished ; that the Government will not 
always bear with its enemies ; that it is strong not 
only to protect, but to punish. * * The people 
must understand that it (treason) is the blackest of 
crimes, and will surely be punished." Yet his whole 
administration, the history of which is so well known, 
was in utter itKonsistency with, and the most violent 



opposition to, the principles laid down in that speech. 

In his loose policy of reconstruction and general 
amnesty, he was opposed by Congress; and he char- 
acterized Congress as a new rebellion, and lawlessly 
defied it, in everything possible, to the utmost. In 
the beginnirig of 1868, on account of " high crimes 
and misdemeanors," the principal of which was the 
removal of Secretary Stanton, in violation of the Ten- 
ure of Office Act, articles of impeachment were pre- 
ferred against him, and the trial began March 23. 

It was very tedious, continuing for nearly three 
months. A test article of the impeachment was at 
length submitted to the court for its action. It was 
certain that as the court voted upon that article so 
would it vote upon all. Thirty-four voices pronounced 
the President guilty. As a two-thirds vote was neces- 
sary to his condemnation, he was pronounced ac- 
quitted, notwithstanding the great majority against 
him. The change of one vote from the not guilty 
side would have sustained the impeachment. 

The President, for the remainder of his term, was 
but little regarded. He continued, though impotent!;", 
his conflict with Congress. His own party did not 
think it expedient to renominate him for the Presi- 
dency. The Nation rallied, with enthusiasm unpar- 
alleled since the days of Washington, around the name 
of Gen. Grant. Andrew Johnson was forgotten. 
The bullet of the assassin introduced him to the 
President's chair. Notwithstanding this, never was 
there presented to a man a better opportunity to im- 
mortalize his name, and to win the gratitude of a 
nation. He failed utterly. He retired to his home 
in Greenville, Tenn., taking no very active part in 
politics until 1875. On Jan. 26, after an exciting 
struggle, he was chosen by the Legislature of Ten- 
nessee, United States Senator in the forty-fourth Con- 
gress, and took his seat in that body, at the special 
session convened by President Grant, on the sth of 
March. On the 27th of July, 1875, the ex-President 
made a visit to his daughter's home, near Carter 
Station, Tenn. When he started on his journey, he was 
apparently in his usual vigorous health, but on reach- 
ing the residence of his child the following day, was 
stricken with paralysis, rendering him unconscious. 
He rallied occasionally, but finally passed away at 
2 A.M., July 31, aged sixty-seven years. His fun- 
eral was attended at Geenville, on the 3d of August, 
with every demonstration of respect. 





'/^ Of 



£IG^7EENTn PRESIDENT. 





IlYMSS f . il^fi. 









^ LYSSES S. GRANT, the 



ighteenth President of the 

lf>' United States, was born on 

the 29th of April, 1822, of 

_^ Christian parents, in a humble 

^^K-S^^t^y home, at I'oint Pleasant, on the 
m^SSI banks of the Ohio. Shortly after 
his father moved to George- 
town, Brown Co., O. In this re- 
mote frontier hamlet, Ulysses 
received a common-school edu- 
cation. At the age of seven- 
teen, in the year 1839, he entered 
the Military Academy at West 
I'oint. Here he was regarded as a 
ioiid, sensible young man of fair abilities, and of 
sturdy, honest character. He took respectable rank 
as a scholar. In June, 1843, he graduated, about the 
middle in his class, and was sent as lieutenant of in- 
fantry to one of the distant military posts in the Mis- 
souri Territory. Two years he i)ast in these dreary 
solitudes, watching the vagabond and exasperating 
Indians. 

The war with Mexico came. Lieut. Grant was 
sent with his regiment to Corpus Chrisli. His first 
battle was at Palo Alto. There was no chance here 
for the exhibition of either skill or heroism, nor at 
Resacade la Palma, his second battle. At the battle 
of Monterey, his third engagement, it is said that 
he performed a signal service of daring and skillful 
horsemanship. His brigade had exhausted its am- 
munition. A messenger must be sent for more, along 
a route exposed to the bullets of the foe. Lieut. 
Grant, adopting an expedient learned of the Indians, 
grasped the mane of his horse, and hanging u]X)n one 
side of the aniro-al, ran the gauntlet in entire safety. 



From Monterey he was sent, with the fourth infantry, 
10 aid Gen. Scott, at the siege of Vera Cruz. In 
preparation for the march to t)ie city of Mexico, he 
was appointed quartermaster of his regiment. At the 
battle of Molino del Rey, he was promoted to a 
first lieutenancy, and was brevetted captain at Cha- 
pultepec. 

At the close of the Mexican War, Capt. Grant re- 
turned with his regiment to New York, and was again 
sent to one of the military posts on the frontier. The 
discovery of gold in California causing an immense 
tide of emigration to flow to the Pacific shores, Capt. 
Grant was sent with a battalion to Fort Dallas, in 
Oregon, for the protection of the interests of the im- 
migrants. Life was wearisome in those wilds. Capt. 
Grant resigned his commission and returned to the 
States; and having married, entered upon tHe cultiva- 
tion of a small farm near St. Ix)uis, Mo. He had but 
little skill as a famier. Finding his toil not re- 
munerative, he turned to mercantile life, entering into 
the leather business, with a younger brother, at Ga- 
lena, 111. This was in the year i860. As the tidings 
of the rebels firing on Fort Sumpter reached the ears 
of Capt. Grant in his counting-room, he said, — 
" Uncle Sam has educated me for the army ; though 
I have served him through one war, I do not feel that 
I have yet repaid the debt. I am still ready to discharge 
my obligations. I shall therefore buckle on my sword 
and see Uncle Sam through this war too." 

He went into the streets, raised a company of vol- 
unteers, and led them as their captain to Springfield, 
the capital of the State, where their services were 
offered to Gov. Yates. The Governor, impressed by 
the zeal and straightfonvard executive ability of Capt. 
Grant, gave him a desk in his office, to assist in the 
volunteer organization that was being formed in the 
Stale in behalf of the Government. On the 15th of 



88 



ULYSSES S. GRANT. 



June, t86i, Capt. Grant received a commission as 
Colonel of the Twenty-first Regiment of Illinois Vol- 
unteers. His merits as a West Point graduate, who 
had served for 15 years in the regular army, were such 
that he was soon promoted to the rank of Brigadier- 
General and was placed in command at Cairo. The 
rebels raised their banner at Paducah, near the mouth 
of tbe Tennessee River. Scarcely had its folds ap- 
peared in the breeze ere (ien. Grant was there. The 
rebels fled. Their banner fell, and the star and 
stripes were unfurled in its stead. 

He entered the service with great determination 
and immediately began active duty. This was the be- 
ginning, and until the surrender of Lee at Richmond 
lie was ever pushing the enemy with great vigor and 
effectiveness. At Belmont, a few days later, he sur- 
prised and routed the rebels, then at Fort Henry 
won another victory. Then came the brilliant fight 
at Fort Donelson. The nation was electrified by the 
victory, and the brave leader of the boys in blue was 
immediately made a M.njor-General, and the military 
aistrict of Tennessee was assigned to him. 

Like all great captains, Gen. Grant knew well how 
to secure the results of victory. He immediately 
pushed on to the enemies' lines. Then came the 
terrible battles of Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, and the 
siege of Vicksburg, where Gen. Pemberton made an 
unconditional surrender of the city with over thirty 
thousand men and one-hundred and seventy-two can- 
non. The fall of Vicksburg was by far the most 
severe blow which the rebels had thus far encountered, 
and opened up the Mississippi from Cairo to the Gulf. 

Gen. Grant was next ordered to co-operate with 
Gen. Banks in a movement upon Texas, and pro- 
ceeded to New Orleans, where he was thrown from 
his horse, and received severe injuries, from which he 
was laid up for months. He then rushed to the aid 
of Gens. Rosecrans and Tiiomas at Chattanooga, and 
by a v/onderful series of strategic and technical meas- 
ures put the Union Army in fighting condition. Then 
followed the bloody battles at Chattanooga, Lookout 
Mountain and Missionary Ridge, in which the rebels 
were routed with great loss. This won for him un- 
bounded praise in the North. On the 4th of Febru- 
ary, 1864, Congress revived the grade of lieutenant- 
general, and the rank was conferred on Gen. Grant. 
He repaired to Washington to receive his credentials 
r.nd enter upon tbf duties of his new office. 



Gen. Grant decided as soon as he took charge of 
ihe army to concentrate the widely-dispersed National 
troops for an attack upon Richmond, the nominal 
capital of the Rebellion, and endeavor there to de- 
stroy the rebel armies which would be promptly as- 
sembled from all quarters for its defence. The whole 
continent seemed to tremble under the tramp of these 
majestic armies, rushing to the decisive battle field. 
Steamers were crowded with troops. Railway trains 
were burdened with closely packed thousands. His 
plans were comprehensive and involved a series of 
campaigns, which were executed with remarkable en- 
ergy and ability, and were consummated at the sur- 
render of Lee, April 9, 1865. 

The war was ended. The Union was saved. The 
almost unanimous voice of the Nation declared Gen. 
Grant to be the most prominent instrument in its sal- 
vation. The eminent services he had thus rendered 
the country brought him conspicuously forward as the 
Republican candidate for the Presidential chair. 

At the Republican Convention held at Chicago. 
May 21, 1868, he was unanimously nominated for the 
Presidency, and at the autumn election received a 
majority of the popular vote, and 214 out of 294 
electoral votes. 

The National Convention of the Republican party 
which met at Philadelphia on the 5th of June, 1872, 
placed Gen. Grant in nomination for a second term 
by a unanimous vote. The selection was emphati- 
cally indorsed by the people five months later, 292 
electoral votes being cast for him. 

Soon after the close of his second term. Gen. Grant 
started upon his famous trip around the world. He 
visited almost every country of the civilized world, 
and was e\'erywhere received with such ovations 
and demonstrations of respect and honor, private 
as well as public and official, as were never before 
bestowed upon any citizen of the United States. 

He was the most prominent candidate before the 
Republican National Convention in iSSo for a re- 
nomination for President. He went to New York and 
embarked in the brokerage business under the firm 
nameof Grant & Ward. The latter proved a villain, 
wrecked Grant's fortune, and for larceny was sent to 
the penitentiary. The General was attacked with 
cancer in the throat, but suffered in his stoic-like 
manner, never complaining. He was re-instated as 
General of the Army and retired by Congress. The 
cancer soon finished its deadly work, and July 23, 
1885, the nation went in mourning over the death of 
the illustrious General. 




^e^ ! 



V> ' ^--^ 0% 




NINETEENTH PRESIDENT. 



91 



■^ 




y% 



o=s<— 



Kg RUTMERl'QliD Be HAYES, fa 

iTm yfl 





% UTHERFORD B. HAYES, 
Is*) the nineteentli President of 
if the United States, was born in 
Delaware, O., Oct. 4, 1822, al- 
most three months after the 



**^ death of his father, Rutherford 
Hayes. His ancestry on both 
the paternal and maternal sides, 
was of the most honorable char- 
acter. It can be traced, it is said, 
as far back as 1 280, when Hayes and 
Rutherford were two Scottish chief- 
tains, fighting side by side with 
Baliol, William Wallace and Robert 
Bruce. Both families belonged to the 
nobility, owned extensive estates, 
and had a large following. Misfor- 
tane ov;-Kaking the family, George Hayes left Scot- 
land in i6!)0, and settled in Windsor, Conn. His son 
George wai. born in Windsor, and remained there 
during his li7e. Daniel Hayes, son of the latter, mar- 
ried Sarah L;e, and lived from the time of his mar- 
riage until h^s death in Simsbury, Conn. Ezekiel, 
son of Daniel, was born in 1724, and was a manufac- 
turer of scytheii at Bradford, Conn. Rutherford Hayes, 
son of Ezekiel and grandfather of President Hayes, was 
born in New Haven, in August, 1756. He was a farmer, 
blacksmith and tavern-keeper. He emigrated to 
Vermont at an uiiknown date, settling in Brattleboro, 
where he established a hotel. Here his son Ruth- 
erford Hayes the father of President Hayes, was 



born. Ho was married, in September, 18 13, to Sophia 
Birchard, of Wilmington, Vt., whose ancestors emi- 
grated thither from Connecticut, they having been 
among the wealthiest and best famlies cf Norwich. 
Her ancestry on the male side are traced back to 
1635, to John Birchard, one of the principal founders 
of Norwich. Both of her grandfathers were soldiers 
in the Revolutionary War. 

The father of President Hayes was an industrious, 
frugal and opened-hearted man. He was of a me- 
chanical turn, and could mend a plow, knit a slock- 
ing, or do almost anything else that he choose to 
undertake. He was a member of the Church, active 
in all the benevolent enterprises of the town, and con- 
ducted his business on Christian principles. After 
the close of the war of 181 2, for reasons inexplicable 
to his neighbors, he resolved to emigrate to Ohio. 

The journey from Vermont to Ohio in that day 
when there were no canals, steamers, nor railways, 
was a very serious affair. A tour of inspection was 
first made, occupying four months. Mr. Hayts deter 
mined to move to Delaware, where the family arrived 
in 1817. He died July 22, 1822, a victim of malarial 
fever, less than three months before the birth of the 
son, of whom we now write. Mrs. Hayes, in her sore be- 
reavement, found the support she so much needed in 
her brother Sardis, who had been a member of the 
household from the day of its departure from Ver- 
mont, and in an orphan girl whom she had adopted 
some time before as an act of charity. 

.Mrs. Hayes at this period was very weak, and the 



RUTHERFORD S. TTAVES^ 



subject of this sketch was so feeble at binli that he 
was not expected to live beyond a month or two at 
most. As the months went by he grew weaker and 
weaker, so that tlie neighbors were in the habit of in- 
(luiring from time to time " if Mrs. Hayes' baby died 
last night." On one occasion a neighbor, who was on 
familiar terms with the family, after alluding to the 
boy's big head, and the mother's assiduous care of 
nim, said in a bantering way, " That's right! Stick to 
him. You have got him along so far, and I shouldn't 
wonder if he would really come to something yet." 

"You r.eed not laugh," said Mrs. Hayes. "You 
vait and see. You can't tell but I shall make him 
President of the United States yet." The boy lived, 
in spite of the universal predictions of his speedy 
death; and when, in ICS25, his older brother was 
drowned, he became, if possible, still dearer to his 
motlier. 

The boy was seven years old before he went to 
school. His education, however, was not neglected. 
He probably learned as much from his mother and 
sister as he would have done at scliool. His sjiorts 
were almost wholly within doors, his playmates l)eing 
his sister and her associates. Tiiese circumstances 
tended, no doubt, to foster that gentleness of dispo- 
sition, and that delicate consideration for the feelings 
of others, which are marked traits of his character. 

His uncle Sardis Birchard took the deepest interest 
in his education; and as the boy's health had im- 
proved, and lie was making good progress in his 
stuilies, he proposed to send him to college. His pre- 
paration commenced with a tutor at home; but he 
was afterwards sent for one year to a professor in the 
Wesleyan University, in Middletown, Conn. He en- 
tered Kenyon College in 1838, at the age of sixteen, 
and was graduated at the head of his class in 1842. 

Immediately after his graduation he began the 
study of law in the office of Thomas Sparrow, Esq., 
in Columbus. Finding his opportunities for study in 
Columbus somewhat limited, he determined to enter 
the T,aw School at Cambridge, Mass., wliere he re- 
mained two years. 

In 1845, after graduatmg at the Law School, he was 
admitted to tlie bar at Marietta, Ohio, and shortly 
afterward went into practice as an attorney-at-law 
with Ralph V. Buckland, of Fremont. Mete he re- 
mained three years, acipiiring but a limited practice, 
and apparently unambitious of distinction in his pro- 
fession. 

In 1S49 he niOved to Cincmnati, where his ambi- 
tion found a new stimulus. For several years, _ how- 
ever, his progress was slow. Two events, occurring at 
tliis period, had a (wwerful influence upon his sulise- 
(;uent life. One of these was his marrage with Miss 
Lucy Ware Webb, daughter of Dr. James Webb, of 
Chilicothe; the other was his introduction to the Cin- 
cinnati Literary Club, a body embracing among its 
members suck mci\ as'^hief Justice Salmon P. Chase, 



Gen. John Pope, Gov. Edward F. Noyes, and many 
others hardly less distinguished in afterlife. The 
marriage was a fortunate one in every respect, as 
everybody knows. Not one of all the wives of our 
Presidents was more universally admired, reverenced 
and beloved than was Mrs. Hayes, and no one did 
moretlian she to reflect honor upon American woman- 
iiood. The Literary Cliuj brought Mr. Hayes into 
constant association with young men of high char- 
acter and noble aims, and lured him to display '.he 
qualities so long hidden by his bashfulne^s and 
modesty. 

In 1856 he was nominated to the office of Judg: of 
the Court of Common Pleas; but he declined to a"- 
cept the nomination. Two years later, the ofhce of 
city solicitor becoming vacant, the City CoMncii. 
elected him for the unexpired term. 

\\\ 1 86 1, when the Rebellion broke out, he was ar 
the zenith of his professional 'if.. His rank at ihc 
bar was among the the first. But the news of the 
attack on Fort Sumpter found him eager to take 10 
arms for the defense of his countiy. 

His military record was bright and illustrio\is. In 
October, 1861, he was made Lieutenant-Colonel, and 
in August, 1862, promoted Colonel of the 7yth Ohio 
regiment, but he refused to leave his old comrades 
and go among strangers. Subsequently, however, he 
was made Colonel of his old regiment. At the battle 
of South Mountain he received a wound, and while 
faint and bleeding displayed courage r.nd fortitude 
that won .idmiration from all. 

Col. Hayes was detached from his regiment, after 
his recovery, to act as Brigadier-Cieneral, and placed 
m command of the celebrated Kanavdui division, 
and for gallant and meritorious services in the battles 
of Winchester, Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek, he was 
promoted lirigadier-General. He was also brevetted 
Major-General, "forgallant and distinguished Fcrvices 
during the campaigns of 1864. in West Virginia." In 
the course of his arduous services, four horses were 
shot from under him, and he was wounded four times 

In 1864, Gen. Hayes was elected to Congress, from 
the Scconil Oliio District, which had long been Dem- 
ocratic. He was not present during the campaign, 
and after his election was importuned to resign his 
commission in the army ; but he finally declared, '" 1 
sliall never come to Washington unlil I can come by 
tlie way of Richmond." He was re-elected in 1S66. 

In 1867, Gen Hayes was elected Governor of Ohio, 
over Hon. Allen G. Thurman, a populai Democrat. 
In 1869 was re-elected over George H. Pendleton. 
He was elected Governor for tha third term in 1875. 

in 1876 he was the standard beaier of the Re])ub- 
lican Party in the Presidential contest, and after a 
hard long contest was chosen President, and was in 
aui;uvated Monday, March 5, 1875. He served his 
full term, not, h.twever, with satisfaction to his party, 
but his administration was an average op.=; 



^'"^ 





TiVENTIETH PRESIDENT. 



<)5 







I MHE'^ A, ©ARFIELI). 



'-iv^^^ivr^^/^-r^F?-,; .; 






AMES A. (^.ARFIELD, twen- 
tieth President of the United 
States, was bora Nov. ig, 
I S3 1, in the woods of Orange, 
Cuyahoga Co., O His par- 
ents were Abram and Ehza 
,j^ (Ballou) Garfield, botli of New 
England ancestry and from fami- 
lies well known in the early his- 
', tory of that section of our coun- 
try, but had moved to the Western 
Reserve, in Ohio, early in its settle- 
ment. 

The house in which James A. was 
born was not unlike the houses of 
poor Oliio farmers of that day. It 
„rfs about 20x30 feet, built of logs, with the spaces be- 
•ween the logs filled with clay. His father was a 
.lard working farmer, and he soon had his fields 
cleared, an orchard planted, and a log barn built, 
i'he household comprised the father and mother and 
heir four children — Mchetabcl, 'Ihomas, Mary and 
'ames. In May, 1823, the father, from a cold con- 
.racted in helping to put out a forest fire, died. At 
ihis lime James was about eighteen months old, and 
Thomas about ten years old. No one, ])erhaps, can 
.ell how much James was indei-ted to his bioiher's 
toil and self sacrifice during the twenty years suc- 
ceeding his father's death, but undoubtedly very 
much. He now lives in Michigan, and the two sis- 
itrs live in .Solon, O., near their birthplace. 

The early educational advantages young Garfield 
enjoyed were very limited, yet he made the most of 
them. He labored at farm work for others, did car- 
penter work, chopped wood, or did anything that 
would l)ring in a few dollars lo aid his widowed 
mother in he' >;ttiiqgles to keep the little family to- 



gether. Nor was Gen. Garfield ever ashamed of his 
origin, and he never forgot the friends of his strug- 
gling childhood, youth and manhood, neither did they 
ever forget him. When in the highest seals of honor. 
the humblest fiiend of his boyhood was as kindly 
greeted as ever. The jworest laborer was sure of the 
sympathy of one who had known all the bitterness 
of want and the sweetness of bread earned by the 
sweat of the brow. He was ever the simple, plain, 
modest gentleman. 

The highest ambition of young Garfield until hi 
was about sixteen years old was to be a captain of 
a vessel on Lake Etic. lie was anxious to go aboard 
a vessel, which his mother strongly opposed. She 
finally consented to his going to Cleveland, with thf; 
understanding, however, that he should try to obtair 
some other kind of employment. He walked all the 
way to Cleveland. This was his first visit to the city 
After making many applications for work, and trying 
to get aboard a lake vessel, and not meeting with 
success, he engaged as a driver for his cousin, Amos 
Letcher, on the Ohio & Pennsylvania Canal. He re- 
mained at this work but a short time when he wen': 
home, and attended the seminary at Chester for 
about three years, when he entered Hiram and the 
Eclectic Institute, teaching a few terms of school in 
tiie meantime, and doing other work. This school 
was started by the Disci|)les of Christ in 1850, of 
which church he was then a member. He became 
janitor and bell-ringer in order to help pay his way 
He then became both teacher and pupil. He soon 
" exhausted Hiram " and needed more ; hence, in the 
fall of 1854, he entered Williams College, from which 
he graduated in 1856, taking one of the highest hon- 
ors of his class. He afterwards returned to Hiram 
College as its President. As above staled, he early 
united with the Christian or Dicijiles Church at 
Hiram, and was ever after a devoted, zealous n)em- 
ber, often preaching in its ]iulpit and places where 
he happened to be. Or. No.ih Porter, President of 
Yale College, says of him in reference to his relijiion : 



90 



JAMES A. GARFIELD. 



" President Garfield was more than a man of 
strong moral and religious convictions. His whole 
history, from boyhood to the last, shows that duty to 
man and to God, and devotion to Christ and life and 
faith and spiritual commission were controlling springs 
of his being, and to a more than usual degree. In 
my judgment there is no more interesting feature of 
his character than his loyal allegiance to the body of 
Christiaus in which he was trained, and the fervent 
sympathy which he ever showed in their Christian 
communion. Not many of the few 'wise and mighty 
and noble who are called' show a similar loyalty to 
the less stately and cultured Christian comnmnions 
in which they have been reared. Too often it is true 
that as they step upward in social and political sig- 
nificance they step upward from one degree to 
another in some of the many types of fashionable 
Christianity. President Garfield adhered to the 
church of his mother, the church in which he was 
trained, and in which he served as a pillar and an 
evangelist, and yet with the largest and most unsec- 
1,arian ciiarity for all ' wlio love our Lord in sincerity.'" 

Mr. Garfield was united in marriage with Miss 
Lucretia Rudolph, Nov. 1 1, 1858, who proved herself 
worthy as the wife of one whom all the world loved and 
mourned. To them were born seven children, five of 
whom are still living, four boys and one girl. 

Mr. Garfield made his first political speeches in 1856, 
:in Hiram and the neighboring villages, and three 
years later he began to speak at county mass-meet- 
ings, and became the favorite speaker wherever he 
was. During this year he was elected to the Ohio 
Senate. He also began to study law at Cleveland, 
and in 1861 was admitted to the bar. The great 
Rebellion broke out in the early part of this year, 
and Mr. Garfield at once resolved to fight as he had 
talked, and enlisted to defend the old flag. He re- 
ceived his commission as Lieut.-Colonel of the Forty- 
second Regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Aug. 
14, 1 86 1. He was immediately put into active ser- 
vice, and before he had ever seen a gun fired in action, 
was placed in command of four regiments of infantry 
and eight companies of cavalry, charged with the 
work of driving out of his native .State the officer 
(Humphrey Marshall) reputed to be the ablest of 
those, not educated to war whom Kentucky had given 
to the Rebellion. This work was bravely and speed- 
ily accomplished, although against great odds. Pres- 
ident Lincoln, on his success commissioned him 
Brigadier-General, Jan. 10, 1862; and as "he had 
been the youngest man in the Ohio Senate two years 
before, so now he was the youngest General in the 
army." He was with Gen. Buell's army at Shiloli, 
in itsoperations around Corinth and its march through 
Alabama. He was then detailed as a memberof the 
General Court-Martial for the trial of Gen. Fitz-John 
Porter. He was then ordered to report to Gen. Rose- 
crans, and was assigned to the " Chief of .Staff." 

The military l^story of Gen. Garfield closed with 



his brilliant services at Chickamauga, where he won 
the stars of the Major-General. 

Without an effort on his part Ge? Garfield wa-i 
elected to Congress in the fall of 1862 from the 
Nineteenth District of Ohio. This section of Ohio 
had been represented in Congress for sixty years 
mainly by two men — Elisha \\'hittlesey and Joshua 
R. Giddings. It was not without a struggle that he 
resigned his place in the army. At the time he en- 
tered Congress he was the youngest member in that 
body. Ther'i he remained by successive re- 
elections until he was elected President in 18S0. 
Of his labors in Congress Senator Hoar says : " Sinct 
the year 1864 you cannot think of a question wliici. 
has been debated in Congress, or discussed before u 
tribunel of the American people, in regard to whici, 
you will not find, if you wish mstruction, the argu- 
ment on one side stated, in almost every instance 
better than by anybody else, in some speech made in 
the House of Representatives or on the hustings by 
Mr. Garfield." 

Upon Jan. 14, 1880, (Jen. Garfield was elected to 
the U. S. Senate, and on the eighth of June, of the 
same year, was nominated as the candidate of his 
party for President at the great Chicago Convention. 
He was elected in the following November, and on 
March 4, 1881, was inaugurated. Probably no ad- 
ministration ever opened its existence under brighter 
auspices than that of President Garfield, and every 
day it grew in favor with the people, and by the first 
of July he had completed all the initiatory and pre- 
liminary work of his administration and was prepar- 
ing to leave tlie city to meet his friends at Williams 
College. While on his way and at the depot, in com- 
pany with Secretary Blaine, a man stepped behii'd 
him, drew a revolver, and fired directly at his back. 
The President tottered and fell, ;aid as he did so the 
assassin fired a second shot, the bullet cutting the 
left coat sleeve of his victim, but in.licting nofurlhei 
injury. It has been very truthfully said that this was 
" the shot that was heard round the world " Never 
before in the history of the Nation had anything oc- 
curred which so nearly froze the blood of the peop'? 
for the moment, as this awful deed. He was smit- 
ten on the brightest, gladdest day of all his life, and 
was at the summit of his power and hope. For eighty 
days, all during the hot months of July and August, 
he lingered and suffered. He, however, remained 
master of himself till the last, and by his magnificent 
bearing was teaching the country and the world the 
noblest of human lessons — how to live grandly in the 
very clutch of death. Great in life, he was surpass- 
ingly great in death. He passed serenely away Sept. 
19, 1883, at Elberon, N. J., on the very bank of the 
ocean, where he had been taken shortly jjrevious. The 
world w'ept at his death, as it never had done on the 
death of any other man who had ever lived upon it. 
The murderer was duly tried, found guilty and exe- 
cuted, in one year after he committed the fou? deed. 



TWENTY. FIRST PRESIDENT. 



99 













HESTER 



ARTHUR, 



twenty-first Presi'^.^iu of the 

f'* United States, was born in 
Franklin Cour ty, Vermont, on 
li^o thefiftliofOdober, 18-50, andis 
""Xi I the oldest of a family of two 
sons and five daughters. His 
father was the Rev. Dr. William 
^ iSii/iL'i Arthur, aBapti3tcJ',rgyman,who 
emigrated to tb.s counti^ from 
the county Ant.-im, Ireland, in 
V'h his i8th year, and died in 1875, in 
Newtonville, neai .Mhany, after a 
long and successful ministry. 

YoUng Arthur was educated at 
Union College, S( henectady, where 
'J he excelled in all his studies. Af- 
ter his graduation he taught school 
in Vermont for two years, and at 
the expiration cf that time came to 
New York, with $500 in his pocket, 
and entered the office of ex- Judge 
E. D. Culver as student. After 
I being admitted to the bar he formed 
a partnership with his intimate friend and room-male, 
Henry O. Gardiner, with the intention of practicing 
in the West, and for three months they roamed about 
in the Western States in search of an eligible site, 
but in the end returned to New York, where they 
hung out their shingle, and entered ujwn a success- 
ful career almost from the start. General Arthur 
soon afterward maxr^d the daughter of Lieutenant 



Herndon, of the United States Navy, who was lost at 
sea. Congress voted a gold medal to his widow in 
recognition of the bravery he displayed on that occa- 
sion. Mrs. Arthur died shortly before Mr. Arthurs 
nomination to the Vice Presidency, leaving two 
children. 

Gen. Arthur obtained considerable legal celebrity 
in his first great case, the famous Lemmon suit, 
brought to recover posses..ion of eight slaves who had 
been declared free by Judge Paine, of the Superior 
Court of New York City. It was in 1852 that Jon. 
athan Lemmon, of Virginia, went to New York with 
his slaves, intending to ship them to Texas, when 
they were discovered and freed. The Judge decided 
that they could not b? held by the owner under the 
Fugitive Slave Law. A howl of rage went up from 
the South, and the Virginia Legislature authorized the 
Attorney General of that State to assist in an apiieal. 
Wm. M. Evarts and Chester A. Arthur were employed 
to represent the People, and they won their case, 
which then went to the Supreme Court of the United 
States. Charles O'Conor here esjxjused the cause 
of the slave-holders, but h.e too was beaten by Messrs 
Evarts and Arthur, and a long step was taken toward 
the emancipation of the black race. 

,\nothef great service was rendered by General 
.\rthur in the same cause in 1S56. Lizzie Jennings, 
a respectable colored woman, was put off a Fourth 
Avenue car with violence after she had paid her fare. 
General .Arthur sued on her behalf, and secured a 
verdict of S500 damages. The next day the compa- 
ny issued an order to admit colored persons to ride 
on their cars, and the other car companies quickly 



lOO 



CHESTER A. ARTHUR. 



followed their example. Before that the Sixth Ave- 
nue Company ran a few special cars for colored per- 
sons and the other lines refused to let them ride at all. 

General Arthur was a delegate to the Convention 
at Saratoga that founded the Republican party. 
Previous to the war he was Judge-Advocate of the 
Second Brigade of the State of New York, and Gov- 
ernor Morgan, of that State, appointed him Engineer- 
in-Chief of his staff. In 1861, he was made Inspec- 
tor General, and soon afterward became Quartermas- 
ter-General. In each of these offices he rendered 
great service to the Government during the war. At 
the end of Governor Morgan's term he resumed the 
practice of the law, forming a partnership with Mr. 
Ransom, and then Mr. Phelps, the District Attorney 
of New Yotk, was added to the firm. The legal prac- 
tice of this well-known firm was very large and lucra- 
tive, each of the gentlemen composing it were able 
lawyers, and possessed a splendid local reputation, if 
not indeed one of national extent. 

He always took a leading part in State and city 
politics. He was appointed Collector of the Port of 
New York by President Grant, Nov. 21 1872, to suc- 
ceed Thomas Murphy, and held the office until July, 
?o, 1878, when he was succeeded by Collector Mcrritt. 

Mr. ,\rthur was nominated on the Presidential 
ticket, with Gen. James A. Garfield, at the famous 
National Republican Convention held at Chica;40 in 
June, t88o. This was perhaps the greatest political 
convention that ever assembled on thecontinent. It 
was composed of the 'fading politicians of the Re- 
publican party, all able men, and each stood firm and 
fought vigorously and with signal tenacity for their 
respective candidates that were before the conven- 
tion for the nomination. Finally Gen. Garfield re- 
ceived the nomination for President and Gen. Arthur 
for Vice-President. The campaign which followed 
was one of the most animated known in the history of 
our country. Gen. Hancock, the standard-bearer of 
the Democratic party, was a popular man, and his 
party made a valiant fight for his election. 

Finally the election came and the country's choice 
vvas Garfield and Arthur. They were inaugurated 
iViarch 4, 1881, as President and Vice-President. 
A few months only had passed ere the newly chosen 
President was the victim of the assassin's bullet. Then 
came terrible weeks of suffering, — those moments of 
anxious suspense, when the hearts of all civilized na- 



tions were throbbing in unison, longing for the re- 
covery of the noble, the good President. The remark- 
able patience that he manifested during those hours 
and weeks, and even months, of the most terrible suf- 
fering man has often been called upon to endure, was 
seemingly more than human. It was certainly God- 
like. During all this period of deepest anxiety Mr, 
Arthur's every move was watched, and be it said to his 
credit that his every action displayed only an earnest 
desire that the suffering (Jarficld might recover, to 
serve the remainder of the term he had so auspi- 
ciously begun. Not a selfish feeling was manifested 
in deed or look of this man, even though the most 
lionored jjosition in the world was at any moment 
likely to fall to him. 

At last God in his mercy relieved President Gar- 
field from further suffering, and the world, as never 
before in its history over the death of any other 
man, wept at his bier. Then it became the duty of 
the Vice President to i.ssume the responsibilities of 
the high office, and he took the oath in New York. 
Sei)t. 20, 1 88 1. The position was an embarrassing 
one to hiiH, made doubly so from the facts that all 
eyes were on him, anxious to know what he would do, 
what policy he would pursue, and who he would se- 
lect as advisers. The duties of the office had been 
greatly neglected during the President's long illness, 
and many inyiortant measures were to be immediately 
decided by him ; and still farther to embarrass him he 
did not fail to realize under what circumstances he 
became President, and knew the feelings of many on 
this point. Under these trying circumstances President 
Arthur took the reins of the Government in his own 
hands; and, as embarrassing as were the condition of 
affairs, he happily surprised the nation, acting so 
wisely that but few criticised his administration. 
He served the nation well and faithfully, until the 
close of his administration, March 4, 1885, and was 
a popular candidate before his party for a second 
term. His name was ably presented before the con- . 
vention at Chicago, and was received with great 
favor, and doubtless but for the personal popularity 
of one of the opposing candidates, he would have 
been selected as the standard-bearer of his party 
for another campaign. He retired to private life car- 
rying with him the best wishes of the American |)eo- 
ple, whom he had served in a manner satisfactory 
to them and with credit to himself. 




^xj^i:rt^r' 



C/-C-uC^CCL-LyU^X 



TWENTY-SECOND PRESIDENT. 



»o3 





■&^y:^^^ 



I 



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•r:o\ic-r CIex)olaud> 



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- oro 



" 04iO 



TEPHEN GROVER CLEVE- 
LAND, tlie twenty- second Pres- 
ident of the United States, was 
born in 1837, in tlie obscure 
town of Caldwell, Essex Co., 
" ' N. J., and ill a little two-and-a- 
half-story white house which is still 
standing, characteristically to mark 
the humble birth-place of one of 
America's great men in striking con- 
trast with the Old World, where all 
men high in office must be high in 
origin and born in the cradle of 
wealth. When the subject of this 
sketch was three years of age, his 
father, who was a Presbyterian min- 
ister, with a large family and a small salary, moved, 
by way of the Hudson River and Erie Canal, to 
Fayetteville, in search of an increased income and a 
larger field of work. Fayetteville was then the most 
straggling of country villages, about five miles from 
Pompey Hill, where Governor Seymour was born. 

At the last mentioned place young Grover com- 
menced going to school in the "good, old-fashioned 
way," and presumably distinguished himself after tiie 
manner of all village boys, in doing the things he 
ought not to do. Such is the distinguishing trait of 
all geniuses and independent thinkers. When he 
arrived at the age of 14 years, he had outgrown the 
capacity of the village school and expressed a most 



emphatic desire to be sent to an academy. To this 
his father decidedly objected. Academies in those 
days cost money; besides, his father wanted him to 
become self-supirorting by the quickest possible 
means, and this at that time in Fayetteyille seemed 
to be a position in a country store, where his father 
and the large family on his hands had considerable 
inflaence. Grover was to 1)0 paid $50 for his services 
llie first year, and if he proved trustworthy he was to 
receive $100 the second year. Here the lad com- 
menced his career as salesman, and in two years he 
had earned so good a reputation for trustworthiness 
that his employers desired to retain him for an in. 
definite length of time. Otherwise he did not ex- 
hibit as yet any particular " flashes of genius " or 
eccentricities of talent. He was simply a good boy. 
But instead of remaining with this firm in Fayette- 
ville, he went with the family in their removal to 
Clinton, where he had an opportunity of attending a 
high school. Here he industriously pursued his 
studies until the family removed with him to a point 
on Black River known as the " Holland Patent," a 
village of 500 or 600 people, 15 miles north of Utica, 
N. Y. At this place his father died, after preaching 
but three Sundays. This event broke up the family, 
and Grover set out for New York City to accept, at a 
small salary, the position of " under-teacher " in an 
asylum for the blind. He taught faithfully for two 
years, and although he obtained a good reputation in 
this capacity, he concluded that teaching was not his 



t04 



S. GROVER CLEVELAND. 



calling for life, and, reversing the traditional order, 
he left the city to seek his fortune, instead of going 
to a city. He first thought of Cleveland, Ohio, as 
there was some charm in that name for him; but 
before proceeding to that place he went to Buffalo to 
isk the advice of his uncle, Lewis F. Allan, a noted 
stock-breeder of that place. The latter did not 
speak enthusiastically. ''What is it you want to do, 
my boy.'" he asked. "Well, sir, I want to study 
law," was the reply. "Good gracious!" remarked 
ihe old gentleman ; " do you, indeed ? What ever put 
that into your head? How much money have you 
got?" •"Well, sir, to tell the truth, I hayen't got 
any." 

After a long consultation, his uncle offered him a 
place temporarily as assistant herd-keeper, at $50 a 
year, while he could "look around." One day soon 
afterward he boldly walked into the office of Rogers, 
Bowen & Rogers, of Buffalo, and told Ihem what he 
wanted. A number of young men were already en- 
gaged in the office, but Grover's persistency won, and 
ne was finally permitted to come as an office boy and 
Have the use of the law library, for the nominal sum 
of $3 or $4 a week. Out of this he had to pay for 
his board and washing. The walk to and from his 
uncle's was a long and rugged one; and, although 
the first winter was a memorably severe one, his 
shoes were out of repair and his overcoat — he had 
none — yet he was nevertheless prompt and regular. 
On the first day of his service here, his senior em- 
ployer threw down a copy of Blackstone before him 
with a bang that made the dust fly, saying "That's 
where they all begin." A titter ran around the little 
circle of clerks and students, as they thought that 
was enough to scare young Grover out of his plans ; 
out in due time he mastered that cumbersome volume. 
Then, as ever afterward, hovifever, Mr. Cleveland 
exhibited a talent *for cxecutiveness rather than for 
chasing principles through all their metaphysical 
possibilities. " Let us quit talking and go and do 
it," was practically his motto. 

The first public office to which Mr. Cleveland was 
elected was that of Sheriff of Erie Co., N. Y., in 
which Buffalo is situated; and in such capacity it fell 
to his duty to inflict capital punishment upon tv/o 
ctiminals. Li 1881 he was elected Mayor of the 
City of Buffalo, oa the Democratic ticket, with es- 
pecial reference to the bringing about certain reforms 



in the administration of the municipal affairs of that 
city. Li this office, as well as that of Sheriff, his 
performance. of duty has generally been considered 
fair, with possibly a few exceptions which were fer- 
reted out and magnified during the last Presidential 
campaign. As a specimen of his plain language in 
a veto message, we quote from one vetoing an iniqui- 
tous street-cleaning contract: "This is a time for 
plain speech, and my objection to your action shall 
be plainly stated. I regard it as the culmination of 
a mos bare-faced, impudent and shameless scheme 
to betray the interests of the people and to worse 
than squander the people's money." The New York 
Sun afterward very highly commended Mr. Cleve- 
land's administration as Mayor of Buffalo, and there- 
upon recommended him for Governor of the Empire 
State. To the latter office he was elected in 1882, 
and his administration of the affp.irs of State was 
generally satisfactory. The mistakes he made, if 
any, were made very public throughout the nation 
after he was nominated for President of the United 
States. For this high office he was nominated July 
II, 1884, by the National Democratic Convention at 
Chicago, when other competitors were Thomas F. 
Bayard, Rosvvell P. Flower, Thomas A. Hendricks, 
Benjamin F. Butler, Allen G. Thurman, etc.; and he 
was elected by the people, by a majority of about a 
thousand, over the brilliant and long-tried Repub- 
lican statesman, James G. Blaine. President Cleve- 
land resigned his office as Governor of New York in 
January, 1885, in order to prepare for his duties as 
the Chief Executive of the United States, in which 
capacity his term commenced at noon on the 4th of 
March, 1885. For his Cabinet officers he selected 
the following gentlemen: For Secretary of State, 
Thomas F. Bayard, of Delaware ; Secretary of the 
Treasury, Daniel Manning, of New York ; Secretary 
of War, William C. Endicott, of Massachusetts ; 
Secretary of the Navy, William C. Whitney, of New 
York ; Secretary of the Interior, L. Q. C. Lamar, of 
Mississippi; Postmaster-General, William F. Vilas, 
of Wisconsin ; Attorney-General, A. H. Garland, of 
Arkansas. 

The silver question precipitated a controversy be- 
tween those who were in favor of the continuance of 
silver coinage and those who were opposed, Mr. 
Cleveland answering for the latter, even before his 
inausuration. 





C-V^ 



^^^'T^'^^Vi-^it^-'Z^ 



TWENTY-THIRU rilESIDENT. 



107 












1, '<S-;' 



f^ 



>■ o*o-@^<^tQ)"'>*0" 




"^ " ^^ENJAMIN HARRISON, the 
lwcnt3--tliii(l I'lesidciit, is 
tlu? (Icscendaiit of one of the 
historical f.'iiiiilics of this 
country. The head of the 
family was a Major General 
7:U-^Q Harrison, one of Oliver 
Cromwell's trusted follow- 
ers and fighters. In the zenith of C'rom- 
^i well's power it became the duty of this 
Harrison to particijiate in the trial of 
Charles I, and afterward to sign the 
death warrant of the king. He subse- 
quently paid for this with his life, being 
hung Oct. 13, IGCO. His descendants 
came to America, and the next of the 
family that ai)pi'ars in history is Benju- 
Kiu 'larrison, of Virginia, great-grand- 
father of the subject of this sketch, and 
after whom he was named. Benjamin Harrison 
was a incuiber of the Continental Congress during 
the year? i774-5-C, and was one of the original 
signers of the Declaration of Independence. He 
was threo times elected Governor of Virginia 
Gea William IlcMiiy Harrison, the son of the 




distinguished patriot of the Revolution, after a suc- 
cessful career as a soldier during the War of 1812, 
and with -a clean record as Governor of the North- 
western Territory, was elected President of the 
United States in 1840. His career was cut short 
by death within one month :.fter Ins inr.uguratiou. 
President Harrison was born at North Bend, 
Hamilton Co., Ohio, Aug. .'^O, 1883 His life upto 
the time of his graduation by the Miami University 
at Oxford, Ohio, was the uneventful one of a coun- 
trj'- lad of a family of small means. His father was 
able to give him a good education, and nothing 
more. He became engaged while at college to tho 
daughter of Dr. Scott, Principal of a female school 
at Oxford. After graduating he determined to en- 
ter upon the study of the law. He went t« Cin 
cinnati and then read law for two years. At tht 
ex[)iralion of that time young Harrison receivod tho 
only inheritance of his life; his aunt dying left him 
a lot valued at ^800. He regarded this legacy as k 
fortune, and decided to get married at once, 'aks 
this money and go to some Eastern town an '. 'oe- 
gin the practice of law. He sold his lot, and with 
the money in his pocket, he started out witu his 
young wife to fight for a place <ii the world. [le 



lOtf 



iiEWjAMlN HARRISON. 



decided to go to Indianapolis, wliich was even at 
tliat time a town of promise. He met with sligiit 
encouragement at first, maiving scarecly anything 
the first year. He worked diligently, applying him- 
self closely to his calling, bnilt up an extensive 
practice and took a leading rank in the legal pro- 
fession. He is the father of two children. 

In 186C Mr. Harrison was nominated for the 
position of Supreme Court Reporter, and then be- 
gan his experience as a stump speake- He can- 
vassetJ the .State thoroughlj', and was elected by a 
handsome majority. In 18G2 he raised the 17th 
Indiana Infantry, and was chosen its Colonel. His 
regiment vvas composed of the rawest of material, 
out Col. Harrison employed all his time at first 
mastering military tactics and drilling his men, 
v;hen he therefore came to move toward the East 
with .Sherman his regiment was one of the best 
cirilled and organized in the army. At Resaca he 
especially distinguished himself, and for his bravery 
nt Peachtree Creek he w.as made a Brigadier Gen- 
eral, Gen. Hooker speaking of him in the most 
?oraplimentar}' terms. 

During the absence of Gen. Harrison in the field 
he Supreme Cor.rt declared the ollice of the Su- 
preme Court Rei)orter vacant, and another person 
was elected to the position. From the time of leav- 
irg Indiana with his regiment until the fall of 1864 
he had taken no leave of absence, but having been 
nominated that year for the same ofHce, he got a 
thirty-day leave of absence, and during that time 
made a brilliant canvass of the State, and was elected 
for another terra. He then started to rejoin Sher- 
}]ian,buton the way was stricken down with scarlet 
_ever, and after a most trying siege made his way 
to the front in time to participate in the closing 
lEcidents of the war. 

In IBGSGen. Harrison declined z re-election as 
reporter, and resumed tlie practice of law. In 1876 
£e was a candidate for Governor. Although de- 
eated, the brilliant cam[)aign he made won for him 
a National reputation, and he was much sought, es- 
pecial.y in the East, to make speeches. In 1880, 
as usual, he took an active part in the campaign, 
and wa'. elected to the United States Senate. Here 
he served six years, and r/as known a§ one oi the 
ablest men, best lawyers und strongest debaters in 



that body. With the expiration of his Senatorial 
term he returned to the practice of his profession, 
becoming the head of one of the strongest firms in 
the State. 

The political campaign of 1888 was one of the 
most memorable in the history of our countr\'. The 
convention which assembled in Chicago in June and 
named Mr. Harrison as the chief standard bearer 
of the Republican part\', was great in every partic- 
ular, and on this account, and the attitude it as- 
sumed u^ion the vital questions of the day, chief 
among which was the tariff, awoke a deep interest 
in the campaign throughout the Nation. Shortly 
after the nomination delegations began to visit Mr. 
Harrison .at Indianapolis, his home. This move- 
ment became popular, and from all sections of the 
country societies, clubs and delegations journeyed 
thither to pay their respects to the distinguished 
statesman. The popularitj' of these was greatly 
increased on account of the remarkable speeches 
made by Mr. Harrison. He spoke daily all through 
tiie summer and autumn to these visiting delega- 
tions, and so varied, masterly and eloquent were 
his speeches that they at once placed hira in the 
foremost rank of American orators and statesmen. 

On account of his eloquence as a speaker and his 
power as a debater, he was called upon at an iin- 
corcmonly early age to take part in the discussion 
of the great questions that then began U agitate 
the country. He was an uncompromising anti 
slavery man, and was matched against some of t'.:e 
most eminent Democratic speakers of his State. 
No man who felt the touch of his Ijlade derired to 
be pitted with him again. "With all his eloq-'ence 
as an orator he never spoke for oratorica'i effect, 
but his words alwa3's went like bullets to the mark 
He is purely American in his ide.as and is a splec 
did type of the American statesman. Gifted witl. 
quick perception, a logical mind and a ready tongue, 
he is one of the most distinguished impromptu 
speakers in the Nation. Many of these speeches 
sparkled with the rarest of eloquence and contained 
arguments of greatest weight. Jlanj' of his terse 
st.atenients have already become aphorisms. Origi- 
nal in thought, precise in logic, terse in statement, 
yet withal faultless in eloquence, he is recognized as 
the sound statesman and brill iau: orator o- tac day 



^^k^ 












( '# 




-^^ 



(iOVKUNUUs OK IOWA. 



n 







■S^ 



^^€^f^^m^§\-Q)(9^- 





"" oiio 



XSEL P.RTflOS, the first 
irt'iitloninn clioscn to till tlic 
aulicniatnrial <'liair (if Iowa 
aftrr its organization as a 
State. V)-a.s a native of Ver- 
mont, anil was liorn Feb. 3, 
180G. His ])ai'eiits. wlii likewise 
were Xew Kniilanders, were Ben- 
jamin anil I'jiec-ta ISriggs. The 
boyhood of our sniijeot was 
passed in iiis native State. ;inil in at- 
tenilaiire u|iiin the ronunon schools 
he received a fair education whicli 
was subsequently' improved by a 
term at Norwich Academy. When 
young man he removed with his 
parents to Cambridge, (uiern.se^' Co., Ohio, where 
young Briggs engaged in the work of establishing 
stage lines. lie also here embarked in politie.il 
affnir.s and a.s a Whig run f(jr the odice of County 
Auditor but w:is defeated by .lohn Ferguson, a 
.lackson 1 democrat. 

After remaining in Oliio for six years, the glow- 
ing accounts of the fair fields and tlie fertile jjrairies 
of the Territory of Iowa, led him westward across 
the Father of Waters. He had iirevioiisly united 
i.is fortunes in life with Nancy .M. Dunlap. daugh- 
ter (.f Major Dunlap. an olllcer in the War of 1S12. 
Even prior to this marriage he iiad cliosen a wife. 
f> lady who was born on the siinie day and year a.s 
himself, but of whom he was soon bereft. He 
.jrought with him to Iowa his little family and lo- 
:i'lt;d at Andri'w in Jackson I'oiiiitv. See''«r tlic 



opportunity here for resuming his former business, 
he began opening ui) stage lines, freiiuently driving 
tlie old stage coach himself. lie made several con- 
tracts witli the I'ostollice Department for c-arrving 
the I'nited .States mails weekly between Dubuque 
and Davenport, Dubuque and Iowa City and other 
routes, thus o|)ening up and carrying on a very im- 
portant enterprise. I'oliticall}', ( Jov. Uriggs was a 
Democrat, and on coming t<j Iowa idenlilied iiiin- 
self with that party. In 1HI2 lie wa.s chosen a 
inendjer of tlie Territori.al House of Representatives 
from .lackson County, and subsequently w.is elected 
SlieritT of tlie same I'oimty. He had taken a lead- 
ing part in pulilic affairs, and upon the formation of 
the Stiite Government in 18-Ki, he became a i)rom- 
inent candidate for Ciovernor, and though his com- 
petitors in hi- own part}' were distinguish<-d and 
well-known citizens, Mr. Briggs received the nom- 
ination. The convention w.-ij held in Iowa City, 
on Thursday. Se|)t. '21, \K[l>, and Jissendiled to 
nominate .Stitc oilieers and two Congressmen. It 
w.is calleil to order by F. I). Mills, of Des Moines 
County. William Thompson, of Ilein-y County, 
presided. ;ind .1. T. Fales, of Dubuipie, was .Secre- 
tarj'. Tlui vote for (Jovernor in the convention 
stood: Ihiggs, sixty-two; .Ies.sL Williams, thirty- 
two, and William Thonq)son. thirty-one. Th-; two 
latter withdrew, ainl Hriggs wa.s then choisen by ac- 
clamation. Kli^ha Cutler, .Ir., of Van liuren Comi- 
ty, w:is nominated for .SeereUry of State; Joseph 
T. Fales. of Linn, for Auditor, and Morgan lieno, 
of .lohn.son, for Treasurer. S. C. Hastings and 
Sheuerd LeHicr were uominateil for Congress. 1 uc 



112 



ANSKL BRIGGS. 



i-lcftion was held Oct. 28, 1840. the cntiri- Dcino- 
CT.atic ticket being successful. l>>'ig,y:s received 
7,020 voles and his competitor, Thomas McKnight, 
the Wliig candidate, 7,379, giving Briggs a major- 
ity of 247. ^ 

The principal question lietwecn the two leading 
parties, the Democratic anil the AViiig. at this period, 
\-.-as that of the lianlving s3-stem. It is related that 
I sliort time |)ri()r to the meeting of the couven- 
;ion which nominated Mr. Briggs, that in offering 
I toast at a banipiet, he struck the key-note which 
(uadc him tlio popnlar iumu of tlic hour. He said, 
"No banlvs but eartli and they well tilled." This 
was at once caught up l)y his party and it did more 
to secure iiiui tlie nomination than an^ything else. 
His adnunistration was one void of any special in- 
terest. He labored in liarmonious accord with his 
party, yet frequentl\- exhibited an independence of 
principle, characteristic of his n.ature. The Mis- 
souri boundary question which caused a great deal 
of excited controversy at this period, and even a 
determinatiitn to resort to anus, was handled b}- 
liini with great ability. 

On his election as Executive of the State, Gov. 
liriggs sold out his mail contract, liut after the ex- 
pir.ation of his term of service lie continued his 
residence in Jackson County. In I.S70 he removed 
to Council Bluffs. He had visited the western 
jiart of the State Ijefore the day of railroads in that 
section, making the trip by carriage. On the occa- 
sion he enrolled himself as one of the founders of 
the town of Florence on the Nebraska side of the 
river and six miles above Council Bluffs, and which 
for a time was a vigorous rival of Omaha. Dur- 
ing the mining excitement, in 18G(), he made a trij) 
to Colorado, and three years later, in company 
with his son John and a large party, went to 
Montana, where he remained until the year 



1 sij.j, when he returned to his home in Iowa. 

As above stated. Gov. Briggs was twice married, 
his first wife being his companion for ;•. brief lime 
only. His second wife bore him eight ciiildren, all 
of whom died in infancj- save two, and of these lat- 
ter, Ansel, th:. died May 15, 1807, aged twenty- 
five years. John S. Briggs, the onlj- survivor of 
the family, is editor ot the Idaho Ilcrald. publisiied 
at Blackfoot, Idaho Territory. Mrs. Briggs died 
Dec. 30, 1847, while her husband was Governor of 
the State. She was a devoted Christian ladj', a 
strict member of the PresVjyterian Church, and a 
woman of strong domestic tastes. She was highly 
educated, and endowed b}' nature with that 
womanly tact and grace which enabled her to adorn 
the high position her husband had attained. 
Slie dispensed a bounteous hospitality, though her 
home was in a log house, and was highly esteemed 
and admired by ail who met her. 

Gov. Briggs went in and out among his people 
for many j-ears after his retirement from the execu- 
tive ollice, and even after his return from the Mon- 
tana expedition. He was admired for his able 
services rendered so unselfishly during the pioneer 
[jcriod of the now great and populous State. His 
last illness, ulceration of the stomach, was of lirii'f 
(buation, lasting only five weeks, indeed only three 
daj-s before his death he was able to be out. His 
demise occurred at the residence of his son, .John 
S. Briggs, in Omaha, Neb., at half-past three of the 
morning of May 5, 1881. His death was greatly 
mourned all over the State. Upon the foUowing 
day, (;ov. Gear issued a proclamation reciting his 
services to tiie State, ordering half-hour guns to be 
lired and tlic national flag on the State capitol to 
be put Ml JKilf-mast during the day upon which 
tlie funcr.-d w.-is lield, which was the following Sun- 
day succeeding his death. 







>-,^x: 



OOVKUNUKS UK IOWA. 



11.' 




-v-:>->^V^^^^>^^V^^^^ 




TEPHEN HEJIPSTEAD, sec 

oiul Govcnior nf lowii, is a 
native of Coiiiiocticiit, where, 
at New London, lie w:is born 
Oct. 1, 1S12. lie resided in 
that Stale "itli iiis ])arents 
until 1>Sl'.s, when tiie family 
came West, lucatinji' upon a farm 
near .Saint Louis. 'I'iiis was tiie 
home of younu; Stcpiicu until IcS.'lO, 
wlicn he went to (Jaiena, III., where 
he served in the capaeity of a clerk 
in a eoniniission house for a time. 
lie was there during' the exciting 
period of the I'.lack Hawk troubles, 
and was an ollieer in ;in artillery 
euni|)any which had been oryanizecl for the proti'c- 
tion of (lalena. After the defeat i>( Black Hawk 
and tile consequent termination of Indian trouliles, 
he entered the Illinois Collcne at .Jacksonville, 
where he remained for about two j'cars. On ae- 
coui.' of dillicnlties which he got into al)OUt 
seet"riani.:in and aliulitionisni. he left the college 
and ref.nied to Missouri. He shortly afterward 
entered the ollice of Chaiies S. Hempstead, a prom- 
inent lawyer of (iaiena, and began the stuily of tlie 
prufcssiuu in which he afterward became quite pro- 



ficient. In 18.30 he was admitted to practice in all 
the courts of the Territ<jry of Wisconsin, which at 
the time embraced the Ten-itory of Iowa, and the 
.Siinie year located at Dul)n(iue, lieing the lirst l.iw- 
yer who began the practice vf his profession at that 
place. 

As might be expected in a territory but tliinlj- 
[lopulated, but one which was rapidly settling u[>, 
the services of an able attorney would be in de- 
mand in order to draft the laws. I'pon the organ- 
ization of the Territorial Government of Iowa in 
1838, he was, with Oen. Warner Lewis, elected to 
represent the northern |>ortion of the Territory in 
the Legislative Council, which assend)led in Bur- 
lington that year. lie was Chairman of the Com- 
mittee .ludiciary, and at the second session of that 
body w.as elected its I'resident. He waii again 
elected a memlier of the ( ouneil. in 1845, over 
which he also presided. In I si 1 1 he was elected 
one of the delegates of Dubmiue County, for the 
first convention to fnime a constitution for the 
State. In lsi|H, in company with .Judge Cnarles 
Mason and W. (J. Woodward, he wa.s ap|><iintei| 
by the Legislature Commissioner to revise the laws 
of the State, which revision, with a few amend- 
ments, was adopted as the lode of Iowa in 18.J1. 

hi 1850 Mr. Hempstead was elected Coveruor of 



J 16 



STKPHKN HEMPSTEAD. 



the State, and servorl -n-it!! ability for four j'ears, 
that being tlii' lull ti riii mulcr the Constitution at 
the time. He received 1;3,4.S0 votes against 11,- 
■103 east for liis o])p()nent, James L. Thompson. 
After the \(ile had lieen canvassed a committee 
was aijpoinled to inform the Governor-elect that 
tlie two ll<iuses of the Legislature were ready to re- 
ceive him ill ji>iiil convention, in order that he 
might receive the oath prescribed by the Constitu- 
tion. Gov. Hempstead, accom])anied by the retir- 
ing Executive, Gov. Briggs, the Judges of the Su- 
}^reme Court and the oflicers of State, entered the 
hall of the House where the Governor-elect deliv- 
ered his inaugural message, after which tlie oath 
was administered by the Chief Justice of the .Su- 
preme Court. This was an important iieriod in the 
history of the State, being at a time wiieii the jiul)- 
lic affairs were nssumiiig delinite shape, and indeed 
it was what might be termed the formative period. 
The session of the Legishiture passed many import- 
ant acts which were ajjjiroved by the Governor, and 
during his term there were fifty-two new counties 
formed. Gov. Ileiiipstead in his message to the 
Fourth General Assembly in Dcceml)er, 1852, 
stated that among other tilings, the population of 
the State according to the Federal census was 1!)2,- 
214, and that the State census showed an increasi! 
for one year of 37,780. He also stated that the re- 
sources of the State for tlie coming two years 
"Would l)e sufficient to cancel all that part of funded 
debt which was payalilc at its option. 

Among the uuiiuidiis ((nintics organized was one 
lamed Buncombe, whii-h received its name in the 
following way: The Legislature was composed of a 
iirge majority favoring stringent corporation laws 
and the liability of individual stockholders for cor- 
jiaraia debts. This sentiment, on account of the 
3gitiition cf railroad enterprises then being inaugu- 
rated, brought a large number of prominent men 
•.■o the Ciipital. To have an effect upon the Legis- 
^ture, they organized a "lobby Legislature" and 
;lccte:l as Governor, Verplank Van Antwerj). who i 
Jeliversd to the self-constituted bodv a lenethy I 
message in wliicli he sharplj' criticized the regular 
General yissembly. Some of the menibt rs of ti;c 
latter were in the habit of making long and useful 
speeches much to the liiudiaiice of business. To 



these he especially referred, charging them witli 
speaking for ■•Bnncombi'," and recommended that 
as a lasting memorial a county should lie called bj' 
that name. This suggestion was readily seized on 
liy the Legislature, and the county of Buncombe 
was created witli few dissenting vtjices. However, 
the General Assembly, in 1802, changed the name 
to Lyon, in honor of Gen. Nathaniel L3'0n who was 
killed in the earl^- part of the Civil War. 

The season of 1851 was one of great disai)|)oiiit- 
nient to the pioneers of Iowa, and much suffering 
was the result of the bad season of that year. By 
the year 1854, the State had fully recovered from 
the depression thus produced, and tliat^year as well 
as the following, the emigration from the East was 
unprecedented. The prairies of Illinois were lined 
day after day with a continuous caravan of emi- 
grants pushing on toward Iowa. During a single 
month 1743 wagons bound for Iowa passed through 
Peoria. So remarkable had been the influx of peo- 
ple into the State, that in an issue of the Burling- 
ton TelMjraph appeared the following statement: 
" Twenty thousand emigrants have passed through 
the city within the last thirty days, and they are 
still crossing the Mississipiii at the rate of 000 a day." 

At the expiration of his term of service, which 
occurred in the latter part of the year 1854, Gov. 
Hempstead returned to his old home at Dulni(]ue. 
In 1855 he was elected County Judge of Dulnupie 
County, and so acceptably did he serve the people 
that for twelve j'ears he was chosen to fill that posi- 
tion. Under his administration the principal 
county })uilding, including the jail, poorhouse, as 
well as some valuable bridges, were erected. 
Owing to ill-health he was compelled to retire from 
[tiiblic life, [lassing the remainder of his days in 
(piietude and rcjjose at Duliuque. There he lived 
until Feb. 10, l,ss3. when, at his home, tli? light of 
hishmgand eventful life went out. The record 
he lias made, which was an honorable and distin- 
guished one. Has closed, and Iowa was called u; on 
to mourn the loss of one of her most distinguis..ed 
pioneer citizens. He had been an unusuallj' useful 
man of the State and his services, which were able 
and wise, were renderef] in that unselfish spirit 
which distinguished so many of the early residents 
of this now prosperous State. 




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c<;f-> p 



GOVERNORS OF IOWA. 



119 







i^-Msa^^'l 














AMES W. GRIMES, the 

third gentleman to fill the 
Executive Chair of the State 
of Iowa, was born in the 
town of Decring, Hillsbor- 
ough Co., N. H., Oct. 20, 
ISIG. His parents, John and 
p]lizabeth (Wilson) Grimes, were 
also natives of the same toT\ii. 
' The former was born on the 1 1 th 
of August, 1772, and the mother 
March 19, 1773. They became the 
parents of eight children, of whom 
James was the youngest and be- 
came one of the most distinguished 
citizens of Iowa. He attended the 
district schools, and in earlj"- childhood evinced an 
unusual taste for learning. Besides attending the 
district schools, the village pastor instructed liim 
in Greek and Latin. After completing his prepar- 
ations for college, which he did at Hampton Acad- 
emy, he entered Dartmouth College, in August, 
1832. wliicli was in the sixteenth year of his age. 
He was a hard student, advanced rapidly, and in 
February, 183.5, bid adieu to the college halls, and 
with James Walker, of Peterborough, N. IL, he be- 
gan th'». study of his chosen profession. 



Feeling that his native State afforded too hmited 
advantages, and, in fact, being of a rather advent- 
urous disposition, as well as ainiiitious, he ciesu'cd 
broader fields in which to carve for himself a lort- 
une. He accordinglj^ left the home tiiat had 
sheltered him during his boj'hood daj's, and turn- 
ing his face Westward proceeded until he had 
crossed the great Father of Waters. It was m 
1836, and young Grimes was indeed young to tbus 
take upon himself such responsibilities; but pos- 
sessing business tact, determination and tenacity, 
as well as an excellent professional training, he de- 
termined to open an office in tlie then new town of 
Burlington, Iowa. Here he hung out his shingle, 
and ere long had establishetPa reputation which 
extended far beyond the confines of the little city. 

In April. 1837, he was appointed City Solicitor, 
and entering upon the duties of that office he 
assisted in drawing up the first police laws of that 
town. In 1838 he was apjjointed Justice of tlie 
Peace, and became a law partner of William 'W. 
Chapman, United States District Attorney for 
AVisconsin Ten'itory. In the early part of tlie year 
1841 he formed a partnership with Henry AV. Starr, 
Esq., which continued twelve years. This firm 
stood at the head of the legal profession in Iowa. 
3Ir. Grimes was widely known as a counselor with 



)-20 



JAMES \V. a RIMES. 



superior knowledge of the law, and with a clear 
sense of truth and justice. He was chosen one of 
the Representatives of Des Moines Count_y in the 
first Legislative Assembly of the Territory of Iowa, 
^vhich convened at Burlington, Nov. 12, 18.58; in 
Uie sixth, at Iowa City, Dec. 4, 1843; and in the 
f(,;;rth General Assembly of the State, at I(jwa City, 
Dec. 0, 18,V2. lie early took front rank among the 
pulilic men of Iowa, lie was Chainnan of the 
Judiciary Committee in the House of Representa- 
tives of the first Legislative Assembl}- of the Ter- 
ritory, and all laws for the new Territorj^ passed 
through his hands. 

Mr. Grimes had become promineutlj- identified 
with the AVhig part}', and being distinguished as an 
able lawyer, as well as a fair-minded, conscientious 
man, he was a prominent candidate for Governor 
before the convention which met in Februarj^ 1854. 
It was the largest convention of that party ever 
held in Iowa and the last. He was chosen as a nom- 
inee for Governor, was duly elected, and in Decem- 
ber, 1854, assumed the duties of the office. Shortly 
after his election it was proposed that he should go 
to the United States Senate, but he gave his ad- 
mirers to understand that lie was determined to fill 
The term of office for which he had been chosen. 
'I'his he did, serving the full term to the entire sat- 
isfaction of all parties. He was a faithful iiarty 
leader, and so able were his services that, while at 
the time of his election as Governor Democracy 
reigned supreme in the State and its representatives 
in Congress were allied to the slave i)ower, he 
turned the State over to the Republican party. 

His term of office expired Jan. 14, 1858, when 
he retired from th? Executive Chair, onlj-, how- 
ever, to assume the responsibilities of a United 
States Senator. Upon the 4th of JIarch of the fol- 
lowing year he took his seat in tiie Senate and was 
placed upon the Committee on Naval Affaiis. upon 
which he remained duiing his Senatorial career, 
serving as Chairman of that important committee 
from December, 18(54. Jan. Hi, 1804, Mr. Grimes 
was again chosen to represent Iowa in the Senate 
of the United States, receiving all but six of the 
votes of the General Assemlilv in joint convention. 

His counsel was often sought in matters of great 
moment, and iu cases of peculiar difficulty. Al- 



waj's ready^ to promote the welfare of the State, he 
gave, unsolicited, land worth ^6,000 to the Congre- 
gaticmal College, at Grinncll. It constitutes the 
" Grimes foundation," and "is to be applied to the 
establishment and maintenance in Iowa College, 
forever, of four scholarships, to be awardecl l)y tiie 
Trustees, on-the recommendation of the faculty, to 
the best scholars, and the most promising, in any 
department, who may need and seek sucli aid, and 
without any regard to tlie religious tenets or opin- 
ions entertained by any person seeking either of 
said scholarships." These terms were imposed by 
Mv. Grimes, and assumed Julj- 20, 18G5, by the 
Trustees. He received the honorary degree of 
LL.D. in 1865 from Dartmouth College, and also 
from Iowa College. He also aided in founding a 
public library in Burlington, donating ¥5,000, which 
was expended in the purchase of costly books, and 
subsequently sent from Europe 256 volumes in the 
German language, and also contributed 600 vol- 
umes of public documents. 

In .Januar}-, 1869, he made a donation of ^5,000 
to Dartmouth College, .and 11,000 to the " So Ad 
Friend," a literary society of which he was a mem- 
ber when in college. 

His health failing, Mr. Grimes sailed for Europe, 
April 14, 1869, remaining abrotd two years, 
reaching home Sept. 22, 1871, apparently in im- 
proved health and spirits. In November he cele- 
br.ated his silver wedding, and spent tlie closing 
months of his life Avith his famil3^ He voted at 
the city election, Feb. 5, 1872, and was suddenly 
attacked with severe pains in the region of the 
heart, and died after a few short hours of intense 
suffering. 

Senator Grimes was united in marriage at Bur- 
lington, la., Nov. 9, 1846, with Miss S.arah Elizabeth 
Neallj'. Jlr. Grimes stood in the foremost ranks 
among the men of his time, not only in the .State 
but of the nation. The young attorney who left 
the granite hills of New Hampshire for the fertile 
prairies of the West, distinguished himself both as 
an attorney and a statesman. His personal history 
is so inseparably interwoven in that of the history 
of the State tlmt a sketch of his life is indeed but a 
record of the history of his adopted State during 
the years of his manhood and vigor. 



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GOVERNORS OF IOWA. 



123 













••o*o.@v><^-o*o.. 




^»1^" .. ^.^ALPII r. LOWl-;. the fourth 
(iovi'i'iuir of t-lu' Sl;it*' uf 
I(pw:i. vns btini in Ohio in 
thf year 1S08, and like innny 
otluT.s of the (li;<tingui!<he(l 
men of lown, came within her 
borders in early pioneer 
times. He was a young man 
but a little over thirty years 
of age when he crossed the great 
Father of AVaters, settling upon its 
western bank at the then small vill- 
age of Muscatine. He at once 
identified himself with the interests 
of the growing city, and ere long 
became quite [iromiuent in local 
affairs ;ind of recogni/.ed ability in 
questions of public policy. He was shortly after- 
war<l chosen as a rei)reseiita1ive from Muscatine 
County to the Constitutional Convention of is 14, 
which frame(l the Constitution which was rejected 
by the ix'ople. 

After this constitutional convention, Mr. Lowe 
took no further part in public matters for a luim- 
ber of years. He removed to F-ee County about 
ls4'.i or '.'jO, where he became District Judge as .n, 
successor to George H. Williams, who was after- 
ward famous as President Grant's Attorney (ien- 
er.-d. He was District Judge Ave j'ears, from ls.';2 
to l!^;")?, being succeeded by Judge Claggett. In 
the summer of l.s.")7 he was nominateil by the Re- 
publicans for Governor of Iowa, with ( )r.in Faville 
for Lieutenaut-Goveruor. The Democracy put in 



the lield Benjamin M. Sanuiels for Governor and 
George (iilLasp^' for Lieutenant-(iovenior. There 
wa,s a third ticket in the field, supporteil ])y the 
American or "'Know-Nothing" part}', and Itearing 
the names of T. V. Ileni'V and P^aston Morris. 
The election was held in October, 18.57, and gave 
Mr. Lowe 38,-l'J8 votes, against 30,088 for Mr 
Samuels, and 1,006 for Mr. Henry. 

Hitherto the term of office had been four years 
Init Ijy an amendment to the Constituti<.)n this was 
now reiluced to two. (iov. Lowe was inaug- 
urated Jan. 1-1, 18iJ8, and at once sent his first 
message to the Legislature. Among the measures 
passed by this Legislature were 1)ills to incorporate 
the .State Bank of Iowa; to provide for an agricult- 
ural college; to authorize the Iiusiness of banking; 
disposing of the land grant made by Congress to 
the Des Moines Vallc}' Railroad; to provide for 
the erection of an institution for the education of 
the lilind, aiul to provide for taking a State census. 

No events of importance occurred during the 
administration of (iov. Lowe, but it was not a 
period of uninterrupted prosperity. The Governor 
said in his +iiennial message of Jan. 10, 18G0, 
reviewing the precccdiug two years: ''The jperiod 
that has clajjsed since the last biennial session has 
been one of great disturbing causes, an<l of anxious 
solicitude to all classes of our fellow-citizens. The 
first yiar of tlii> period was visited with lieavj- and 
continuous rains, which reduced the nieasm-e of 
our fieM crops below one-half of the usual product. 
whilst the lin.mcial revulsion which commenced 
upon the Atlantic coast in the autumn of 1857, did 



]2 



HALPII P. J.OWI:. 



not reach its climax fur evil in our borders until 
the yaw just past." 

lie referred at length to the claim of the .State 
■igainst the Federal Government, and said that lie 
imd appealed in vain to the Secretary of the Inte- 
rior for the paj-ment of the '1 per cent njjon the 
military I.ukI wanauts that the State is justly en- 
titled to, whicli tlien approximated to a million of 
dollars. The paj-ment ot this fund, he said, "is 
not a mere favor which is asked of the General 
(iovernment, but a sul)sisting right which could be 
enforced in a court of justice, were there a tribunal 
of this kind clothed with the requisite jurisdiction." 

T\w subject of the Des Aloines River grant re- 
ceived fiom the Governor special attention, and he 
gave a history of the operations of the State author- 
ities in reference to obtaining the residue of the 
lands to which the State was entitled, and other in- 
formation as to the progress of the work. He also 
^■cmarked "that under the act authorizing the Gov- 
ernor to raise a comi)any of mounted men f<jr de- 
fense and protection of our frontier, apjjroved 
Feb. 9, 1858, a company of thirty such men, known 
as the Frontier Guards, armed and equipjied as re- 
quired, were organized and mustered into service 
under the command of Capt. Henry B. IMartin, of 
A\ ebster Citj', about the 1st of March then follow- 
ing, and were divided into two companies, one 
.stationed on the Little Sioux River, the other at 
Spirit Lake. Their presence afforded security and 
gave quiet to the settlements in that region, and 
after a service of four months they were disbanded. 

-• Late iu the full of the year, however, great 



alarm and consternation was again felt in the 
region of Spirit Lake and Sioux River settlements, 
produced 1>3' the appearance of large numbers of 
Indians on the border, wlujse bearing was insolent 
and menacing, and who were charged with clan- 
destinely running off the stock of the settlers. 
The most urgent appeals came from these settlers, 
invoking again the i)rotection of the State. From 
representations made of the imminence of their 
danger and the losses already sustained, the Gov- 
ernor summoned into the field once more the 
frontier guards. After a service of four or five 
months they were again discharged, and paid intlie 
manner prescribed in the act under which they were 
called out." 

Gov. Lowe was beaten for the renomination 
by Hon. S. J. Kirkwood, who was considei-ed 
much the stronger man. To compensate him for 
his defeat for the second term. Gov. Lowe 
was appointed one of the three Judges under the 
new Constitution. He drew the short term, which 
expired in 1. SGI, Tint was returned and served, all 
told, eight jears. lie then retvmiod to the prac- 
tice of law, gradually working into a claim busi- 
ness at AVashington, to which city he removed 
about 1874. In that city he died, on Saturday, 
Dec. 22, 1883. He had a large family. Carleton, 
one of his sons, was an officer in the Third Iowa 
Cavalry during the war. 

Gov. Lowe was a man of detail, accurate and 
industrious. In private and public life he was 
]iure. upright and honest. In religious faith he 
was inclined to be a Spiritualist. 





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GOVKUNOUS OK WW'A. 



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HE fifth Governor of Iowa 
was Samuel .1. Kirkwood. 
He was born in Hartford 
County, Md., on his father's 
farm. Dec. 20, 1,S1;3. His 
father was twice married, 
- 'J/ first to a lady named Coulson, 
who became the motiier of two 
sons. After the deatli of this 
companion, the elder Kirkwood 
was united in marri.age with 
Mary Alexander, who bore him 
three '•hildrcn, all of whom were 
sons. Of this little family Samuel 
was the j'omigest, and when ten 
years of age was sent to Washington City to at- 
tend a school taught by John^McLeod, a relative of 
the family. Here he remained for four years, giv- 
ing diligent attention to his studies, at the close of 
whicii time he entered a drug store at AYashington 
as clerk. In this capacity he contiiuied with the? 
exception of eighteen months, until he reached his 
majority. During the interval referred to, young 
Kirkwood was living the life of a ped:igogue in 
York County, Pa. 

In the year 1835, Samuel quit AYashington and 
came westward to Richland County, Ohio. His 
father an<l brother had preceded him from Jlary- 
land. locating upon a timbered farm in the Buckeye 
State. Here .Samuel lent them valuable assistance 
in clearing the farm. He was ambitious to enter 
the legal profession, and in the year 1811, an oppor- 



tunity -was afforded him to enter the office o/ 
Thomas W. Bartley, afterward fiovernor of Oiiio. 
The following two years he gave diligent applica- 
tion to his books, and in 1843, was admitted to 
practice by the Supreme Court of Ohio. He was 
then fortunate enough to form an association in 
the practice of his profession with his former pre- 
ceptor, which relations continued for eight j-ears. 

From 1845 to 1849 he served as Prosecuting 
Attorney of his county. In 1849 he was elected 
as a Democrat to represent his county and district 
in the Constitutional Convention. In 1851 Mr. 
Bartley, his partner, having been elected to the 
Supreme .Tudiciai-y of the State, Kirkwood formed 
a partnership with Barnabas Barns, with whom he 
continued to pr.ictice until tiie spring of 1855, 
when he removed to the West. 

Up to 1854 Mr. Kirkwood had acted with the 
Democratic party. But the measures proposed and 
sustained that year by the Democracy in Congress, 
concentrated in what was known as the Kansiis- 
Nebraska Act, drove him with hosts of anti-slavery 
Democrats out of the party. He was besought by 
the opposition in the ■• Hichlan<l District" to be- 
come their candidate for Congress, but declined 
In 1855 he came to Iowa and settled two miles 
northwest of Iowa City, entering into a partnershii) 
with his brother-in-law, Ezekiel Clark, in the mill- 
ing business, and kept aloof from public affairs. 
He could not long conceal his rect)r(l and al)ilities 
from his neighbors, however, and in 185(! he was 
elected to the State ycnatc from the district com- 



128 



SAMLKL J. KIRKWOOn. 



posed of the counties of Iowa and Johnson, and 
served in the last session of tlie Legislature helil at 
Iowa City and the first one held at Des Moines. 

In 18;5!) Mr. Kirkwood was made the standard- 
l)earer of the Hepidilieans of Iowa, and thongh he 
had as able and i)oi)nlar a eoinpetitor as (len. A. 
('. J )(>dgCv he was elected Governor of Iowa by a 
majority of over 3,000. He was inangnrated Jan. 
11, 181)0. Hefore the expiration of his first term 
eanie the great Civil AVar. As Governor, during 
the darkest days of the Rebellion, he performed an 
exceedingly important duty. He secured a prompt 
response by volunteers to all requisitions by the 
Federal Go^'ernmcnt on the State for troops, so 
that during his Governorship no ''draft" took 
place in Iowa, and no regiment, except the first, 
enlisted for less than three years. At the same 
time he maintained the State's financial credit. 
The Legislature, at its extra session in 1801, 
authorized the sale of $800,000 in bonds, to assist 
in arming and equipping troops. So frugally was 
this work done, that Imt §oO(),000 of the bonds 
were sold, and the remaining -^500,000 not having 
been required, the bon(U representing this amount 
,vere destroyed by order of the succeeding Legis- 
lature. 

In October, 1801, Gov. Kirkwood was, with com- 
p.-irativel'- little op[>ositiou, re-elected — an honor 
{lecorded for the lirst time in the history' of the 
State. His m.'ijority w.as about 18,000. During 
his second term he was appointed l)y President 
Lincoln to be Minister to Denmark, but he declined 
to enter upon his diplomatic duties until the exi)ir- 
ation of his term .as (iovei-nor. The position was 
kei)t open for him mitil that time, but, when it 
came, pressing private business compelled a declin- 
■itiou of tlic ollice altogether. 

In Jann.iry, ISfiO, he was a i)rominent candid.ate 
before the Legislature for United States Senator. 
Senator Harlan had resigned the Senatorship upon 



his ap]ioiutinent to the office of Secretarj' of the 
Interior by President Lincoln, just before hi^' 
death, but had withdrawn from the cabinet soon 
after the accession of Mr. Johnson to the Presi- 
dency. In this way it haiipened tl'.at the Legisla- 
ture had two terms of United States Senator to fill, 
a short term of two years, to fill Harlan's unexpired 
term, and a long term of six years to immediately 
succeed this; and Harlan had now bectime a candi- 
date for his owni successorship, to which Kirkw<jod 
also aspired. Ultimatelv, Kirkwood was elected 
for the first and Harlan for the second term. Dur- 
ing his brief Senatorial service, Kirkwood did not 
hesitate to measure swfirds with Senator Sumner, 
who.se natural egotism had begotten in him an ar- 
rogant and dict,atorial manner, borne with luunlily 
until then bj' his colleagues, in deference to his 
long experience .and eminent ability, but un|)alata- 
ble to an indepeudeut "Western Senator like Kirk- 
wood. 

At the close of his Senatorial tenn, March 4, 
1807, he resumed the practice of law. which a few 
years later he relinquished to acceiit the I'residi'ucy 
of the Iowa City Savings Bank. In 1875 he was 
.again elected Govi'rnor. and was inaugurated Jan. 
13, 1876. He served liut little over a year, as 
early in 1877 he was chosen United States Senator. 
He filled this position four years, resigning to be- 
come Secretary of the Interior in President (iar- 
field's Cabinet. In this otlice he was succeeded, 
April 17, 1.S.S2, by Henry M. Teller, of Colorado. 

Gov. Kirkwood returned to Iowa C'ity, his home, 
where he still resides, being now advanced in years. 
He was married in 18-13, to Miss Jane Clark, a na- 
tive of Ohio. 

In KS80 Mr. Kirkwood was nommatcd for Ctm- 
gress by the Republicftns of his district. Consider- 
able interest was manifested in the contest, as l)oth 
the Labor and Democratic parties had popular can- 
didates in the field. 





J^. 9z,. c/fp^jt>^ 



GOVERNORS OF TOWA. 



131 




..o*o.(§^X^..o*o~ 




ILLIAM M. STONE, the 
ixth Governor of Iowa, was 
orn Oct. II. 1.S27. His 
[iiiri'iits, 'rrmiinn imd La- 
vina (North) Stone. \v!io 
were of Kiiii'lisli ancestry, 
inovcil to Lewis County, N. 
Y.. wlien AVilliani was liut a 
year old. William's grandfather. Aaron 
Stone, was in the second war with Kn- 
giand. When onr suliject was six ^-ears 
of age his parents moved into Ohio, lo- 
cating in Coshocton County. Lil^e man}- 
other .self-made men. William M. iiad few- 
advantages. He never attended a soIkkiI 
of any kind more than twelve monllis. 
In br>yiiood he was for two seasons a team-driver 
on the Ohio Canal. At seventeen he was apijren- 
ticed to the chairmaker's trade, and he followed 
that business until he was twenty-three years of 
age, reading law meantime during his spare hours, 
wherever he happened to be. He commenced at 
('ushoet(m, with .James Mathews, who afterward 
liecame his father-in-law; continued his reading 
with (ien. Lucius V. Pierce, of Akion, and finished 
with Ezra B. Taylor, of Ravenna. He was admitted 
to the bar in August, 18;jl, by Peter Hitchcock 
and Rufus P. Raiiney, Supreme Judges, holding a 
term of comt at liaveaua. 




After practicing three years at Coshocton with 
his old preceptor. .lames Mathews, he. in November, 
1S.')4, settled in Knoxville. wiiicli has remained his 
iiome since. The year after locating here Mr. 
Stone purcli.iscd the Knoxville Jnin-iial, and wa.= 
one of the jirime movers in forming the Republican 
party in Iowa, lieing tlie fust editor to suggest a 
State Convention, wliich met Feb. 22, 1856. and 
completed tlie organization. In the autumn of the 
>:niir year he was a Presidential elector on the Re- 
pul)lican ticket. 

In April. 18.')7, ^Ir. Stone was chosen .Judge of 
the Hli'vcnth .ludicial District. He was elected 
.Judge of tlie .Sixtli .Judicial District when the new 
Constitution went into operation in 18,j8, and was 
serving on the liencli when the American flag was 
stricken down at Fort Sumter. At that time, 
April, 18(;i, he w.-vs holding court in Fairfield, 
Jefferson ('dunly. and when the news came of the 
insult to the old (lag he immcdiatel}- adjourned 
court and i)repared for what he believed to bo more 
im[)ortant duties — duties to his country. 

In May he enlisted as a i)rivate; was made Can 
tain of Co. B, Third Iowa Inf., and was subsc 
quently promoted to Major. With that regiment 
he was at the battle of Blue ^Mill. Mo., in Septem- 
ber, 18G1, where he was wounded. At Shiloh, the 
following spring, he commanded the regiment and 
waa token prisoner, By order of Jeffcrsou Davia 



132 



WILLIAM M. STONE. 



he was paroled for the time of forty days, with 
orders to repair to AVasliington, and if possible 
secure an agreement for a cartel f(jr !i general ex- 
change of jjrlsoners, and to return as a prisoner if 
he did not succeed. Failing to secure that result 
within the period specified, he returned to Rich- 
ninnd and had liis parole extended lifteen days; re- 
l)airing again to Washington, he effected his pur- 
pose and was exchanged. 

In August, 1802. he was appointed bj' Gov. 
Kirkwood Colonel of tiie Twenty-second lov.'a 
Infantry, which rendezvoused and organized at 
Camp Pope, Iowa City, the same month. The 
regiment was occupied for several months in guard- 
ing su|)i)ly stores and the railroad, and escorting 
supply trains to the Armj' of the Southeast Mis- 
souri until Jan. 27, 1-863, when it received orders 
to join the army under Gen. Davidson, at West 
Plains, Mo. After a march of five days it reached 
its destination, and was brigaded with the Twenty- 
first and Twenty-third Iowa regiments, Col. Stone 
commanding, and was designated the First Brigade, 
First Division. Army of Southeast Missouri. April 
I found Col. Stone at Milliken's Bend, La., to assist 
Grant in the capture of "\'iclvs))urg. He was n(jw 
in immediate command of his regiment, which 
formed a part of a brigade under Col. C. L. Harris, 
of the Eleventh Wisconsin. In the advance upon 
I'ort Gibson Col. Harris was taken sick, and Col. 
Stone was again in chai-ge of a brigade. In the 
battle of Port Gibson the Colonel and his com- 
mand distinguished thpiiaselvcs, and were successful. 



The lirigade was in the i-eservc at Champion Hills, 
and in active skirmish at Black River. 

On the evening of May 21 Col. Stone received 
Gen. (irant's order for a general assault nn tlie 
enemy's lines at 10 A. M. on the 22d. In this 
charge, which was unsuccessful. Col. Stone wa.s 
again wounded, receiving a gunshot in the left 
forearm. Col. Stone commanded a brigade until 
the last of August, when, being ordered to the Gulf 
Department, he resigned. He had become very 
pojjular with the people of Iowa. 

He was nominated in a Republican convention, 
held at Des Jloines in June, 18t)3, and was elected 
l)y a very large majority. He was breveted Brig- 
adier-General in 18G4, during his first year as Gov- 
ernor. He was inaugurated .Jan. 14, 1804, and was 
re-elected in 1865, his four years in office closing 
Jan. 16, 1868. His majority in 1863 was nearly 
30,000, and in 1865 about 16,500. His diminished 
vote in 1865 was due to the fact tiiat he was very 
strongly committed in favor of negro suffrage. 

Gov. Stone made a very energetic and efficient 
Executive. Since the expiration of his gubernatorial 
term he has sought to escape the public notice, and 
has given his time to his private business interests. 
He is in partnership with Hon. O. B. Ayres, of 
Knoxville, in legal practice. 

He was elected to the General Assembly in 1 877. 
and served one term. 

In M.ay, 1857, he married Miss Carloaet Mathews, 
a native of Ohio, then residing in Knoxville. They 
have one son — AViUiam A, 




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GOVERNORS OF IOWA. 



135 








4" ?;!S'i^;',5-#SiS«i"'S!S^5~,'S"^,':;f ■^;; ! 



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AMUEL MERRILL. Governor 
from ISils to liS72, was horn 
in Oxford County, ]Maino, 
Aug. 7, 1S22. He is :i di'- 
> seondant <in his mother's side 
of Peter Hill, who came from 
I'.ngland and settled in Maine 
Gi)o. From this ancestry have 
ung most of the Hills in Ameri- 
ca. On his father's side he is a de- 
ccndant of Nathaniel Merrill, who 
came from England in l()3(),and lo- 
cated in Massachusetts. Nathaniel 
had a son, Danii'l, who in turn had 
a son named John, and he in turn 
begat a son called Thomas. The 
latter was born Dec. 1 H, 1 708. On the 4th of Aug- 
ust, 172.S. was born to liim a son, Samuel, who was 
married and had a family of twelve children, one of 
wiioni, Abel, was taken by his father to Boston in 
1 7."iO. Abel was married to Elizabeth Page, who 
had live children, one of whom. Abi'l. .Jr., was the 
father of our sul)ject. He niarrie<l Abigail Hill 
.bine 'i'), 1800, and to them were born eight chil- 
ibiii, Samuel being the j-oungest but one. At the 
age of sixteen Samuel moved with his parents to 
liu.xton, JLaine, the native place of his mother, 
where his time was emploj'ed in turns in teaching 
and attending .school tnitil he attained his majority. 
Having determined to make teaching a profession, 
and feeling tiiat the .South offered lietter o])portu- 
nities. l.c immediately .set out for that section. lie 



remained, however, but a short time, .as he says "he 
was liorn too far North." Suspicion having been 
raised as to his abolition principles and finding the 
element n(jt altogether congenial, he .soon .ab.andoned 
the sunny South and went to the old Granite Stjite, 
where the next several years were sjient in farming. 
In 1847 he moved to Tamworth, N. IL, where lie 
engaged in the mercantile business in company witli 
a brother, in which he was quite successful. N<jt 
being satisfied with the limited resources of North- 
ern New England he determined to try his good 
fortune on the broad prairies of the fertile AVest. 

It was in the year 18i5G that Mr. Merrill turne(! 
his face toward the setting sun, finding a desirable 
location near McGregor, Iowa, where he established 
a branch house of the old firm. The poi)ulation in- 
creased, as aLso did their tr.ade, .and their house be- 
came one of the most extensive wholesale establish- 
ments on the Upper Mississippi. During all these 
ye.ars of business Mr. ^lerrill took an active part in 
politics. In 18.54 he was chosen on the abolition 
ticket to the Legislature of New Hampshire. The 
following year he was .again returned to the Legis- 
lature, and doubtless had he remained in that .State 
would have risen still higher. In coming to Iowa 
his experience and al>ilit_v were demanded bj' his 
neigiibors, and he w.as here called into puljlic serv- 
ice. He w.is sent to the Legislature, and tiH)Ugh 
asscnililcd with the. most distinguished men of his 
time, took a leading part in the imi)ortant services 
demanded of tliat body. The Legislature was con- 
vcnid ill ;ui extr.a session of 18G1, to provide for 



130 



SAMUKL MKUKILL. 



llio exigencies of tlie Rebellion, ami in it> ilcliber 
ations ^Ir. Merrill took an active i)art. 

In tiie suninuT nf IsOi, i\Ir. Merrill waseoniniis- 
sioni'il C'<ili>nel of the 2Ist Iowa Infantry, and ini- 
nuMJiately went ti> the front. At the time Marnia- 
(Inkc was menacing the I'nion forces in .Missonri. 
wliirli rallcii for [irdinpt ai-tiiin (in the part iif the I 
I'niiin (Jenerals, ("ol. iMorrill was placed in com- i 
niand. witii detachments of the "ilst Iowa and Ollth [ 
Illinois, a [jortion of the .'id Iowa Cavalry and two 
pieces of artillery, with orders to make a forced 
march to Sjjriniiiield, he being at the time eighty 
miles distant. On the morning of .hni. II. 18G3, 
he came acnjss a body of Confederates who were 
advancing in heavy force. Immediate preparations 
for liattle were made by Col. Merrill, and after brisk- 
ly liring for an honr, the enemy fell back. Merrill 
then nn)vcd in the direction of Hartville. whei'e he 
fonnd the enemy in force nnder Marmadnke, being 
abont eight thousand strong, while Merrill had bnt 
one-tenth of that nunilier. A hot strnggle ensned 
in wiii<-h the Twonty-Iirst distingnished itself. The 
Confederate loss was several olhcers and three hun- 
dred men killed and wounded, while the L'iiion loss 
was bnt sc\en killed and sixt\"-fi)ur wounded. The 
'ollowing winter the regiment performed active 
service, taking jiart in the cam])aign of Vicksburg. 
It fought under McClei'iiaud at Port tiibson, and 
whiii' making the famous charge vi Black River 
Iliidge, Col. ^Merrill was severely wounded through 
the ln|i. lie was laid up from the 1 7tli of May to 
.lannary, when he again joined his regiment in 
Texas, and in June, l.sd-I, (jn account of sufferina' 
fioui his wound, resigned and returned to Mc- 
(ircgoi'. In l<S(i7 Mr. Merrill was chosen Gov- 
ernor of the State, being elected upon the Repub- 
lican ti<ket. He served with such satisfaction, that 
in l.sd'.i he was rc-nominated aud accordingly 
elected. 

Cnder the administration of Gov. Merrill, 
the movement for the erection of the new [State 
House was inaugurated. The Thirteenth General 
Asseml)ly pro\idcil for the building at a cost of 
$1,500,000, aud made an appro|iriation with which 
to begin the work of -sl.-,ii,i)()ii. With this sum the 
work was begun, aud Nov. 2.'i, IsTl. the corner 
stone was hud in tlie presence of citizens from all 



parts of the State. On this occasion the Governor 
delivered the address. It w.as an historical view of 
the incidents culminating in the labors of the day 
It was re])lete with historical facts, showed jiatienl 
research, was logical and argvnnentative, andat times 
elo(pient with the fire and genius of American pa- 
triotism. It is a [laper worthy of the occasion, 
and does justice to the head and heart that lon- 
ceived it. 

During the gubernatorial career of Gov. Mer- 
rill, extending through two terms, from Janu- 
ary, 18()S. to January, l»12, he was actively en- 
gaged in the discharge of his official duties, and 
probably no incinnbent of that otlice ever devoted 
himself nnjre earnestly to the public good, stand- 
ing bj^ the side of Gov. Faircliild, of Wisconsin. 
The two were instrumental in iilacing the slack- 
water navigation between the Mississipjii and the 
L.akes in the way of ultimate and certain success. 
The Governor treated this subject to great length 
and with marked ability in his message to the Thir- 
teenth Ciencral Asseml)ly, and so earnest was he in 
behalf of this improvciueut, that he again discussed 
it in his message to the Fourteenth General Asscni- 
bl\'. In the instigation of the work the (Jovernoi-s 
of the different .States interested, called conventions, 
and through the deliljerations of these assemblies 
the aid of the Cieueral (ioverument was secured. 

Samuel Merrill was first married to Catherine 
Thomas, who died in 1847, fourteen months after 
their marriage. In January, 1851, he was uniti'd 
in marriage with a Miss Hill, of Buxton, l\Iainc. 
She became the mother of four children, three of 
whom died young, the eldest living to be onl3' two 
and a half years old. 

After the expiration of his public service he re- 
turned to Mctiregor, bnt shortly afterward removed 
to Des Moines, where he is now residing, and is 
President of the Citizens' National Bank. 

Thus brief!}' have been pointed out the leading 
features in the life of one of Iowa's most promi- 
nent citizens, and one who has made an honorable 
recoi'il liolh in jiulilic positions and private enter- 
|)rises. He is highly esteemed in the city where he 
resides and is regarded as one of the faithful rep- 
resentatives of the sons of New England. In >lac- 
ure he is fully six feet high and finely proportioneil. 



GOVERNORS OF IOWA. ■ 



189 











«--5K- ^> 

YRUS CLAY CARPENTKR, 

Governor of Iowa from l.s72 
b) to 1875, inclusive, w:is liorn 
in Susquehanna County, I'a., 
Nov. 24, 1829. He was left 
'iSf^^s^^^^l an ori)han at an early age, his 
[(^^-^-iV<«*^ ■ mother ilyiug when he was at 
jr. tlie age of ten years, and his father two 
rJt6\ years later. He was left in destitnte 
eircunistancts, and went first to learn 
the trade of a clothier, which, however, 
he abandoned after a few months, and 
engaged with a farmer, giving a term 
in till' winter, however, to attendance 
\ip(in the district school. When eighteen 
he licgan teaching school, and the fol- 
lownig four j'ears divided liis time between teach- 
ing and attending the academy at Hartford. At 
the ciinclusioii of this period he went to Ohio, 
wlicrc lie engaged as a teacher for a year and a 
half, spen<ling the summer .at farm work. 

In tlic yi'ar l,s.")4 Mr. Cari)cnter came further 
westward, visiting many points in Illinois and 
Iowa, arriving at Des Moines, then a village of 
some l,2(tll inhal)itants. This place, liowever, not 
offering a favor.able location, he proceeded on his 
journey, arriving in Fort Dodge June 28, l.SjVl. 
Owing to iiis being witiiout funds he was conii)elIed 
to travel on foot, in which way the journey to Fort 
Dodge was made, with his entire worldly ])osses- 
sions in a carpet-sack which he carried in his hand. 
Me soon found emi)lovment at Fort Dodge, as as- 
si.-tant to a (iovernmeut surve^'or. This work be- 



ing completed, j'oung C'arpenter assisted his land- 
lord in cutting hay, but soon secured .•iiiotiier 
position as a suivcyor's assistant. In the early 
l)art of the following .January he engaged in teach- 
ing school at Foi't Dodge, but in the spring was 
employed to take charge of a set of surveyors in 
surveying the counties of Emmet and Kossuth. 

On his return to Fort Dodge he found the land- 
otlice, which had been established at that place, 
was about to ojien for the sale of land. Being 
famiiiMr witli tlie <'oiMitiy and the location of the 
l)cst land, he oi)ened a private land-otlice, and 
found constant and jirolitable employment for tlie 
following three years, in platting and surveying 
lands for those seeking homes. During this period 
he became extensively known, and, being an active 
Repulilican, he was chosen as a standard-be.arer for 
his section of the State. lie was elected to the 
Legislature in the autumn of 1857. In 18G1, on 
the breaking out of the Rebellion, he volunteered 
and was assigned to duty as Commissary of Stdj- 
sistence, niucii of the time being Chief Commissary* 
of the left wing of tlie Kith Army Corps. In 18G1 
he w.as promoted Lieutenant-Colonel and assigned 
to duty on the statf of (Jen. Logan, as Chief Com- 
missary of the 15th Army Corps. He continued in 
the service until the dose of the war, and in 
August. 18G5, was mustered out. 

I'lton the dose of his service to his country ho 
returned to his home at Fort Dodge, but, owing to 
so nianv changes which had taken place, and suck 
an iiilhix of entcrinisiiig men into the city, he 
found his once [irosiieroiis business in the liaiids of 



£40 



OIKUS CLAY CAUPKNTER. 



olhers. He turned his attention to the improve- 
ment of a piece of hmd, wliere he remained until 
(lis election, in the autumn of 18GG, as Register of 
the State Land-Oflicc. He was re-elected in 18()8, 
and refused the nomination in 1870. This position 
took him to Des Moines, but in 1870 he returned 
to Fort Uodge. During the summer of the follow- 
ing year he was nominated b3' the Republican party 
for Governor. He was elected, and inaugurated as 
Chief Executive of Iowa Jan. 11, 1872. In 1873 
he was renominated by his party, and October 14 
af that year was re-elected, his inauguration taking 
place Jan. 27, 1874. Gov. Carpenter was an able, 
popular and faithful Executive, and was regarded 
as one of the most honest, prominent and unselfisii 
otiicials the State ever had. Plain, unassuming, 
aiodest, he won his public position more through 
;hc enthusiasm of his friends than by any personal 
effort or desire of his own. Everywhere, at all 
times and upon all occasions, he demonstrated that 
the confidence of his friends was justified. He took 
an active part in the groat question of monopolies 
unci transportation evils, which during his adminis- 
tration were so prominent, doing much to secure 
wise legislation in these respects. 

Gov. Carpenter has been regarded as a public 
speaker of more than ordinary ability, and has 
,ipon many occasions been the orator, and always 
appreciated by the people. 

At the expiration of his second term as Governor 
Mr. Carpenter was appointed Second Comptroller 
of the United States Treasury, which position he 
resiJued after a service of fifteen months. This 
step was an evidence of his luiselfishness, as it was 
taken because another Bureau officer was to be dis- 
missed, as it was held that Iowa had more heads of 
bureaus than she wiis entitled to, and his resigning 
•m ollice of the higher grade saved the position to 
.another. Ir 1881 he was elected to Congress, and 
served with ability, and in the Twentieth General 
Assemljly of Iowa he represented "Webster Countj'. 

G( . Carpenter was married, in March, 1864, to 
Miss Susan r.urkholder, of Fort Dodge. No chil- 
dren hnvi^ l)een born to them, but they have reared 
a nii'ce of ^Irs. Carpenter's. 

During his entire life Mr. Carpeilter has been de- 
.oted to tht' princii)les of Refcjrm and the best 



interests of all classes of citizens who, bv adoulior. 
or by birtli-right, are entitled to a home upon our 
soil and tlie protection of our laws, under the great 
charter of '• Life, Liberty and the Pursuiit of llap- 
l)iness." In an address in 18;J2 he took advanced 
views upon the leading subjects of public interest. 
He had alread}^ laid the foundation for that love of 
freedom which afterwards found an ample field of 
labor with the Republican party. There was noth- 
ing chimerical in his views. He looked at ever}' 
strata of human society, and, from the wants of the 
masses, wiselj' deviued duty and jjrophesied destinj-. 
He would have the people of a free Republic edu- 
cated in the spirit of the civilization of the age. 
Instead of cultivating a taste f i l a species of liter- 
ature tending directlj' to degrade the mind and 
deprave the heart, thereby leading back to a state 
of superstition and consequent barbarism, he would 
cultivate principles of temperance, industr}' and 
economy in every j-outhful mind, as the indispens- 
able ingredients of good citizens, or suljjects upon 
whose banner will be inscribed Liberty, Equality. 
Fraternity. 

Thus earl}^ in life Mr. Carpenter saw the destined 
tendency of our American institutions, and the ad- 
vancing civilization of the age. He saw it in the 
peace congress, whose deliberations have made the 
Rhine thrice immortal. He saw it in the prospect- 
ive railway, which he believed woidd one day 
unite the shores of the Atlantic with those of the 
Pacific — a fact realized by the construction of the 
great continental railwa)'. 

It was thus early that he began to study the 
wants of the world, and with what clearness and 
directness may be seen by the correctness of his 
vision and the accomplishment of what he consid- 
ered an inevitable necessit}'. 

Thus, gi'owing up into manhood, and passing on^ 
ward in the rugged pathway of time, disciplined in 
political economy and civil ethics in the stern 
school of experience, he was prepared to meet every 
emergency with a steady hand ; to bring order out 
of discord, and insure harmony and prosi)erity. 

Gov. Carpenter is now engaged in the quiet pur- 
suits of farm life, residing at Fort Dodge, where 
he is highly esteemed as one of her purest minded 
and most upright citizens. 



GOVKRNOUS OF IOWA. 



143 





OSriUA G. NEWBOLl). tlic 
ninth (iovernor of Iowa, is 
a native of Pennsylvania. 
He comes from that excellent 
stock known as the Friends, 
who veiT earl\- settled in 
e,\;_i'^V4j-^ ^^i'"' -lersey. Joshua G. is the 
son of Barzilla and Catherine 
(llonse) Kewbold, and was born 
^-^ in Fayette County, May 1'2, 
Is.'iO. He w.as born a farmer's 
lioy and was reared in the vigor- 
ous employment of farm work. 
Whin lie was eight years of age the 
family moved to AVestmoreland 
County. Pa., where, in the common 
schools and in a select school or academy-, young' 
2Cewbt)ld received his education. When si.xteen 
years of age he accompanied the familj- on their re- 
turn to Fayette Countj'. Here for the following 
eiglit years he assisted his father in running a llour- 
ing-mill as well as devoting much of his time to 
teaching school. When about nineteen years of 
age our subject began the study of medicine, de- 
voting much of his time while teaching to his med- 
ical books. He, however, abandoned the idea of 
becoming a physician and turned his attention to 
dilTerent walks in life. 

In tile month of March, 1854, Mr. Newbold re- 
moved to Iowa, locating on a farm, now jjartly in 
the coriKirutiou of Mount Pleas;int, Henry County. 




At tlie end of one year he removed to Ceda, 
Townshii), Van Buren County, there merchandising 
and farming till about 18G0, when he removed to 
Ilillsboro, Henry County, and pursued the same 
callings. 

In 1802, wiicn the call w.as made for 000,000 men 
to finish the work of crushing the Rebellion, I\Ir. 
Newbold left his farm in the hands of his family 
and his store iu charge of his partner, and went into 
tlie army as Captain of C\)mpany C, 2.')th Regiment 
of I(^wa Infantry. He served nearly three years, 
resigning just before the war closed, on account of 
disability. During tlie last two or three months he 
served at the South he filled the position of Judge 
Advocate, with headquarters at Woodville, Ala. 

His regiment was one of those that made Iowa 
troops famous. It arrived at Helena, Ark., in 
November, 1802, and .sailed in December following 
on the expedition against Mckslmrg by way of 
Chickasaw Bayou. At the latter place was its first 
engagement. Its seeijud was at Arkansas Post, and 
there it suffered severely, losing in killed and 
wi)unded more than sixty. 

Afti'r Lookout Mountain it joined in the pursuit 
of Bragg's Hying forces to Ringgold, where it en- 
gaged tiie enemy in tlieir strong works, November 
27, losing twenty-nine wounded. The following 
year it jifined Sherman in his Atlanta Cami>aign, 
then on the famous march to the sea and through 
the Carolinas. 

On returning to Iowa he continued in the mer- 



144 



JOSHUA G. NEWBOLD. 



cMiitilc trade at llillsboro for three or four years, 
and llu'ii sold out, <fiving' tlioreafter his whole at- 
tention to agric'uhure, stociv raising and stock-deal- 
ing, making the sttx'k department an important 
factor in liis business for seveial years. Mr. New- 
hold was a inendx'r of the i;Uh, 14th and loth (Gen- 
eral Assenililies, representing Henry County, and 
was Chairman of the School Committee in the 1-lth, 
and of tiie committee on appropriations in the l;Jtli 
(ieneral Assend)ly. In the 15th (ls7l) lie was tem- 
porary Speaker during the deadlock in orginiizing 
the House. In IK?') he was electcil Lieutenant 
Governor on tile Kepulilican ticket witii Samuel J. 
Kirkwdod. 

His Democratic competitor was E. I). AVoodward, 
who received 93,000 votes. Mr. Newbold received 
l.'il.UlG, or a majority of 31,100. Governor Kirk- 
wood being elected United States Senator during 
that session, Mr. Newbold became Governor, taking 
the chair Feb. 1, 1877, and vacating it for Gov. 
Gear in .lamiarj', 187iS. 

Gov. Newbold's message to the Legislature 
.'n 1878, shows painstaking care and a clear, busi- 
ness-like view of the interests of the State. His 
recommendations were carefully considered and 
largely adopted. The State's finances were then in 
a less creditable condition than ever before or 
since, as there was an increasing floating debt, then 
amounting to $3 10, 820.. 50, more than $1)0,000 in 
e.Kcess of the Constitutional limitation. Said C!ov. 
Newbold in his message: "The commonwealth 
ought not to set an example of dilatoriness 
in meeting its obligations. Of all forms of indebt- 
edness, that of a floating character is the most ob- 
jectionable. The uncertainty as to its amount will 



invariably enter into anj' computation made b}- per- 
sons contracting with the State for supi)lies. mater- 
ial or labor. To remove the present dilliculty, and 
to avert its recurrence, I look upon as the most im- 
portant work that will demand your attention." 

f)ne of the greatest problems liefore statesmen is 
that of (■(pi.-ij .•ind just taxation. The following 
recommendation siiows that Gov. Newbold was 
abreast with foremost thinkers, for it projKjscs a 
step which yearly linds nioie favor with the people: 
"The inequalities of the personal-i)roi)erty valu- 
ations of the several counties suggest to m^' mind 
the proprietj' of so adjusting the State's levy as to 
require the counties to pay into the State treasury 
only the tax on realty, leaving the corresponding 
tax on personalty in the county treasury. This 
would rest with e.ich county the adjustment of its 
own personal property valuations, without fear that 
they might be so high as to work injustice to itself 
in comparison with other counties." 

Gov. Newbold has alwa3s affiliated with the 
Republican party, and holds to its great cardinal 
doctrines, having once embraced them, with the 
same sincerity and honesty that he dierishes his re- 
ligious sentimeuts. . lie has been a Christian for 
something like twcnty-flve years, his connection be- 
ing with the Free-Will llaptist Church. He found 
his wife, Rachel Farquhar, in Fa3-ette County, Pa., 
their union taking place on the 2d of May, ISoO. 
They have had five children and lost two. The 
names of the living are Mary Alleue, Emma 
Irene and George C. 

The Governor is not yet an old man, and may 
serve his State or county in other capacities in the 
coming years. 






^^f^ix^ 



GOVERNORS OF IOWA. 



147 



<*' 



^''i)'£'-\SiS^y^:^i&<siM:;^>sASS@J'-'i)(^<& 




mm 








OHN IT. OKAR, the tenth 
P^ gL'iitk'inau ti) occiip3' the 
Executive Chair of Iowa, is 
still a resident i>f liiirliiiiiton. 
lie is a native <if the Empire 
State, where in the eity of 
Ithiea, April 7, 1 S2.'), he was horn. 
Ri'v. E. G. Gcai, his father, was 
liorn in New London, Conn., in 
S ■■ y " 1 7'.I2, and heeanie a distinguished 
Vi, . 7/^ clergyman of the Protestant 
Episcopal Church. His family had 
removed with hiui, whili' he wa.s 
still young, to Pittsfleld, !Mass., and 
in the year 181(), after his ordina- 
tion as a clergyman of the Episco- 
pal Church, he went to jS'ew York 
and located at Onondaga Hill ne;ir 
[n the city of Syracuse. Shortl\- after 
this settlement, the young minister 
was united in marriage with Miss 
^liranda E. Cook. After serving 
various congregati(jns in AVestern 
New York for many 3'e:irs, he de- 
i termine(l to heconie a pioneer in 
Norihern Illinois, which at the time, in the j-ear 
183*!, was being rajjiilly settled up. He found a 
dcsiralile location at (Jalena where he remained un- 
til !«;!«, when he received the ai)|)ointmcnt a.s 
('iiai)lain in the United States army while located 
at Eort Snelling, Jlinn. lie lived a long and act- 
ive life, doing much gocd, quitting his labors in 



the year 1871 at the advanced age of eighty-two 
3' ears. 

The only son born to Mr. and .Mrs. E. G. Gear 
was J. II., afterward the distinguished Governor of 
Iowa. As above stated the birth occurred in 1«2.5. 
In 1.S43, when still a young man, he came AVest to 
P.urlington, where he has since continued to reside, 
her most distinguished citizen. Shortly after his 
arrival in the J'oung city, he embarked in his mer- 
cantile career, engaging at the time with the firm 
of Bridgman & Bros., in the capacity of a clerk. 
Remaining with this (iiin for a little over a year, 
h(' left them for an engagement with AY. F. Cool- 
liaugh, who at one time Avas President of the 
liiion Naticmal Bank, of Chicago, and who at that 
early period was the leading merchant of Eastern 
Iowa. He served Jlr. Co(jlbaiigh so faithfully, and 
with such marked ability for the following five 
years, that, when desirous of a partner in his busi- 
ness, the wealthj- merchant could find no one in 
whom he could place greater confidence and with 
whom he could trust his extensive business rela- 
tions that pleased him better than the young clerk. 
Accordingly he was associated as a partner under 
tlu^ firm name of AY. F. CoolI)augh & Co. Under 
this arrangement the firm did a prosperous busi- 
ness for the following five years, when Mr. (iear 
jjurchascd the entire business, which he carried on 
with marked success until he Ijecame known as the 
oldest wholeside grocer in the State. He 's at present, 
1)esides filling other i)rominent business relations. 
President of the Rolling Mill Co., of Gulesburg 



■1.48 



JUIIN 11, GUAR. 



Mr.Goar has lieen honored liy his fcihjw-citizens 
with niaiu' pof;itions uf trust. In 1852 he was 
elected Alderman; in 18G3 was elected Mayor 
over A. W. Carpenter, being the first Republican 
up to that time who had )>eeii elected in Burlington 
on a party issue. In 18(57 the Burlington, Cedar 
Kfl.pids & Minnesota ilailroad Company was organ- 
ized, and lie was chosen as its President. His ef- 
fort; highly contribnteii to the success of the enter- 
prise, which did much for Burlington. He was 
nlso active in promoting the Burlington & South- 
western Kiiilwa^', as well as the Burlington & North- 
western narrow-gauge road. 

He has always acted with tlic Republican party, 
and in 1871 was nominated and elected a member 
of the House of Representatives of the 14th 
General Assembly. In 1873 he was elected to the 
15th General Assembl3'. The Republican cau- 
cus of the House nominated him for Speaker by 
acclamation, and after a contest of two weeks he 
wat chosen over his opponent, J. W. Dixon. He 
tilled the position of Speaker very acceptably, and 
at tlie close of the session all the members of the 
House, independent of party alliliations, joined in 
signing their names to a resolution of thanks, which 
was engraved and presented to him. In 1875 he 
was the third time nominated to the Assembly by 
the Republican party, and while his county gave a 
large Democratic vote he was again elected. He 
was also again nominated for Speaker by the Re- 
publican caucus, and was elected by a handsome 
majority over his comijctitor, Hon. John Y. Stone. 
He is the only man in the State who ever had the 
iionor of being chosen to this high position a sec- 
ond time. He enjoys the reputation of being an 
able parliamentarian, his rulings never having been 
appealed from. At the close of the session he 
again received the unanimous thanks of the House 
of Representatives for his courtesy and impartiality, 
and for the able and satisfactory manner in which 
he had presided over that bod^-. 

In 1877 he was nominated for Governor by the 
Republican convention w-hich met at Des Moines, 
June 28, and at the election held the following 
October he received 121,540 votes, against 79,353 
for John P. Irish, 10,039 for Elias Jessup and 38,- 
126 for D. P. Stubbs. His plurality over Irish 



was 42,103. He was inaugurated .Tan. 17, 1878, 
and served four yeai-s, being re-elected in 1879 by 
the following handsome vote: Gear, .157,571; 
Trimble, 85,05G; Campbell, 45,439; Dungan, 3,258^ 
Gear's majority over all competitors, 23,828. His 
second inauguration occurred in January of the 
year 1880. 

Gov. Gear's business habits enabled him to (bV 
charge the duties of his oflice with marked abil: y 
He found the financial condition of the State at ; 
low ebb, but raised Iowa's credit to that of the 
l)est of our States, in his last biennial message he 
was able to report: "The warrants out-standing, 
but not bearing interest, Sept. 30, 1881, amounted 
to !?22,093.74, and there are now in the treasur^y 
ample funds to meet the current expenses of the 
State. The war and defense debt has been paid, 
except the warrants for ;^1 25,000 negotiated by the 
Executive, Auditor and Treasurer, under the law 
of the 18th General Assembly, and §2,500 of 
the original l>onds not yet i)resentcd for pay ■ 
ment. The only other deljt owing b}- the State 
amounts to §245,435.19, due to the [lermanent 
school fund, a portion of which is made irrcdeem 
able by the Constitution. These facts place Iowa 
practically among the States which have no debt, 
a consideration which must add much to her repii 
tation. The expenses of the State for tlie last two 
years are less than those of any other period since 
18G9, and this notwithstanding the fact that the 
State is to-daj' sustaining several institutions not 
then in existence; namely, the hospital at Inde- 
pendence, the additional penitentiar}-, the Normal 
School and the asjlum for the feeble-minded chil- 
dren, besides the girl's department of the reform 
school. The State also, at present, makes provision 
for fish culture, for a useful weather service, fu 
sanitary supervision ])y a Board of Ilealtli, for en 
conraging immigration to the State, for the inspec 
tion of coal n^nes by a State Inspector, and liber- 
ally for the military arm of the Government." 

Gov. Gear is now in the sixty-first year of his 
age, and is in the full vigor of both his mental and 
physical faculties. He was married in 1852 to 
Harriet S. Foot, formerly of the town of IMiddle- 
bury, Vermont, by whorn he has had four children 
two of whom are living. 





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.' XE of the most distinguislu'd 
gentlcnu'ii who was ever 
honored with the i)o:*itioii 
/t9 of Chief Executive of t!ie 
.^-'j, state is Biiren 1{. Slieiniaii. 
^ the eleventh Coveiiior of 
Iowa, who is a native of New York. 
It was in the town of Pheliis, in On- 
tario County, that he was horn toliis 
,^'f^ parents, Phineas L. and Eveline 
iu^ (Robinson) Sliernian, <>n tiie 2>ith of 
JKT May, 1S:}(;, and was the third xm of 
' \ V^' a distinguished family of ehildren. 
, c, His parents were likewise natives of 

the JCmpire State. Buren K. atlendeil the jwlilie 
schools of his neighborhood, but was subsequently 
given advantages of the schools at Almira, N. Y.. 
where he acquired a very thorough knowledge of 
the English branches. His father, who was a ine- 
clianic, advised him at the close of his studies to 
apprentice liimself to learu sonic trade. , He ac- 
cordingly made such aiTangements with S. Aycrs, of 
Ahnira, to learn the trade of a watchmaker. Tn 
1.''.')"), hov.ever. he left tliis jiosition and juiiicd his 
family on their removal t<> the tlun new State of 
Iowa. They settled upon a jiieccnf unbroken iir;ii- 
rie lain! on v. hit i^^ now (lencsen Township, Tama 



'■4 



County, his father having previously purchased 
land from the (iovernment. Here 15;iren K. labcn^d 
diligently in dc\cl<ipiiig his father's fields, devoting, 
iiowever, leisure hours which he was granted, to the 
study of law. liefure leaving his Eastern home he 
liad decided updii lliat iirofi's>i(;n and liegan its 
study while yet in jVliiiira. He soon sceu/cd a po- 
sition as a book-keeper in a neigliboring town, aiiC^; 
witii the wages earned flicn'. materially as.sisted hi.- 
father in the development of their hiniie farm. Vr. 
tiie meantime lie had applied liiniself diligently tr 
tlie study of liis bonks, and SO studious had he 
liceii that in the summer of 1 s.jO, he was enabled 
to pass a creditable examination and to be adm'tted 
to the bar. The following spring the .young attor- 
ney moved to \int(in, hung out his shingle and lie- 
gan the i)racticeof his jirufession. He was associated 
with Hon. AN'iliiam Sniytli, fiirnicily District Judge, 
and .1. C. Traer, under the firm name of Siuytl'. 
Traer i^- Siierman. The new firm r;i|>idly grew into 
in'ominence, biiililiiig up a priis|icroi!s lu-actirc, 
when Mr. Sliermau withdrew to tender his services 
to the (iovernment in defense of her iuletrrity ml 
honor. 

It was early in 1 SCI. directly after the enemy had 
assaulted the American flag on Sumter, tliat the 
young attorney enlisted in Co. (J, l-'Uli Iowa Vol, 



r52 



BUREN R. SHERMAN. 



Inf., and immediately went to the fr(mt. He 
entered the service as Second Sergeant, and in 
February-, 1802, was made Second Lieutenant of 
Conii)an3' E. On the (jtii of April following lie was 
fery severely wounded at the battle of I'ittsburgh 
Landing, and while in the hosjiital was promoted to 
the rank of Captain. He returned to his company- 
while jH't obliged to use his crutches, and remained 
on duty till the summer of 1863, when, by reason of 
Ills wiiund, he was compelled to resign and return 
home. Soon aftei' returning from the army he was 
elected Count}- Judge of Benton County, and re- 
elected without opposition in 18G,5. In the autumn 
of 18G6 he resigned liis judgeship and accepted the 
office of Clerk of the District Court, to which he 
was re-elected in 18G8, 1870 and 1872, and in 
December. 1 874, resigned in order to accept the 
office 111' Auditor of State, to which office he had 
been elected by a majority of 28,425 over J. M. 
King, the "anti-monopoly " candidate. In 1876 he 
was renominated and received 50,272 more votes 
than AV. (irowneweg (Democrat) and Leonard 
i;rt)wne ((ireenback) together. In 1878 he was 
again chosen to represent the Republican party 
ill that office, .and this time received a major- 
ity t)f 7.164 over the combined votes of Col. 
E';b'.'eck (Democrat) and G. V. Swearenger (Green- 
back), In the six j-ears that he held this office, he 
was untiring in his faithful application to routine 
work and devotion to his special share of the State's 
business. He retired with such an enviable record 
that it was with no surprise the people learned, 
.lune 27, 1881, that he was the nominee of the Re- 
publican party for Governor. 

The campaign was an exciting one. The General 
Assembly had submitted to the people the [iroliibi- 
tory amendment to the Constitution. This, while 
not a partisan tpiestion, became uppermost in the 
mind of the public. Mr. Sherman received 133,- 
330 votes, against 83,244 for Kinne and 28,112 for 
D. M. Clark, or a plurality of 50,080 and a major- 
ity of 21,974. In 1883 he was re-nominated by 
the Republicans, as well as L. G. Kinne by the 
Democrats. The National party offered J. B. 
A\'eaver. During the campaign these candidates 
held a number of ji>int discussions at different 
points in the State. At the election the vote was: 



Sherman, 104,182; Kinne. 130,093: Weaver, 23. 
089; Sherman's plurality, 25,089; majority. 2,000 
In his second inaugural Gov. Sherman said : 

" In assuming, for the second time, the office ol 
Chief JIagistrate for the State, 1 fullv realize ii'V 
grateful oliligations to the [leople of Iowa, tliruuf^h 
whose generous confidence I am here. 1 am aware 
of the duties and grave respon.iibilities of this ex- 
alted position, and as well what is expected of me 
therein. As in the past I have given my undivided 
time and serious attention thereto, so in the future 
I pronii.se the most earnest devotion and untiring 
effort in the faithful performance of m^' official re- 
quirements. I have seen the State grow from in- 
fancy to mature manhood, and each j'ear one i^f 
substantial betterment of its previous position. 

'• With more railroads than any State, save two; 
with a school interest the grandest and strongest, 
which commands the support and confifk'iice of all 
the people, and a population, which in its entirety 
is superior to any other in the sisterhood, it is 
not strange the pride wiiich attaches to our people. 
When we remember that the results of our efforts iii 
the direction of good government have been 
crowned with such magnificent success, and to-day 
we have a State in most perfect physical and finan- 
cial condition, no wonder our hearts swell in lioiicst 
pride as vvc contemplate the past and so confidently 
hope for the future. What we maA' become de- 
pends on our own efforts, and to that future 1 h >< ik 
with earnest and abiding confidence." 

Gov. Sherman's term of office continued until .Jan. 
14, 1886, when he was succeeded by William Laria- 
bee, and he is now, temporarily, jjcrhajjs, enjoying 
a well-earned rest. He has been a Republican since 
the organization of that party, and his services as a 
campaign speaker have been for many years in 
great demand. As an officer he has been able to 
make an enviable record. Himself honorable and 
thorough, his management of pulilic business has 
been of the same character, and such as has com- 
mended him to the approval of his fellow-citizens. 

He was married, Aug. 20, 1802, to Miss Lena 
Kendall, of A^inton, Iowa, a young lady ot rare ac- 
complishments and strength of character. Their 
union has been happy in every res[)ect. 'riiey have 
two children — Lena Kendall and Oscar Eug<.'uc. 




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GOVERNORS OF IOWA. 



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ILLIAIM LARRABEE. tlio 
present able Governor of 
lona, and the twelfth gen- 
15 tlemaii selected bj the 
people as the Chief Magis- 
trate of the great Com- 
monwealth, is a native of 
Connecticut. His ancestors 
were among the French Hugnenots who 
came to America earlj- in the seventeenth 
century and located in Connecticut. At 
that time they bore the name of d'Larra- 
bce. Adam Larrabee, the father of "Will- 
iam, was born March 14, 17H7, and was 
j£^ one of the earl}- graduates of the "West 
Point Militarj' Academy, lie served his 
couutiy during the War of 1812, with distinction, 
holdrngthe position of Second Lieutenant, to which 
he was commissioned March 1, 1811. He was pro- 
moted to the Captainc\- of his company- Feb. 1, 
IHll, and on the 30th of the following March, at 
the battle of Lacole Jlills, during Gen. AVilkinson's 
cam|)aign on the Saint L.awrence River, he was 
severely- wounded in the lung. He eventually re- 
covered from the injur}' and was united in mar- 
riage to Hainiah G. Lester. This much esteemed 
lady was born June 3, 1 708, .and died on the 1 5th cf 
.^^arch, 18:57. Capt. Larrabee lived to an ad- 
vanced age, dj'ing in 18G'J, at the age of eighty- 
two years. 

As above mentioned, William, our subject, was 



born in Connecticmt, the town of Ledyard being 
the place of his birth and Jan. 20, 1 832, the date. 
He was the seventh child in a family of nine chil- 
dren, and i)assed the early jears of his life upnn a 
rugged New Hlngland farm, enjoying very meager 
educational advantages. He attended, during tlie 
winter seasons, the neighboring district schools 
until he reached the age of nineteen 3-ears, when, 
during the following two winters, he filled the posi- 
tion of schoolmaster. He was ambitiuus to do 
something in life for himself that would bring fort- 
une and distinction, but in making his plans for the 
future he was cmbariassed by a misfortune which 
liefell him when fourteen years of age. In being 
trained to the use of firearms under his father's 
direction, an accidental discharge resulted in the 
loss of the sight in the right c3-e. This conse- 
quently unfitted him for many emploj'ments usually 
sought by ambitious 3'oung men. The family 
lived near the seashore, onl}' two miles away, and 
in that neighborhood it was the custom for at least 
<inc son in eacli family to go upon the sea .as a 
sailor. The two eldest brothers of our subject had 
chosen this occupation while the third remained in 
charge of the home farm. William was thus left 
free to chose for himself and, like many of the 
youths of that da}', he wisel}' turned his face West- 
ward. The year 18.53 found him on this journey 
toward the setting sun, stopping only when he 
came to the liroad and fertile i)rairies of the new 
StJite of Iowa, lie first joined his elder sister, ^Ir-. • 



156 



AVILL1A3I LARRABEE. 



E. H. Williiuns, who was at that time living- at 
Gariiavillo, Claytuu C'ouut^'. It was this eircuni- 
staiiee whicli led the j'oung boy from Connecticut 
to select his future home in the northeastern por- 
tion of lowM. lie resumed his occupation as a 
jjedagogue, teaching, however, Ijut one winter, 
whicli was passed at Hardin. The following three 
years he was employed in the capacity of foreman 
on the Orand Meadow farm of his brother-in-law, 
Judge Williams. 

In 1857 he bought a one-third interest in the 
Clermont Mills, and located at Clermont, Fayette 
County. He soon was able to buy the other two- 
thirds, and within a year found himself sole owner. 
He operated this mill until 1871 when he sold to 
S. M. Leach. On the breaking out of the war he 
offered to enlist, but was rejected on account of 
the loss of his right eye. Being informed he might 
jKtssibly be admitted as a commissioned officer, he 
raised a company and received a commission as 
First Lieutenant, but was again rejected for the 
same disaliilit}'. 

After selling the mill Mr. Larrabee devoted him- 
self tt> farming, and started a jirivate bank at Cler- 
mont. He also, experimentally, started a large 
nurser\% but this resulted onl3' in confirming the 
belief that Northern Iowa has too rigorous a cli- 
mate f(jr fruit-raising. 

Mr. Larrabee did not begin his political career 
until 18G7. He was reared as a AVhig and became 
a Uepublican on the organization of that party. 
Wliile intrivstcd in politics he generally refused 
local offices, serving onlj' as Treasurer of the 
School R(,)ard prior to 18G7. In the autumn of 
that year, on the Republican ticket, he was elected 
;o re[)rescnt his count}' in the State Senate. To 
this iiigli jiosition he was re-elected from time to 
time, so that he served as Senator continuously for 
eighteen. y.t^us Ijcf ore being promoted to the high- 
est office in the State. He was so jiopular at home 
that he was generally re-nominated byacclamation, 
and for some years the Democrats did uot even 



make nominations. During liic whole eighteen 
j-ears Senator Larrabee was a member of the i)rin- 
cipal committee, that on Ways and ^Nlcans, of which 
he was generally Chairman, and was also a member 
of other committees. In tlie pursuit of the duties 
thus devolving upon him. he was indefatigable. 
It is said that he never missed a committee meet- 
ing. Not alone in this, but in jMUvate and publi< 
Inisincss of all kinds, his uniform habit is that ol 
close application to work. Many of the imjiortant 
measures passed by the Legi.slature owe their ex- 
istence or present form to him. 

He was a candidate for the gubernatorial noiiiina- 
tion in 1881, but entered the contest too late, as 
f!ov. Sherman's followuig had been successfully 
organized. In 1 SHij it was generally c(jnceded be- 
fore the meeting of the convention tliat lie wi>uld 
be nominated, which he was, and his election fol- 
lowed as a matter of course. He was inaugurated 
Jan. 14, 1880, and so far has made an excellent 
Governor. Ilis iiosition in regard to the liquor 
question, that on which political fortunes are made 
and lost in Iowa, is that the majority should rule. 
He was personall}' in favor of high license, but 
having been elected Governor, and sworn to up- 
hold the Constitulioii and execute the laws, he pro- 
l)oses to do so. 

A Senator who sat beside him in the Senate de 
Glares him to be '"a man of the broadest compre- 
hension and information, an extraordinarily clear 
reasoner, fair and conscientious in his conclusions, 
and of Spartan firmness in his matured judgment," 
and says that " he brings the practical facts and 
philosophy of human nature, the" science and his- 
tory of law, to aid in his decisions, and adheres with 
the earnestness of Jeflferson and Sumner to the 
fundamental principles of the people's rights." 

Gov. Larrabee was married Sept. 1 2, 1 8G 1 , at Cler- 
mont, to Anna M. Appelman, daughter of Capt. 
G. A. Appelman. Gov. Larrabee has seven chil- 
dren — Charles, Augusta, Julia, Anna, William, 
Frederic and Helen. 




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GRACE BOIES, Goyernor 
of Iowa, is a lawyer by 
profession, and a resident 
of the city of Waterloo, 
of this State, where he 
has been in active prac- 
tice since April, 1867. Governor 
Boies is a son of Eber and Hettie 
(Hensliaw) Boies, and was born in 
Aurora, Erie County, N. Y.,on the 
7th day of December, 1827. His 
father w.is a farmer by occnpation, 
and in moderate circumstances, and 
Horace was reared under the 
healthful and moral influences of 
farm life, lie attended tiie public schools, as op- 
ix)rtunity afforded, until sixteen years of age, when 
being inspired with an ambition to see more of the 
world tlian had been possible for him within the 
narrow limits of his native town, with the added 
variety of an occasional visit to Buffalo, he per- 
suaded his parents to consent to his departure for 
the West. Passage was secured on a steamer at 
Buffalo, which was l)ound up the lakes, and in due 
time he landed at the little hamlet of Racine, AVis. 
This was in the spring of 1843, while Wisconsin 



was a Territorj^ and but sparsely settled. The total 
cash assets of the youthful emigrant amounted to 
but seventy-five cents, whicli necessitated strict 
economy and immediate emplo3'ment. Not finding 
a favorable opening at Racine he struck out on 
foot in search of work among the farmers, which 
he secured with a settler near Rochester, and some 
twenty miles from Racine. His employer proved 
a hard task-master and kept the boj' hard at the la- 
borio\is work of ditch digging, while he stinted 
him at meals. After a month spent in a iialf- 
starved condition, and over-worked, the subject of 
our sketch received tliesum of *10 for his services, 
and broken down in health, moved on a few miles, 
where he luckily fell in witli a family that had 
moved from the neigliborhood of his home. They 
proved true friends and kindly cared for him 
through a long illness, that was the legitimate con- 
sequence of his previous month of hardship and 
starvation. 

On recovering his iiealth, young Boies continued 
at farm work until a year had elapsed since lie had 
left his home. He then returned to his native 
town, having learned the useful lesson of self-re- 
liance, which in after j'cars enabled iiim to more 
easily overcome the difficulties that beset the way 



4 




^m INTRODUCTORY 





^^^•^BIB^SSH^ 




viHE time has arrived when it 
becomes the duty of the 
people of this county to per- 
petuate the names of their 
pioneers, to furnish a record 
of their early settlement, 
and relate the story of their 
progress. The civilization of our 
day, the enlightenment of the age 
and the duty that men of the pres- 
ent time owe to their ancestors, to 
themselves and to their posterity, 
demand that a record of their lives 
and deeds should bo made. In bio- 
graphical history is found a power 
to instruct man by precedent, to 
enliven the mental faculties, and 
to waft down the river of time a 
safe vessel in whicli the names and actions of the 
lieopie who contributed to raise this country from its 
primitive state may be preservi.'d. Surely and rapidly 
the great and aged men, who in their ))rime entered 
the wilderness and claimed the virgin soil as their 
heritage, are passing to tlieir graves. The number re- 
maining who can relate the incidents of tlie first days 
jf settlement is becoming small indeed, so tliat an 
actual necessity e.xists for the collection and preser- 
vation of events without delay, before all the early 
settlers are cut down by the scythe of Time. 

To be forgotten has been the great dread of mankind 
from remotest ages. All will be forgotten soon enough, 
in spite of their best works and the most earnest 
efforts of their friends to perserve the memory of 
their lives. The means employed to prevent oblivion 
and to perpetuate their memory has been in propor- 
tion to the amount of intelligence they possessed. 
Vh". pyramiils of Kgypt were built to perpetuate the 
names and deeds of their great rulers. The exhu- 
mations made l)y the archeologists of Egypt from 
buried Memphis indicate a desire of those people 



to perpetuate the memory of their achievements. 
The erection of the great obelisks were for the same 
purpose. Coming down to a later period, we find the 
Greeks and Romans erecting mausoleums and monu- 
ments, and carving out statues to chronicle their 
great achievements and carry them down the ages. 
It is also evident that the Mound-builders, in piling 
up their great mounds of earth, had but this idea — 
to leave something to show that they had lived. All 
these works, though many of them costly in the ex- 
treme, give but a faint idea of the lives and charac- 
ters of those whose memory they were intended to 
perpetuate, and scarcely anything of the masses of 
the people that then lived. The great pyramids and 
some of the obelisks remain objects only of curiosity ; 
the mausoleums, monuments and statues are crum- 
bling into dust. 

It was left to modern ages to establish an intelli- 
gent, undecaying, immutable method of perpetuating 
a full history — immutable in that it is almost un- 
limited in extent and perpetual in its action; and 
this is through the art of printing. 

To the present generation, however, we are in- 
debted for the introduction of the admirable system 
of local biography. By this system every man, though 
he has not achieved what the world calls greatness, 
has the means to perpetuate his life, his history, 
through the coming ages. 

The scythe of Time cuts down all ; nothing of the 
physical man is left. The monument which his chil- 
dren or friends may erect to his memory in the ceme- 
tery will crumble into dust and pass away; but his 
life, his achievements, the work he has accomplished, 
which otherwise would be forgotten, is perpetuated 
by a record of this kind. 

To preserve the lineaments of our companions we 
engrave their portraits, for the same reason we col- 
lect the attainable facts of their history. Nor do we 
think it necessary, as we speak only truth of them, to 
wait until they are dead, or until those who know 
them are gone: to do this we are ashamed only to 
publish to the world the history of those whose lives 
are unworthy of public record. 




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PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM, 



169 











— > i ^ 



ON. JAMES F. WILSON, 
United States Senator 
from Iowa. Among the 
many eminent statesmen 
of America wlio have 
won prominence and dis- 
tinction through tiieir own unaided 
efforts, rising from h\imble stations 
in life wiiere educational advan- 
tages were limited, to high places 
of public honor and trust, must be 
classed the Senator whose name 
heads this sketcli. The story of 
the successful growth in political 
intluence and power of such men 
as Lincoln, Garfield, Henry Wilson, Kirkwood. and 
James F. Wilson, with numerous others, touches the 
honest pride of the true American heart and rouses 
to a spirit of emulation the ambition of those who, 
conscious of the possession of superior talents and 
natural ability, find themselves hampered by the 
accident of birth in advantages of edacation. 

James F. Wilson was born in Newark, Ohio, on 
the I9th of October, 1828, and is a son of David 
S. and Kilty A. (Bramble) Wilson. His father, a 
native of Morgautown, Va., was born in 1800, of 
Scotch ancestry, and was a contractor ami builder 



■ » I< - 



by trade. In Newark. Ohio, he married Miss 
Kilty A. Bramble, who was born in Chillicothe, of 
that State, on the 16th of November, 1810. His 
death occurred in 1839, leaving three small chil- 
dren to the care of the mother. The parents were 
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Mr. 
Wilson taking an active part in everything that 
pertained to the advancement of the cause. Polit- 
ically, he was a Whig. Their family numbered 
five children but only three lived to mature j-ears, 
namely : James F., Mary J., wife of Dr. Blair, and 
David B. The mother died at the home of her 
daughter in Fairfield. January 28, 1875. 

As our subject was the eldest of the children, at 
the death of his fatlier, although then but eleven 
years of age, he was required to assist his mother 
in providing for the support of the family. Soon 
after his father's death, he was apprenticed to a 
saddle and harness maker, serving a term of several 
years. Under those circumstances, his educational 
advantages were necessarily limited, but by per- 
sistent effct and self culture and with the aid of 
several friends giving him private instructions at 
their homes, he succeeded in acquiring a good edu- 
cation, including some of the languages. His am- 
bition was to qualify himself to enter the profession 
of the law and that fact coming to the knowledge 



170 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



of W. B. Woods, afterwards one of the Associate 

Justices of the Supreme Court of the I'nited States, 
he took a warm interest in the future of the young 
liarness-mai<er, loaned liitn books and acted as his 
instructor. Mr. Wilson pursued ids early law 
studies as he had his literary studies-while working 
at his trade. In 18;jl, he quit the bench to devote 
his time to preparation for his chosen w(^rk. In 
18.i2, he was .admitted to the bar in his native 
town and there began the practice of his profession. 

There Mr. Wibon was also married on tlie 2.')th 
of November, 1852, the lady of his clioice being 
Miss ^lary A. K. Jewett, a native of Newark, 
Ohio, and a daughter of Alpheus Jewett. Soon af- 
terward lie removed witii his wife to Iowa and set- 
tled in Fairfield where ho entered upon the i)ractice 
of his jjrofession. Three children wore l)0in to 
l\Ir. and Mrs. 'Wilson, two sons and a daughter — 
Rollin J., the eldest, is the senior partner of the 
law firm of Wilson Ar Hinkle of Fairfield; Mary 
Blair, the only daughter, was educated at Fairfield 
and resides with her parents; James F., Jr., was 
born May 23, 1867, educated at Parsons College, in 
Fairfield, and in October, 1889, engaged in the 
boot and shoe business at that city. All were born 
in Fairfield. The Senator and his family attend 
the rongregational Church, of which Mrs. AVilson 
and the childien are members. 

In addition to his law practice, i\Ir. Wilson, soon 
after coming to Faiifield, participated in the edi- 
torial charge of the organ of his party and the able 
and vigorous manner m which he wielded the pen 
soon attracted attention and favorable comment 
from the public. He rapidly won [trominence both 
as a lawyer and a writer, and in 1856, was chosen 
a member of the convention to revise the State 
Constitution of Iowa and proved one of the most 
active and useful members of that body. In 1857 
he was appointed by the Governor of Iowa, Assist- 
ant Commissioner of the Des Moines River Im- 
provement, then the most important work of the 
interior public improvements in the State. During 
the same year he was chosen to represent his dis- 
trict in tiie Lower House of the State Legislature 
and was made chairman of the Committee on 
Wa3's and Means. In 1>'.59, he w.as elected a mem- 
ber of the State Senate and served on the Judiciary 



Committee through whose hands passed the revis- 
ion of 1860. In 1861 he was chosen President of 
the Senate and during tlie same ^ear w.as elected 
to Congress to fill a vacancy caused 113^ the resig- 
nation of Samuel II. Curtis. After serving the un- 
expired term of Gen. Curtis. Mr. Wilson was 
re-elected without o|)position in any of the nomi- 
nating conventions, to the Thirty-eighth, Thirty- 
ninth and Fortieth Congresses and declined a 
further renominalion. W'hen he entered Congress 
he was placed on the Judiciary Committee of the 
House of the Thirty seventh Congress, and in all 
probability was the youngest man ever placed on 
that committee, being only Ihirly-tiiree j'ears of 
age at that time. He continued to serve on that 
committee during the succeeding terms of his mem- 
bership in the House and for six j'ears was chair- 
man of the committee. During that period the 
important judicial questions arising from the late* 
war and consequent reconstruction of the relations 
between the Slates lately' in rebellion and the gov- 
ernment, made the duties of the Judiciary Com- 
mittee more arduous and important than at an}' 
lime since tiie formation of the government. How 
ably and faithfully lie discharged the duties which 
devolved upon him is a mailer of history. That 
he remained uninterrupteilly at its head and that 
no measure favorably reported on by the commit- 
tee failed in the House, is the best assurance of that 
thai confidence placed by Congress in his work. 

Originally an anti-slaver}- Whig, Mr. Wilson 
joined the anli Nebraska party on tlie lepeal of the 
Missouri Compromise and soon afterwards look an 
active part in the organization of the lle|)ublican 
])arty in Iowa. He at once took prominence in the 
new party and was recognized as one of its most 
zealous and consistent adherents. ''During his 
whole political career, whether in contests in hi.s 
own State or the councils of the Nation, he has 
been a pronounced and unswerving friend of equal 
rights to all, without regard to race, color, or creed. 
He was an original advocate of the proposition to 
erase the word "while" from the State Constitution 
and persevered in his efforts in that direction un- 
til the final triumph of the measure in the canvass 
of 1868." ''On December 7. 1863, the first d.ay of 
the session of the Thirty-eighth Congress, Mr. Wii- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



171 



son gave notice in llic House of iiis intention to in- 
troduce a joint resolution for an aniendmcnt to tlie 
Constitution abolisliing slaver}'. Tbis was tiic first 
notice looking to that end eyer given in tlie Con- 
cress of tiie ruited Slates. Shortly after he re- 
ported the resolution from the .Judiciary Committee 
and on the 1 'Jill of Marcli following, sustained it 
by a speech in the House, considered one of his 
ablest and most effective efforts." Mr. Wilson ad- 
vocated, also, during this Congress, the emplo^-- 
nient of negro troo[)S. He had no prejudices to 
conquer in this direction and was anxious to accept 
the services of the blacks in defense of the Union. 
He was a zealous and eflicient worker in behalf of 
the repeal of the fugitive slave law, as of all other 
measures calculated to do away with the institution 
of slavery. Shortly after the assembling of the 
Thirty-ninth Congress, he reported, from the Ju- 
diciary Committee, a joint resolution proposing an 
amendment to the constitution to forever forbid 
the payment of any portion of the rebel debt. 
The resolution passeci the House and although it 
was not acted upon in the Senate, its substance 
was imbodied in the Fourteenth Constitutional 
Amendment." "Hatred of oppression, sympathy 
with the lowl}', is as firmly ingrafted into ^Ir. Wil- 
son's nature as it was in that of Lincoln or Gar- 
Oeld and springs as naturally as theirs from the 
rugged experiences of his early struggle with pov- 
erty and toil." 

On entering Congress in December. 1861, the 
first resolution offered in that body by Mr. AVilson 
was one to instruct the committee on military affairs 
to report an additional article of war, prohibiting 
the use ot the United States forces to return fugi- 
tive slaves. The first bill ever reported to Congress 
for the enfranchisement of the colored people of the 
District of Columbia was reported byhini. He re- 
reported and carried through the House a bill giving 
freedom to the wives and children of colored union 
soldiers. He reported and carried through the House 
the great Civil Rights Bill and fought earnestly, un- 
tiringly and successfully to engraft upon the con- 
stitution and to make alive and active in the 
Nation ".s statutes the principles of political and 
civil equality. In the second session of the Thir- 
ty-niutb Congress, when the question of the im- 



peachment of President .lohnson came up for 
consideration and was conliiuied in the Fortieth 
Congress, Mr. Wilson, as a member of the Judic- 
iary Committee, reported on behalf of the minority 
against im[)eachment and carried his proposi- 
tion through the House after a spirited deljate. 
When the subject came again before the House on 
new charges, Mr. Wilson was made one of the man- 
iigers ai)pointed by the House to carry the articles 
of impeachment that were found against the Presi- 
dent before the Senate, and to prosecute them there- 
in this instance, there was, in his judgment, no 
doubt about the power and duty of Congress. In 
his view a penal enactment of Congress had been 
violated, clearly, knowingly, intentionally and de- 
fiantly. Acting upon his convictions he gave to 
the prosecution of the case his most earnest and ac- 
tive efforts. 

On the 4lh of M.arch. 1809. when U. S. Grant 
was inaugurated President, James F. Wilson was 
serving his last day in Congress, and had de- 
termined to retire to private life. But on that day 
the now President sent for him and tendered him 
the first place in his cabinet, that of Secretary- of 
State. After consideration, becoming so important 
a proposition and of certain circumstances bearing 
on the subject of which it is not necessary here to 
speak, Mr. Wilson declined the appointment. Presi- 
dent Grant pressed him to accept one of two other 
cabinent positions but he declined to serve in either 
and returned to private life. 

One of the princii)al reasons given by Mr. Wil- 
son for refusing such an honorable appointment 
was that he wished to spend his time with his fam- 
ily from whom he had been so long separated 
while in the public service. Accordingly, in the 
spring of 18G9, he returned to his home in Fair- 
field and resumed the practice of his profession. 
Shortly afterwards he was appointed by Grant as 
one of the Government Directors of the Union Pa- 
cific Railroad Company and served eight years in 
that capacity. He enjoj'ed during the succeeding 
twelve years after leaving Congress, a large anil 
lucrative law practice and accunmlated a comfort- 
able fortune. Wliile refusing to accept public of- 
fice he took an active part in campaign wdrk ami 
was prominent and inUucnlial in the conventiona 



172 



PORTRAIT AND BIOORAPHICAL ALBUM. 



of his party. In lH.Sl,lie aiiiiouiieecl himself as 
a candidate for Inited Stales Senator, and in sup- 
port of iiis claims made one of the most remarkable 
canvasses known in tlie political history of the 
country. It was a novelty in Iowa politics, or of 
any other State, for a candidacy for the Senate to 
be, not a fiisilade between rival candidates, but a 
process of public education. Mr. Wilson delivered 
eight written addresses on subjects of deep inter- 
est to the people, on topics scientific, literary, theo- 
logical, historical and politic.T). Tlie character of 
these several addresses suggested thorough stud}', 
deep research and a broad and diversified knowledge 
that enlightened the people of Iowa as to the capa- 
bilities of the man, and won for him an election to 
the Senate of the United States without opposition. 
At the close of his term of office he was re-elected 
unanimously and is now serving his second term 
in the highest branch of the National Congress. To 
the liberality and [)ersonal efforts of Mr. Wilson, 
is largely due the perfection and importance of the 
Fairfield Public Library, the largest library of mis- 
cellanous works in the State and one which pos- 
sesses a museum of natural curiosities, Indian relics, 
Roman antiquities, etc. which is not equaled in 
variety or extent west of the Mississippi. The li- 
brary' contains one of the most complete set of pub- 
lic documents, including reports of Congressional 
proceedings from the Continental Congress to the 
present time. 

Mr. Wilson not onl}- contributed liberally in 
time and means to the cause, but through his influ- 
ence secured generous contributions from people 
outside of Iowa. lie has also taken an active in- 
terest in support of the cause of temperance, and 
the friends of reform in this direction in Iowa, 
have never had reason to doubt his sincerity, but 
have always been sure of his earnest co-operation. 
He is the author of the bill which recently passed 
the Senate and is known in common parlance ps the 
original package bill. He reported said bill from 
the judiciary committee of which he is a member 
and h.ad charge of its consideration in that bod}' 
and until its first passage. He is always to be found 
in the van of every movement of great public in- 
terest, which has the welfare of the people as its 
object. By the purity of his life, both iniblic and 



private; his splendid talents as a statesman and his 
industry and fidelity to every trust reposed in him. 
Mr. Wilson has won a place in the hearts of the 
people of which bis friends may well be proud. 



ETER DAHLBrRO. for the long period of 
forty-two years, has been a resident of Van 
Biiren County and is both widely and fav. 
orably known throughout the community. 
He is of Swedish birth, but Iowa has but few bet- 
ter citizens. He was born on the 7th of.Iune, 1802, 
and in his native land grow to manhood. At length, 
having attained to mature years, he was united 
in marriage with Miss Ingar Nelson who was also 
born in Sweden, the date of her birtii being De- 
cember 20, 1807. Having lived for some years after 
their marriage in Sweden, Mr. and lilrs. Dahl- 
burg, accompanied by their children, in 184") 
crossed the Atlantic to America with IIil- intention 
of making a permanent location on this side of the 
water. Landing on the shores of the New World 
they at once continued their journey until having 
arrived in Iowa, when they located in .leflferson 
County. After a short staj-, however, they re- 
moved to Keokuk, and the 3'ear 1848, witnessed 
their arrival in Van Buren County, where tliry 
have since made their home. 

A f.amily of ten children, eight of whom are liv- 
ing, were born to Mr. and Airs. Dalilburg. namely: 
Cecilia, wife of J. D. Irish, whose sketch appears 
elsewhere in this work; Elsie, wife of Peter Lc 
Gresley of Henry County, Iowa; Ellen,- widow of 
Frank Melz who was killed during the late war in 
the engagement at Ft. Donelson ; Joanna, widow 
of George N. Thomas: Robert N., who served as 
one of the boys in blue and is now engaged in car- 
pentering in Pittsburg; Charlotte, wife of Aaron 
Mort of Kansas; Amanda M., wife of James W. 
Pace of Knoxville, who also followed the flag dur- 
ing the Rebellion; and Charles L., a shorthand 
reporter of Des Moines. 

The parents of this I'amily are members of the 
Methodist Episcopal fJhurch and are highly re- 
spected citizens in the community where they have 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



173 



so long made their home. They have been witnes- 
ses of almost the entire growth and development 
of Van Biiren County, have seen the progress made, 
have aided in its advancement and have the honor 
of being numbered among the pioneer settlers. 

Mr. and Mrs. Dalilburg were married in Febru- 
ary, 1827, and have now lived together as man and 
wife for upwards of sixty-thiee years. 



E^ 




ON. WESLEY WALKER. The history of 
Van Buren Country would be incomplete 
should the sketch of Mr. Walker be omitted, 

gj/ for few have longer been residents of the 
community and none are more widel}- or favorably 
known. In tlie pursuit of his business he has aided 
immeasurably in the upbuilding of the county, and 
with a desire to promote the general welfare, though 
himself receiving no benefit, he has supported all 
«(jrtliy enteritises, and, with others, should receive 
the lasting gratitude of the citizens of the county 
for ages to come. We can hardi}' realize what is 
due the pioneers, yet we can cherish their mem- 
ory while we perpetuate their lives by written rec- 
ord. They were the founders of the county, and 
the work which they performed cannot be meas- 
ured by a common standard. 

AVesley Walker was born in York Count}', Pa., 
on the 11th of June. 1820, and is a son of Joseph 
and Lydia (Bell) Walker, who were also natives of 
the same county, the former born in 1787, the lat- 
ter in 1788. The grandfather of our subject, 
Abel Walker, was one of the early settlers of York 
County. He married Ann Vale, daughter of Capt. 
Robert V«le, who accompanied William I'enn on 
his second vo3-age to America. For valuable serv- 
ices rendered, William Penn presented him with 
one thousand acres of land in York County, where 
the Walkers also owned large possessions. Both 
families belonged to the Society of Friends, but 
Joseph Walker was dismissed from the church on 
account of having served in the War of 1812, the 
eect being strongly opposed to warfare. 

Our subject was one of nine children, all of 
whom grew to mature years — Joel, who settled in 



Keosauqua, in 1839, died in 1881 ; John is a car- 
riage-maker, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa; Josiah has 
been a resident of Van Burcn County since 1860; 
Wesley is the fourth in order of birth; Abel is still 
living in his native State; Eliza is the widow of 
Adam Freeze, of Springfield, Mass. ; Jane, widow 
of John P. Wolfe, died in Cumberland County, 
Pa., in 1872; Louisa, who resides in Nebraska, is 
the widow of John Pyles; Lucinda is the wife of 
John P. Shively, of Cumberland County, Pa. The 
parents of this family both died in York County, 
Pa. They were honest, upright people, members 
of the Methodist Church, and their consistent lives 
won them host of friends. 

Wesley Walker acquired his education i;i the 
subscription sciiools of the early day. and at the 
age of eighteen years began learning the carpen- 
ter's trade. Possessing a natund aptitude for me- 
chanics, he soon mastered the business and became 
a proficient workman. With a desire to benefit his 
financial condition and witli the hope of securin" 
for himself a comfortable home, he followed the 
course of human emigration, which was steadily 
drifting westward, and in the spring of 1839 landed 
in ^'an Burcn County, Iowa. On the 20tli of June 
he made a claim in Des Moines Township, but did 
not locate upon the land, as he believed it would 
be to his advantage to devote himself to carpen- 
tering. Yearly the number of emigrations increased 
and his labors were in constant demand. On the 
17th of June, 1846, he was- united in marri.age 
with Miss Rosa A. Robins, who was born in Leb- 
anon County, Pa., in 1827, and was a daughter of 
William Robins. Three years later, in March, 
1849, witli his father-in-law, he started for Cali- 
fornia. In Keokuk they were del.iyed nine daj-s 
on account of tlie river being frozen over. At the 
expiration of that time they boarded a steamer and 
sailed down the Mississippi to New Orleans and 
across the (iulf to Panama. On reaching the op- 
posite side of the Isthmus they embarked in a 
stcamer,''Capaka,''but ninel3'-three days had passed 
ere they reached Monterey, Cal., during that lime 
the sui)ply of provisions was exhausted, and they 
also suffered from thirst, only a pint of water being 
allowed each passenger per day. .Some iilca of the 
suffering will be obtained from the knowledge of 



17-1 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



the fact that Mr. Walker on starting out weighed 

one luindred and sixty-five pounds, but liis weigiit 
on reac'liing Monterc}', C.al., was only one hundred 
and twentv-fivc pounds. After some time spent 
in travel, and three months in which he engaged in 
mining, he made his way to Sacramento, where he 
followed tiie car|)entir"s trade. He was in that 
city at tiie time of the great overflow, and suc- 
ceeded in saving the life of his father-in-law, who 
was sic]< at liie time. Tliej' made a claim on the site 
of the Capitol building and remained in California 
till the fall of 1850, when they returned bv tiie same 
route which they iiad before traveled. On reaching 
Van Baren County. Mr. Walker once more resumed 
carpentering, in whicli line of business he has since 
continued operations. Many of the important 
structures of the city and communit}'^ were erected 
liy hiiji or under his immediate supervision. He 
built the first frame hoiise in Ottumwa, which at 
the time consisted of two log cabins, and made the 
(irst coffin, in which was laid to rest Mar}' Ann 
Hall, the first buried at tiiat place. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Walker were born five chil- 
dren, yet living — Mary, wife of John McPherron, 
of Northville, Spink County, IS. D.; Willie, who 
is a miller of Keokuk County, Iowa; Flora, wife 
of Kd Peterson, who also makes his home in North- 
ville; Emma, wife of John Hank, of Chadron, Neb.; 
and Morris, who is a resident of Kansas City. The 
mother of this famil}' was called to her final rest 
on the 29th of August, 1873. She was a member 
of the Christian Church and a lady greatly be- 
loved for iier many excellencies of character._ On 
I lie 3d of June, 1886, Mr. Walker was again mar- 
ried, his second union being with Mrs. Sarah Mc- 
Nce, widow of William McNee. 

In political sentiment Mr. Walker is independ- 
ent, casting his l)allot for the man and not the 
p.irty. He was luniored liy his fellow-citizens wilh 
tiu^ office of Mayor, which he filled acceptably and 
wilh credit to himself and his constituents. How- 
ever, he has never sought political preferment as 
his business occupies his entire time and attention. 
Quietly and faithfully he performs the duties of 
citizenship, and by his upright life and honorable 
course wins the respect of all with whom he comes in 
contact. As a pioneer he has lived to witness the 



vast changes which have taken place, has partici- 
pated in the wondeiful growth and development, 
and has the honor of being known as one of the 
fathers of the county, where for more than half a 
century he has made his home. 



-m^ 



1— 1_) 



S? SAAC C. GILLF:TT, a pioneer of Fairfield, now 
I a resident of Sigourney, Keokuk County. 
ii Iowa, was born in Cattaraugus County, N. Y., 
January 19, 1825, and is a son of Samuel Gillett, 
who was born March 28, 171)9. In 1822 ho mar- 
ried and afterwards removed to Cattaraugus 
County, and thence, in 1837, to Iroquois Count}-, 
III. In .lanuarj', 1838, the family removed to 
Franklin County, Ohio, and in the sining of 1846 
came to Iowa, locating in Jefferson Count}', near 
Fairfield, on the farm now owned by W. E. Groff. 
The mother died August 16, 1846, and the father 
departed this life on the 18th of January, 1848. 

Isaac C. Gillett accompanied his parents in their 
migrations until they settled in Iowa. He was 
reared on a farm and was married near Birming- 
ham, ^■an Buren County, February 17, 1848, to 
Bliss Maria Groesbeck, a daughter of Peter and 
Mary Groesbeck. Mrs. Gillett was born in Wash- 
ington County, N. Y., June 1, 1827. Tlieir union 
was blessed with five children, three sons and two 
daughters, as follows: Mary, Ijorn November 22, 
1848, is now the wife of \V^illiam Gann of Sig- 
ourney, Iowa; Sarah M., born August 12, 1850, 
died in infancy; Orlando G.. born October 14, 
1853, died in infancy; Bert, born July 14, 1856, 
married Miss Virginia E. Ratcliff and is now a 
photographer of Fairfield; Edmund .M., born May 
11, 1858, is single and resitles in Fairfield. 

Mr. Gillett, the father of this family, is a wagon- 
maker by trade and carried on business in Birming- 
ham, Van Buren County, for several year*. In the 
fall of 1856 he moved to Monroe County, Iowa, 
where he engaged in farming with good success 
until 1859. He then returned to Birmingham and 
at that place made his home until 1873, when he 
removed to Sigourney, his present pl.ace of resi- 
dence. He is a Republican in politics and with 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



173 



his wife belongs to tlic Prest>yterian Cluircii. So- 
cially, Mr. Gillett is a lueinbei- of Sigouniey Lodge, 
■ No. 98, I. 0. O. F. and is higiily respected by all 
who know him. 



1'^ 




ENRY FRUSH, deceased, was born in Balli- 
raore County, Md., October 15, 1802, and 
died at bis lioine, in Jefferson County, on 
tlie 22d of August, 1874. He was a sub- 
stantial farmer, and was respected by all who knew 
him. The family to which he belonged was of 
German origin. When about eight years of age, 
his parents removed to Belmont County, Ohio, 
where he grew to manhood. In Wheeling, Ya., on 
the 6th of December, 1830, he wedded Miss Mary 
Shepherd, a native of Jefferson County, Ohio, born 
August 7, 1810, and a daughter of William and 
Catherine (Rip|)eth) Slic'|)herd. Her parents wei'e 
natives of Maryland and Pennsylvania respectivel}', 
and were married and lived for some time in Jef- 
ferson Count}', Ohio, after whicii tiu'y removed to 
Tuscarawas County. Mr. Sheplierd laid out the 
town of Leesville, built the first house in it, and 
made other improvements. The dwelling which 
he erected is still standing. He engaged in mer- 
chandising for a livelihood. About 1840 he re- 
moved with his family to ^'an Buren County, Iowa 
where his wife died at the age of fifty-two years, 
leaving eleven childien. Afterward he was again 
mairied and riMnoved to Appanoose County, Iowa, 
where his death occurred at the age of seventy- 
five years. By his last wife he had three children. 
Mrs. Frush is the third in order of birth in the 
family of eleven cliildron. Upon her marriage with 
our subject, the}- settled on a farm in Belmont 
County, Ohio, but later removed across the line 
into Monroe County, where the husband owned 
and improved a good farm. In 1850 they cast their 
lot with the early settlers of Jefferson Count}-, Iowa, 
at the same time purchasing three hundred acres of 
land two miles north of Fairfield, of which Mrs. 
Frush still owns one hundred and sixt}' acres. They 
lived in the city until a house of the pioneer style 
could be built on their land, and then removeil to 



their new home. Mr. Frush was a stirring an<l 
successful farmer, who accomplished whatever he 
undertook. Politically, he was a Whig in early 
life, and later was a Republican, but took no 
prominent part in political affairs. The Methodist 
Church of the community had no more zealous 
member, and that organization also finds in his 
wife an earnest worker. The final summons came 
to Mr. Frush on tiie 22d of August, 1874, and amid 
the sorrows and regrets of many friends, he was 
laid to rest. Though quiet and unassuming in man- 
ner, he was an honor to his calling and a blessing 
to the community in which he lived. 

Eleven children were born of the union of Mr. 
and Mrs. Frush, as follows: George \V., who served 
three years in the Union army during the late war, 
and died about three years after his discharge by 
disease contracted while in the service; William A., 
a legal practitioner of Kansas; Amanda M., widow 
of Joiinson Moore; Sarah A., at home; Martha J., 
wife of John W. (.^uillem, a wool bujer of Fair- 
field; Isabel, wife of John R. McElderry, of Fair- 
field; Mary, widow of John Tansej-, who died some 
years after his return from the late war; James, 
who served nine months in putting down the Re- 
bellion, and is now on a ranch in Montana; Louisa, 
wife of Eugene Freeman, a resident of Kansas; 
Caroline, wife of Burdett Spencer, of Peoria; 
John H., a farmer of this county. In addition to 
her own family. Mrs. Frush has reared two children 
— Angeline Ilampson, wife of Asbury Shepherd, 
l)rother of Mrs. Frush; and Martha J. Ilampson, 
wife of .lames C. Smith. 

Although she has attained the age of four-score 
years, Mrs. Frush is still vigorous and retains pos- 
session of her faculties to a remarkable degree. 
She has lived forty years in this county and is 
blessed with a good home, children and many 
friends. 



ILLIAM FRANK PLIMPHREY, deceased, 

' /l/ was an early settler of Jefferson County. 




)y'^' In the latter part of the eighteenth century, 
three brothers of that name, natives of England, 
braved the dangers of an ocean voyage and located 



176 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



*l 



in Virginia, where Ibey became wealthy citizens. 
Que of their nunil)er joined Harrison in liis Indian 
campaign, and anollier brother was tlie fatlier of 
our subject. He emigrated from Virginia to Knox 
County, Oliio, wliere in the midst of alieavily tim- 
bered region lie developed a line farm. His mother 
was a Cromwell and a relative of Oliver Cromwell, 
lie married Edith Wells and died when the subject 
of this sketch was seventeen years of age. 

Thus thrown on his own resources, William, in 
order to provide for his own maintenance, learned 
the carri.age-maker's trade, but after following that 
business a few j'ears, began the manufacture of 
windmills. About that time, in Alexandria, C)liio, 
on the IGtli of January*, 1851, lie wedded Miss 
Mary •!. Morgan, who was born at .St. Albans, 
Licking County, Ohio, Deceinl)er '22, 182.i, and 
is the daughter of Joseph anil Mary (Kinsloe, 
nee Suit) Morgan. Her grandfather, Joseph Mor- 
gan, a brother of Gen. Morgan, of Uevolutionar}' 
fame, emigrated to this country from .Scotland, 
his native land. Mrs. Pumphrey's father was born 
on the lOtii of February, 1781, near Trenton, N. 
,1.. and emigrated to Pennsylvania, where he mar- 
ried Mrs. Kinsloe. .Siie was born near Philndclpiiia, 
Va.. March 18, 1785, and was of Holland descent. 
From the Keystone .State they emigrated to Ohio, 
and settling in Licking County, made a farm in 
the heavy beech woods. He was one of the sub- 
stantial men of the connty, and was widely known 
throughout the region roundabout. At the time 
of his death he was seventy-Bvc 3'ears of age and 
his wife luad attained her eighty- first year when 
she -was called to her final rest. They were the par- 
ents of eight children, but only three of the num- 
ber are now living. 

Soon after his marriage, Mr. Pumphrey accom- 
panied !)>• his brother, went to Boyle County-, Ky., 
and during the succeeding eight 3'ears engaged in 
the manufacture of fanning mills in that State and 
Tennessee. He then continued the same enterprise 
in Danville and Duquoin, 111. In 1860, we find 
him in Iowa. Landing in Jefferson County on the 
4th of Ma}-, he made a purchase of a quarter sec- 
tion of land, the greater part of which is now 
comprised within the city limits of Fairfield. He 
also owned an additional seven hundred acres and 



in connection with the manufacture of fanning 
mills which he still continued, he carried on farm- 
ing. As will be seen he was ail energetic and en- 
terprising man and by the exercise of those charac- 
teristics combined with good business principles, he 
won for himself and family a comfortable compe- 
tence. 

The death of Mr. Puniplirey occurred on the 1 6th 
of September, 1883, and his loss was felt through- 
out the entire community. Li his political affilia- 
tions he was first a Whig and afterwards a Repub- 
lican and socialh' was a member of the Masonic 
fraternity. For many years he held membership 
with the Methodist Church, was an earnest laborer 
for its interests and gave liberallj' for its support 
and for the advancement of all other worthy inter- 
ests. 

Mrs. Pumphrey still survives her husband and 
also belongs to the Methodist Church. In tlicir 
family were four children — Ora B.,who was born 
in Kentucky, is the wi'e of Gideon B. Walters; 
Heniy P,, born in Ohio, is the next younger; Leon 
C, was born in Tennessee; an<l Rosa, is a native of 
Fairfield. Since the death of the father, Ilcnry 
and Leon have managed the business affairs. Like 
Mr. Puinplire\', they are industrious, energetic and 
successful in all their undertakings. They raise 
fruit, manufacture bee hives and deal in ice, and 
well deserve to be ranked among the representative 
and wide-awake business men of Jefferson Count}'. 
The Pumphrey family is ranked among the old set- 
tlers of the community and is well worthy a [ilace 
in a work preserving their lives and deeds. 




LFREl) L. CIIUMLY, a member of the 
firm of Cruinly Bros. & Co., millers of 
Pleasant Plain, is a native of Johnson 
(^ County, Mo., and a son of Isaac II. and 

Rebecca Crumly, who are mentioned elsewhere in 
this volume. He was born on the 21st of Sep- 
tember, 1846, and was brought by his parents to 
Iowa when a babe of two years. He received a 
good English education in the district and subscrip- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



177 



tiou schools, and in his youtii was inured to the 
hard labor of the farm, but thereby developed a 
self-reliance and spirit of determination which have 
been important factors in his success in after life. At 
the age of twenty-two, he bought a farm of fifty 
acres, which he operated for ten years, adding many 
vnluableUmproveraents, but in 1879, he sold out, 
removing to the village of Pleasant Plain. He then 
formed a partnership with his father as a member 
of the firm of I. H. Crumly & Son, lumber and 
grain dealers. The connection continued about 
two years, when he bought out his father's interest 
in the business which he has since controlled. A 
liberal patronage has rewarded his efforts, and he 
now has a large trade, selling from twelve to fif- 
teen car-loads of lumber ^)er year. On the 5th of 
April, 1887, he became a member of the firm of 
Crumly Bros. & Co., which was composed of 
the following named gentlemen: A. L. Crumly, 
C. J. Mayer, and W. A. Cruml}'. Later Isaac 
Crumly purchased the interest of Mr. Ma3'er, and 
the firm is now composed of the three Crumly 
gentlemen. Tliev are the owners of the fine Centen- 
nial iMill with a compielc mcflium roller process, 
the capacity of which is sixty-live barrels of flour 
per day. Mr. Crumly gives his personal super- 
vision to the mill, while his son superintends the 
lumber business. 

On llie 11th of February, 1870, in Pleasant Plain, 
Mr. Crumly was united in marriage with Mrs. 
Mary J. Hull, widow of Samuel Hull, by whom she 
h.id one oiiild. a daughter, Lottie M., who is now 
the wife of A. C. Crumly. By the union of our 
subject and his worthy wife, there was born a son, 
Kdward X., whose birth occurred Xovember 24, 
1870. He has received liberal educational advan- 
tages, was a student in the Pleasant Plain Acad- 
emy, and is a joung man of much promise. He 
has already (lisi)layed business ability of a superior 
order, and will doubtless in time become one of the 
leading citizens of the county. 

Mr. Crumly and his family are members of the 
Society of Friends, and are liberal supporters of 
tlie cause, and give freely toward the advancement 
of the work. In political sentiment, he is a stal- 
wart Republican, inflexible in his adherence to the 
party principles. Since casting his first vote for 



President Crant, he has never'failed to deposit a 
ballot f(M- the Republican candidate, ] He has often 
represented his township in theeounty conventions, 
and is an influential member in those assemblies, yet 
is not a politician in the sense of office seeking, car- 
ing nothing for the honors or emolument of public 
ollice. On the solicitation of friends, however, be 
accepted the position of Township Clerk, which he 
filled acceptably for four years. Mr. Crumly is a 
man well informed on all questions of general in- 
terest, whether political or otherwise, and is ac- 
counted one of the worthy and valued citizens'of 
the commuQity in which he makes his home. Asa 
business man he is far-sighted and sagacious, con- 
siders well before taking a step in any direction, 
and is the soul of honor in all his dealings. The 
greatest confidence is manifested by his patrons, 
who know him to be a man of sterling wortli, in- 
capable of low or little actions. His family occupies 
a high position in the social world, and their home 
is always open for the reception of their many 
friends who are numbered among the best citizens 
of Pleasant Plain and vicinity. 



*^>ii^^ 



'Jl'OSEPII P. ROBERTS, deceased, w.ss born in 
Wajne County. Intl., August 23, 1819, and 
his parents were among the early settlers of 



that Stale. At the early age of fifteen j'earg 
he began life for himself, following teaming be- 
tween Richmond and Cincinnati, and while thus 
engaged he formed the acquaintance of Miss Janet 
Young, with whom he was united in marriage in 
Butler County, Ohio, on the 4tli of September. 1851. 
That was lier native county, her birth having oc- 
curred September 2, 18131. Her family had long 
been connected with the history of that commun- 
ity. Her paternal grandfather, James Young, in a 
very early day emigrated from Pennsylvania to 
Butler County, where he built the first house in the 
community and also the (irst mill. Her maternal 
grandfather was alst) one of the pioneer settlers of 
that region and her parents. Andrew P. and Rebecca 
(Kirkpatrick) Young, were born in Butler Count3'. 
Their entire lives they spent in their native State, 



178 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



and in the community where they made their home 
they were highly respected citizens. Mr. Young 
served as a Colonel in the ^Mexican War and was 
honored with the offices of Postmaster and Mayor 
of Collinsville. He took a prominent part in local 
politics, was an influential citizen in the community 
and had a wide acquaintance throughout the sur- 
rounding country. Ilis business was that of mer- 
chandising for many years but in his later life he 
followed farming. His generous impulses, his 
benevolence and liberal support of all that could 
benefit the community made him a valued citizen 
and won him the confidence and high regard of the 
entire communit}'. He was initiated into the high- 
est degree of Odd Fellowship, was a Whig and 
Republican in politics, and in his religious associa- 
tions was a follower of the doctrines advocated by 
the Seceder Presbyterian Church. His wife died 
on the 16th of February, 1851, and six j-ears later 
he married Mrs. Maria Hucheson, who is still liv- 
ing. His death occurred on the 12th of February, 
1884. 

Upon his marriage, Mr. Roberts took his bride 
to Richmond, Ind., where for three years thej' made 
tlieir home. The West, with its promises of rapid 
growth and development having attracted his at- 
tention, he determined to seek a location beyond 
the Mississippi and in the autumn of 1854 came to 
Fairfield for the purpose of bettering his financial 
condition. For some five years he engaged in 
teaming and then removed to a farm, but that sea- 
son crops were bad and he soon returned to the 
citj', where he devoted his attention to the livery 
business for three years, again returning to farm 
life; twelve years he was engaged in agricultural 
pursuits and as a stock dealer became widely known. 
He introduced into the county the first Poland- 
China hog and also the Scotch Clyde horses, antl 
did not a little for the advancement of the grade 
of stock in the community. Tn 1873 we again find 
him in Fairfield devoting his time and energies 
to the coal business, in connection with which he 
was also engaged in buj-iug and shipping stock. 
His death occurred on the 26lh of August, 1878, 
and was the occasion of much regret throughout 
the community, for the county had lost one of its 
best citizens, his neighbors a faithful friend and his 



wife a kind and devoted husband. He was a stir- 
ring and energetic business man who was ever 
ready to aid in the advancement of any enterprise 
calculated to benefit the community ,and in bis politi- 
cal affiliations he was a stanch supporter of Rei)ub- 
liean princi])les. During the Civil War he held the 
office of Deputy United States Marshal for the dis- 
trict. Mrs. Roberts, who still survives her husband, 
is a member of the Methodist Church and a most 
estimable lady. 

AMES F. CRAWFORD, a leading grocer of 
Fairfield, has been continuously engaged in 
his present line of business since 1862, cov 
eriug a period of twenty-eight consecutive 
j'ears. He is a Virginian by biith and is of Scotch 
and English descent. His father, Jameo Crawford, 
was a native of Westmoreland County, Pa., and 
married Margaret Fletcher, who was born in IJuller 
County of the same State. Their marriage, how- 
ever, was celebrated in Virginia, whither the}- had 
removed with their respective families in youth. 
By trade Mr. Crawford was a blacksmith and fol- 
lowed that business as a means of support until 
his death, which occurred, from cholera, in 1834, 
at which time three of his sons also died from the 
same disease. Some years later, in 1849, his widow 
removed with their family to Fairfield, Iowa, where 
she spent the remainder of her days, dying at the 
age of eighty-two years. 

Our subject was born in Brook County, Ya, now 
West Virginia, on the 28th of June. 1833, and spent 
his boyhood days in his native State. When a 
youth of seventeen years he started for the West, 
whither his mother had preceded him, ai.,1 juurne}'- 
ing by l)oat at length reached the Iowa shore and 
proceeded on his way to Fairfield. Arrived at his 
destination, he entered the employ of his brother- 
in-law, Joel E. Campbell, with whom he remained 
as general salesman for six years. At the expira- 
tion of that time, forming a partnership with G. M. 
Chilcctt, he bought out his employer. Three 
montlis later the stock was divided, Mr. Chilcolt 
taking it to Nebraska, where he traded it for real 



.'aS^^'tv^v 





> -^ I 




?^/ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPniCAJ> AIJ5UM. 



!«1 



estate, but the propertj- proved of little value and 
caused a fall of the house in the fiiianeial erasli of 
1857. Mr. Crawford iratlicrcd what he could from 
the ruins and once more einharked in busines.s, his 
location being Salina, Iowa. One year later he jigain 
traded for real estate, and on his return from the 
\\isl secured a position as salesman with Daniel 
Young, a dri'-goods merchant. When the war 
broke out he enlisted in Company K, Second Iowa 
Infantry, but when llie regiment was mustered in 
he w.as rejected. Soon afterwards he received an 
appoinlnient from I'l'esident Lincoln as Postmaster 
of Fairlield, and held the position during a [)ortiou 
of Johnson's administration, his term covering a 
period of six years. In the meantime, in 180"2, in 
'ompany with David Acheson, he enibarketi in tlic 
grocery business, which he has coniiiuieil up to the 
present time with fair success. About 1HG3 he en- 
listed in the Fort^-lifth Iowa Infantry (one hundred 
day men ) and served until the expiration of his term. 
His partner, David Acheson, carrietl on the gro- 
cery business in his absence, but after his return 
from tile war the connection was discontinued, Mr. 
Crawford having since been alone in bu.siness. 

In Fairfield, Iowa, in the month of May, 1807, 
.Mr. Crawford led to the marriage altar Miss Char- 
lotte A. Shaffer, daughter of William Shaffer, and 
a native of Zanesville. Ohio. Unto them has been 
born one child, a daughter, Margaret, who is now 
the wife of Harry W. Glides, of Fairfield. Mrs. 
Crawford is a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. In political sentiment Mr. Crawford is a 
stanch Hepublican, having supported that part}' since 
its (irganizalion. In addition to the ollice of Post- 
master he has served in various official positions, 
was nine terms City Treasurer, was also Alderman 
several times and Township Trustee. Socially, he 
is a member of the Legion of Honor, the Red 
Cross and the Odd Fellows fraternity. 

In his business ventures Mr. Crawford has been 
quite successful, notwithstanding he has met with 
several drawbacks. In 1883 his store building and 
resilience were destroyed by tire and the insurance 
being small he lost heavily, about |!3, 500. With 
characteristic energy, however, he rebuilt and w.as 
fast gaining his old [losition, when he had the mis- 
fortune to lose 12, 0(10 in a.bank fadure. Industry, 



enterprise and determination, however, have over- 
come these obytacles, ami his business is now in a 
flourishing condition, his annual sales amounting 
to ffom $30,000 to $40,000. He is regarded as ono 
of the leading business men of Fairlield, is genial 
and courteous in disposition .'ind wins hosts of 
friends. 

ON. HENRY PLAKK MITCHKLL,a widely 
I known and highly respected pioneer of Jef- 
■^ ferson County, ivliose residence here covers 
half a cculury, is a native of New Hamp- 
shire. He was born in the t<jwn of Claremont, Sulli- 
van County, on tlie5tli of .luly, 1818, and is a son of 
William and Dolly Mitchell. His father was born 
in Boston, Mass., in 17G8, of iMiglish i)arentage, 
and in carl}- life became a farmer amidst the rug- 
ged hills of the old Granite State. Henry B. was 
reared on a farm, and in the district schools of 
the neighborhood acquired his education. He was 
trained from his youth to habits of industry and 
frugality, and learned at an early day to cultivate 
a spirit of independence aiul self-reliance that has 
characterized his more mature ^-ears. At the age 
of fourteen he lost his father, and from that time 
was obliged to make his vvay in the world unaided. 
He worked awhile in a paper mill until he had ob- 
tained a fair knowledge of that trade, and when he 
had reached his majority, set out for the West. 
Not being blessed with any great amount of wealth, 
he traveled as economically as possible. He made 
the lirst stage of his journey from his home in New 
Hampshire to Troy, N. Y. on a wagon, thence 
to Buffalo by canal, and by boat from Buffalo to 
Cleveland, where he again traveled by canal to 
Portsmouth, and down the Ohio and up the Missis- 
sii)pi Rivers by boat to the Iowa Territory-, loca- 
ting in Keokuk. He at once joined his brother 
Thomas, who had made a claim at a point two and 
a half miles west of the city of Fairfield, .Icfferson 
County, his settlement dating from November I, 
1840. They erected a frame house on their claim, 
the first west of F'airlichl. The limbers, including 
rafters, were all cut and hewed from native trees, 
and tiie clapboards were si>lit from tlie same ma- 



182 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



tcrial. In 1»14, on tlie Hlli of Fchruarv. tlic broth- 
ers selected a site on Camp Cieck for a tavern, wliere 
they erected three houses, two being block houses, 
and the other a loi^ cabin. On tiie completion of 
the buildings, the}' opened a tavern which was 
known as the Mitchell, and iK^came a famous half 
way stopping place on the ronle between the bonnd- 
ary line of the "Indian land" und Ft. Des Moines, 
and was on the direct road between Des Moines, 
Keokuk and Iowa City. Mr. Mitchell ctjntinued 
with his brother two years and nine months, and 
liien returned to the old claim in Fairfield, which 
they had entered, and which he still owns, having 
made his home thereon until March. IS'JO, when he 
removed to tiie city. 

On the 26th of October 1847. at what is now 
known as Tool's Point, Jasper Count}-, Iowa. Mr. 
Mitchell was joined in wedlock with Miss Marie E., 
daui;liter of Adam Tool. Mrs. Mitchell was born 
in Washington Country, A'a., now AV'est \'irgina, 
and came to Iowa with her parents in 1842. Thej- 
had spent a few years in Illinois on their waj' West 
from Virginia, and were early pioneers of Jasper 
County, this State. Tool's Point was named in 
honor of her father. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell have 
nine children living, and have lost one — Susan 
DoUa, the eldest, was born September 4, 1848, and 
is the wife of L. L. Wilkins, of Fairfield; Eflie I., 
who was born Jul}' 20, 1850, is now the wife of 
Dorr J. Dixon, of Olmsted County, Minn.; John 
I), was born February 26, 1853, is unmarried, and 
resides with his parents in Fairfield ; Helen E., born 
May 22, 1858, is the wife of I). W. Ingram, of Os- 
ceola, Iowa; Marietta and Henrietta, twins, who 
were born August 11, 1860, became the wives of 
F. M. Albaugh, of New Cumberland, Tuscarawas 
County, Ohio, and U. B. Rogers, of Fairfield, Iowa, 
respectively; Cora Adeline, who was born April 5, 
1863, married Charles II. Corbett, of Fairfield 
Township; Carrie T. was born March 17, 1866; 
Thomas A., September 12, 1870. William H., who 
was born October 17. 1864. died at the age of ten 
years. 

In politics, ftlr. Mitchell was a. W^hig in early 
life, and in 1852, was elected by that party to the 
House of Representatives of Iowa, becoming a 
moniber of the Fourth Geneial Assembly'. Since 



the organization of the Ucpidilican party, he has 
been identified with that Imdy. and is numbered 
among its active and iiilhunti;d supporters. For 
nine years he has been a inc'r.iber of the Jefferson 
Count}- Board of Supervisors, and with the excep- 
tion of one 3'ear has been Chairman of that body. 
He was also President of the Board of Directors of 
FairfieUl Township school district, for seventeen 
years. During his term of service as Chairman of 
the County Board, he had the supervision of the 
construction of one hundred and forty five bridges 
for the county. In 1886, Mr. Mitchell was again 
elected to the Legislature, when he was forcibly re- 
minded of the progress his State had made in the 
period of thirty-six years that had ela|)sed since he 
was first a member of tiie House. The magnificent 
Capitol building and the large representation; the 
difference in style of dress and the manner of the 
members, made a striking contrast to the humble 
quarters in Iowa City, where the young State gov- 
ernment first met, and where the modest but cool- 
headed pioneer and backwoodsman for the first time 
jjerhaps, found himself bearing the responsibility 
of a law-maker. 

Mr. IMitchell assisted in organizing the Jefferson 
County Agricultur.al Society, and was its President 
for fifteen years. He was one of the founders of 
the Stale Agricultural Society' at Fairfield, where 
the exhibitions were held the first two ^ears. He 
and his family attend the Episcopal Church, but 
he has alw.ays been a liberal contributor to various 
other denominations. All matters of public inter- 
est pertaining to Fairfield or Jefferson County, 
have received his attention and been benefited 
thereby. He has always been ])rompt to act, and 
liberal in his support of all deserving enter[)rises. 
He is possessed of good executive ability and sound 
judgment, and his services in public capacities have 
been sought and appreciated by his fellow-citizens. 
His strict integrity and fidelity to everj' trust re- 
posed in him have won for him the utmost confi- 
dence and respect of all, regardless of party ties. 
While a resident of the city, Mr. Mitchell still owns 
his fine farm of two hundred and ninety-five .acres, 
one of the best improved and most valuable tracts 
of land in Jefferson Count}'. His brother Thomas, 
of whom former mention has been made, is still liv- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



185 



iiig near the old tavern stand of pioneer times, but 
in the midst of a thriving little city that bears iiis 
name, or the name of IMitcIiellvilie. He is looked 
ii|) to with great veneration as tlie leading spirit 
a\nong the old settlers of Polk County, where lie 
has resided nearlj- half a {■fntur3'. 

fOSEPII DRAKES, deceased, who for some 
years was numbered among the respected 
citizens of Xan IJuren County', was born in 
Lincolnshire, England, March 15, 1809, and 
died at his home in Ilarrisburg Township, on the 
5th of March, 1881. His parents, Thomas and 
Mary (Hill) Drakes, were also natives of England, 
and unto them was born a family of nine chil- 
dren, of whom he was fifth in order of birth. His 
father engaged in agricultural |)ursuils, and in con- 
sequence the days of his boyhood and youth were 
spent upon the farm, where he became acquainted 
with the business in all its details. He acquired a 
common -school education and remained at home 
until attaining his majority, when he resolved to 
seek his fortune in the land across the waters. In 
a blow-going sailship in 1830, he embarked for the 
New AVorld, and after a voj'ago of several weeks 
arrived at his destination. Eor four years he was 
ill the employ of Harry Livingston as private 
coachman, and for a number of years served in the 
same cai)acity for the illustrious Daniel Webster, 
one of America's great statesmen. 

In 1841, while in Pennsylvania, Mr. Drakes was 
united in the holy bonds of matrimony wiih Miss 
.liine Nixon, and located in the western part of the 
State, where he drove a stage coach belonging to 
the Good Intent stage line until the auUinin of 
1848. Hearing favorable reports from Iho new 
State of Iowa, and the excellent opportunities and 
advantages afforded its new settlers, he then de- 
termined to make his home in that far western re- 
gion.and accompanied by his wife, at length reached 
Van IJuren County. They settled on a farm, which 
is still occupied by Mrs. Drakes, and purchased 
eighty .acres of wild l:ind, which has since been 
transformed into a most comfortable home. Year 



I by year saw improvements added, the work of cul- 
tivation carried forward and industry and enter- 
prise changing the once unfruitful regions into 
fields of rich fertility, which paid a golden tribute 
to the care and cultivation of the owner. Mr. 
Drakes lived to see much of the growth and devel- 
opment of the county. He was a valued citizen, 
and one that took an active interest in all that per- 
tained to the welfare of the community. As before 
stated, he died on the 5th of March, 1881, respected 
by all who knew him. He was an active Repub- 
lican in politics and served for many years as 
Justice of the Peace. He was reared in the faith 
of t.ic Church of P^nglanfl and adhered to its prin- 
ciples throughout life. 

Mrs. Drakes, who still survives her husband, was 
born in Fayette County, Pa., JIarcli 12, 1819, and 
is a daughter of Isaac and Sarah (Brian) Nixon. 
In a family of fourteen children, of which she is 
the eldest, eleven grew to mjuihood and womanhoods 
and eight of the number still abide, namely': Mrs. 
Drakes; Nancy, wife of J. A. Jones, of O,sceola, 
Clark CouQty, Iowa; Maria L., widow of William 
Spaw, of Wayne County, Iowa; Mrs. Juliet Israel, 
deceased; Mary, now Jlrs. Henry Keck, of Harris- 
burg Townsiiip; Eliza A., wife of Cary Stevens, 
who makes his home in Adams C'ountw Iowa; 
Saiiili, wife of E. B. Campbell, a resident farmer 
of Cedar Township, ^'an Bureu County; Clarinda, 
who wedded A. J. Jacobs, of the same township; 
Ella T., wife of J. W. Ellerton. of Aurora, Neb.; 
Phfcbe A., deceased wife of R. B. Junk; Joseph C, 
who was a member of Company C, Eighth Iowa 
Cavalry, and was killed at the battle of Frank- 
lin, Teiin. 

The union of Mr. and filrs. Drakes was never 
blessed with children of their own, but they reared 
as an own son Leroy Junk, son of George A. 
Junk, who VT.'is a brother-in-law of Mrs. Dr;:kf.", an<l 
died in Anderson ville Prisfin, September 13, 1864. 
having been caiilurcd while on the Stoneman raid 
through Georgia. Leroy grew up on the farm, 
surrounded by the loving care and attention of 
Mr. and Mr.«. Drakes, and in Octolier, 188.3. wns 
united in marriage with Miss Florence, danghter of 
Daniel and Lavina (Warner) I'.ocrstler. of Uiis 
county. After spending three or four \ears in 



184 



PORTRAIT AND BlOUKArHICAL ALIU'M. 



Nebraska, Ihej- letunieri to Van Buren County, 
and Leroy has now taken cliarjifc of the homestead 
farm of iMrs. Drakes, and will in fiitiiii' here re- 
si(le. Unto tlie young couple have been horn three 
children — (Jeorge A.. Edith and Ethel. 




i^HOMAS S. TILSON, deceased, was for some 
years a successful business man of Fairfield, 
and as one of its representative citizens we 
are pleased to record this sketch. The family is of 
English origin. The parents of our subject, Joseph 
and Elizabeth (Dilkes) Tilson. were both natives 
of Leicestershire, England, where they were mar- 
ried. Seven children were born unto Iheni in that 
country, and after their emigration to America, 
which occurred in 1842, the family circle was in- 
creased by the birth of five children. On their 
arrival in this country, Mr. and Mrs. Tilsori made 
a location in New Jersey and during their five 
years' residence in that State our subject was born, 
he first opening his eyes to the light of day in 
Newark on the 26th of Ajiril, 1846. The following 
year witnessed the removal of the family to Ohio, 
and in 1854, we find them located in Fairfield, Iowa, 
where Mr. Tilson engaged in blacksmilhing. His 
wife died in the sixty-first year of her age, after 
which he seemed to become' possessed of a spirit of 
unrest and spent much or his time in traveling, 
crossing the ocean between England and the United 
States eight times. His death occurred in his na- 
tive land at the age of seventy -seven years. 

In his father's shop, Thomas S. Tilson learned the 
blacksmith's trade, which he followed for some 
j^ears. It was his desire to enter the service of his 
country immediately after the breaking out of the 
late war, but he was restrained from doing so by 
his father. However, on the 21st of September, 
1863, feeling that the need of his country was 
greater than his father's restraining powers, he ran 
away from home and enlisted in Company I, of the 
Ninth Iowa Cavalry, serving almost three years as 
a blacksmith. From hard work and exi)Osure he 
contracted disease from which he never recovered, 
but he had the consciousness of knowing he had done 



what he believed to be his duty and that he had 
served his country faithfully and well. He received 
his discharge on the 15lh of March, 1866, in Little 
Kock, Ark. 

On being mustered out, .Mr. Tilson at once re- 
turned to his home and on the 2d of October he led 
to the marriage altar Miss Maria Young, daughter 
of Andrew P. and Rebecca (Kirkpatrick) Young. 
Mrs. Tilson was born in IJutler County, Ohio, June 
27, 1846, and came to Jefferson County when about 
fourteen years of age. I'pon his marriage, Mr. 
Tilson -settled in Fairfield and a few years later 
formed a partnership with L. L. Wilkins in the liv- 
ery business. This connection, which originated 
in 1872, continued unbroken until the death of Mr. 
Tilson on the .5111 of February, 1887. The firm 
gained great popularity, was noted for its prompt- 
ness and correctness in filling all orders and for the 
genial and courteous treatment of its patrons. Mr. 
Tilson was an acknowledged business man of merit 
and an esteemed citizen. In politics he was a sup- 
porter of the Republican party and felt a deep in- 
terest in its success and welfare. To the church and 
other benevolent interests he was a liberal contrib- 
utor, and his loss was felt in many ways through- 
out the county. 

The family of Mr. Tilson consists of wife and 
three children: Harry G., who is associated with 
J. E. Wilkins in the livery business; Hattie G.,wife 
of Albert C. Jones, a druggist of Fairfield, and 
Nettie E., who is with her mother. Mrs. Tilson still 
makes her home in Fairfield and is an active mem- 
ber of the Methodist Church. 



♦^M^ 



AMES EDWARD WILKINS, who is en- 
gaged in the livery business in Fairfield, Jef- 
ferson County, was born in Sussex County, 
Del., September 1.5, 1829, and is a son of 
one of the heroes of the War of 1812. His father, 
Elijah Wilkins, was also a native of Delaware, 
learned tlie blacksmith's trade in his youth, and fol- 
lowed that occupation the greater part of his life. 
He wedded Miss Mary Lock wood, who was also a 
native of Delaware, and the daughter of a Revolu- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



185 



tionar}' soldier. Tliey reinovud to Katun, I'reblc 
County, Ohio, iihoiit It^.'iO, .inil utter nineteen years' 
residence in tlie liuekeye State, in \Siui, made tlieir 
way to Keokuk, Iowa. IJotii are now deceased. 
The father died at the age of sixty-tive jears, but 
his wife reaelied tlie advanced age of eiglity-one 
years. Tlieir remains now lie buried in the ceme- 
tery of Sandusky, Lee County-, Iowa. Both were 
raeuibers of the Methodist Cliurcli, and led earnest, 
consistent. Christian lis'es. Mr. Wilkins cast his 
ballot with tlie Whig parly. 

The subject of this sketch was the tiflh in a fam- 
ilv of eight children, who lived to mature 3'ears, 
and of whom four yet abide. When only eight 
years of age lie entered his father's shop, being then 
so small that in order to strike the anvil, lie had to 
stand upon a box. His family were in limited cir- 
cumstances, and in consequence lie received no edu- 
cational privileges, never having been permitted to 
attend school more than four months. He may 
truly be called a self-made man, for at the age of 
thirteen years he began to make his own way in the 
world, depending upon his own resources for a 
livelihood. He engaged in freighting between 
Cincinnati, Hichniond, Ind., and Dayton, OlJio, 
driving a six-horse team for 18 per month. This 
he continued for some eight years, when he turned 
his attention to other pursuits. 

In Butler County, Ohio. March 10, 1853. Mr. 
Wilkins was united in marriage with Barbara E. 
Young, who was born in the county, where their 
union was celebrated. He then engaged in farming 
for a time, and in 1854 he bade good- by to Lis 
old home, and emigrateil to Fairfield. Some time 
later, he purchased a farm, to the cultivation of 
which he devoted his time and attention until Au- 
gust, 18G1, when feeling that his country needed 
his services, he responded to the call for troops, and 
donned the blue, becoming a member of Company 
F, Third Iowa Cavalry. He was detailed as wagon- 
master, and served in that capacity for three ^-ears, 
after which he spent eleven months in charge of a 
provision train which supplied the forces of "Wil- 
son on his raid from (Irand Springs, Ala. to At- 
lanta, Ga. 

On receiving his discharge from the service, Mr. 
Wilkins returned home and once more resumed 



farming, which he continued until ISSI, whon he 
came to Fairfield. The succeeding five years he 
spent in the livery, and then devoted two years 
to the ice business, after which he resumed opera- 
lions in the former line. When embarking upon 
that pursuit he was associated with his brother, 
L. L. Wilkins, but is now a partner of T. S. Tilson. 
Mr. Wilkins is one of the most ex()crienced horse- 
men in the county, and since thirteen years of age, 
in freighting as wagon-master, in farming, and as 
liveryman, he has been constantly handling that 
noble animal. All that he has is the result of his 
own efforts, and his possessions comprise a good 
farm and his stable with its horses and attachments. 
Mr. Wilkins supports the principles of the Ke|)ub- 
lican party, and for two years served as Alderman 
of Fairfield. 

Five children have been born lo Mr. and Mrs. 
Wilkins as follows : Alonzo E., who is associated 
with his father in the livery business; lidwin A., a 
railroad employe; William L., who is a traveling 
salesman for the Buckeye Company; Ada M.,wife 
of Lee R. Van Patton; and Kittie, who is still with 
her parents. 



',Tp\;ERT OILLETT, the leading photographer 
■,0^.^ of Fairfield, and one of its wide-awake and 
enterprising young citizens, has spent the 
greater part of his life in this .State. He 
was born in Birmingham, Van Buren County, Iowa, 
on the 14th of Julj', 185C, and is a son of Isaac C. 
and Maria (Groesbeck) Gillett, who were early 
settlers of Van Buren County, and are now living 
in Keokuk County. 

The early life of our subject passed uneventfully-, 
unmarked by any event of special importance. His 
|)rimary education, acquired in the public schools, 
was supplemented b}' a couise in the academy of 
Birmingham and in 1873, he accompanied his par- 
ents to .Sigourney, Iowa, where he learned the busi- 
ness in which he is at present engaged. He opened 
a gallery in Xickerson, Kan., in 1882, and after- 
ward engaged in the same pursuit in Emporia and 
Clay Center, of the same State. Three years have 
passed since he located in Fairfield and in that lime 



186 



PORTRAIT AND lUOGRAPIIlCAL ALBUM. 



he has succeeded in secui'ing a lil)Pial patronage 
such as is deserved by his merit and ability. Ills 
studio is situated in tiic new brick buihling just 
erected by F. W. Junken, at the southwest corner of 
the square and contains all the appurtenances and 
improvements known to that l)ranch of business. 

The marriage of Mr. Glllett w.as celebrated in 
Fairfield on Christmas D.ay of 1878, Miss Virginia 
E. Ratclilf becoming his wife. The lady is a na- 
tive of tiie city which she now makes her home 
and is a daughter of R. F. Ratcliff. Two interest- 
ing children graced their union, a son and daughter, 
but the former, Robert Clyde, died at the age of 
ten years. The daughter is Bessie Maud. 

Mr. Glllett Is an Odil Fellow, belonging to 
Sigourney Lodge. No. i)S, I. O. O. F. and his wife 
holds niembership in the Presbyterian Church. He 
has been in business in his present line for eight 
years and is an expert and popular artist. 



'OIIA' T. ELLYSON, one of the leading bus- 
iness men of Pleasant Plain, is now carrjing 
on a wagon and repair sho]) in that tliriving 
little village. He was born in Cass County, 
iMich., June 6, 1852, his parents being Zacharlali 
and Esther C. (Talbot) EUyson. His father was 
born in Virginia on tlie fitli of February, 1794. 
He volunteered for the War of 1812, but the com- 
pany in which he enlisted was not called out. He 
learned the trade of a mill-wright and mechanic 
an(i followed those pursuits during the greater part 
of his life. He was twice married. In ^'irglnla he 
w<»s joined In wedlock with Miss Nancy Talbert 
an<l with his young wife removed from that State 
to Ohio, where he resided until 1848, when he bo- 
came a resident of Michigan. After eleven years' 
residence In the latter .Slate, we find him located 
ia 1859 in Washington County, Iowa, and three 
years later he became a resident of Jefferson 
County, where he spent his remaining da3's, his 
death occurring in Pleasant Plain, December .3, 
1867. During tlie Civil War his i)atriotic impulses 
prompted him to offer liis services in defense of 
the Union, but on account of liis age he was re- 



jected. Whfen the Greybeard Regiment was being 
organized, he again tendered his services, when mucli 
to his disappointment lie was again rejected. 

By tlie first marriage of Zachariah Ellyson twelve 
ciiildren were born, ten of whom grew to maturity 
during the residence of the family in Ohio. The 
other two died in childliood. In Cass County, 
Mich., In 1850, Mr. Ell3-son was again married, his 
second union being with Miss Esther C. Talbot, 
daughter of John and Maiy (McClure) Talbot. 
Her mother was a daughter of William and Martha 
(Chaflln) MeClure, of Cirayson County, Va., where 
Mrs. Talbot died. The mother of our subject was 
born December 1, 1812, in Virginia, and her death 
occurred at Pleasant Plain. Jefferson County, Iowa, 
on the 28th of October, 1871. She was reared a 
member of the Society- of Friends, but early in life 
she joined the Methodist Church and continued a 
consistent member of tliat body until her death. 
By her marriage with Mr. F^Ilyson she became tlic 
mother of two children — John T.. whose name 
heads this sketch, and Lydia Ellen, born December 
7. 1854, who is now the wife of Frank L. Eck, a 
prosperous merchant of Pleasant Plain. Zachariah 
Ell3Son was reared in the faith of the Society of 
Friends but was expelled from the church on .ac- 
count of his marriage with one not of that belief. 
In his latter years he joined the Methotllst Church 
and remained, until his death, a faithful and con- 
sistent member, alive to the interests of the cause. 
From childhood lie was opposed to the institutii)ii 
of slaver}', did all in his power in opposition to 
the evil, and when the combination known as the 
Underground Railroad was formed, he opened his 
home as one of its stations. He joined the Repub- 
lican party on its organization and became one of 
Its stalwart supporters. 

John T. Ellyson, whose name heads this sketch, 
spent his early lioyhood days in Michigan, and 
after coming to Iowa obtained a coinmon-school 
education. At the .age of sixteen 3'ears he began 
life for himself, and has since m.ade his own way in 
the world. He learned the trade of wagon-making, 
and in tlie intervals of hard labor obtained his 
education b}- attending school for about three 
months each winter. In 1877, he embarked iu 
business for himself, opening a wagon an<l repair 



it 



PORTRAIT AND RIOGRArHICAL ALBUM. 



187 



shop in Pleasant Plain, where he has carried on 
operations eontiauousl\' since. He does general 
repairing, wngon-making and machine work, and 
also cuiidiu'ls an undertaking establislinient. He 
started in life a poor boj' with acasli capital of only 
*20O. i)ut he possessed industry and thrift, and tiic 
satisfaidory manner in which he performed his la- 
bors won the confidence of the public and secured 
a liberal pilronage. He is now numbered among 
the substantial citizens of the community and 
vroidd i)rove an addition of importance to any lo- 
cality in which he might choose to locate. 

On the ieth of October, 1881, Mr. KUyson was 
united in marriage with Miss Cora B. Smith, a 
daughter of Samuel and Margaret E. (Ream) Sniitii, 
who were pioneers of Van Buren County, where 
she was born, February 23, 1857. One child was 
born unto them but died in infancy. In political 
sentiment, Mr. Ellyson is a stanch Republican but 
is not a politician in the sense of office-seeking. 
However, he keeps himself well posted on political 
issues and on all other topics of general interest. 
Socially, he is a member of Pleasant Plain Lodge, 
No. 411, L O. O. F. Mrs. Ellyson is a member of 
the Congregational Church. 

^EORGE KLISE makes farming and stock- 
raising his life occupation, following those 
^^^j4l pnrsuitson section 8. Harrisburg Townshi|). 
Van Buren County, where he has a pleasant home, 
and all of the equipments and improvements neces- 
sary to a well-regulated farm of the nineteenth cen- 
tury. His father engaged in the same business 
before him. and like his son, was reputed to be a 
man of thrift and enterprise. 

George Klise is the youngest of a family of seven 
children liorn of the union of .John and Louisa 
(Ccion) Klise. His father was born and reared in 
Maryland, and on leaving his native State went to 
New York, where he formed the acquaintance of 
Miss Coon, whose hand he sought in marriage. His 
wooing being successful, thej' were joined in the 
holy bonds of wedlock, and. as before stated, be- 
came the parents of seven children. In the sum- 



mer of 1841 they came to the Territory of Iowa 
and in what is now \'an Buren County made a lo- 
cation, Mr. Klise purchasing and improving a 
farm of about two hundred acres, on which he lived 
until his death, in 18G1. His wife survived him 
several years, passing away in 1871. She was an 
active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church 
and lived a consistent Christian lifi'. 

The birth of our subject occurred on the 8th of 
August, 1842, on the old homestead of the family, 
where he was also reared to manhood. His early 
life passed uneventfully, but the year previous to 
his attaining to man's estate he responded to his 
country's callfor troops to put down the lebellion, 
enlisting, in August, 18G2, as a member of Com- 
pany I, Nineteenth Iowa Infantry, under the com- 
mand of Capt. S. Payne. He was mustered into 
service at Keokuk and assigned to the Thirteenth 
Army Corps, with which he participated in the 
liattle of Prairie Grove and the siege of Vicks- 
hurg.after which orders came to march South to New 
Orleans. While on a scouting expedition in Louisi- 
ana he was captured by the reljels at Sterling Farm, 
and for ten months was held jjrisoner, being incar- 
cerated at Tyler, Tex., and Shreveport, La., where 
he experienced all the hardships of the Southern 
prison. After almost a year of such life he was 
exchanged, and rejoined his regiment in time to 
participate in the capture of .Spanish Fort. Soon 
afterward the war w.as brought to a close and in 
Mobile. Ala., on the 28th of July. 18C,:>. he was 
honorably discharged. 

On the cessation of hostilities and the returti of 
peace Mr. Klise once more sought his home and 
resumed the occupation of farming on the old 
homestead. In October of the following year he 
married Miss Rachel Downard, whose parents. .Tolin 
an<l .Mary (Price) Downani, were early settlers of 
the county. Her father died in 18.j2. but her 
mother is still living. Nine children have been 
liorn unto Mr. and Mrs. Klise, as follows: Eda. 
wife of Harry L. Hooper; Carrie, Lydia, Laura, 
Stella, Charlie, Worthy, Newton and Grant, and all 
are at home, the family circle having never yet 
been broken by death. In his i)olilical atliliations 
Mr. Klise is a Republican, and manifests a deep in- 
terest in the success of his parly. He keeps him- 



18« 



PORTRAIT AND liJOt i UArillCAI. ALBUM. 



self well iiiformcfl on all t<ii)ics of general interest, 
wIk'Ukt pdlitical or otherwise, and is a valued citi- 
zen of the conimiinily. Socially, he is a member 
of Shriver Post, Xo. 177, G. A. R. of Vernon. 



^■lOBERT E. jELY, a representative farmer 
\:' and stock-raiser of Van Buren County, re- 
siding on section 8. Ilarrisburg Townshi]). 
is a native of West Virginia. He was born 
in Hampshire County, that State, on the 14lh of 
October, KS.",2, and is the eldest child of .lohn W. 
and Mary (Edwards) lOly, wlio were also natives 
of the same State. When he was four years of age 
his parents started for the West and made a loca- 
tion in Knox County. 111., where they remained for 
twelve years, when they came to Van Buren County, 
Iowa. Therefore, since his sixteenth year, Robert 
E. Ely has been a citizen of this communilj'. He 
received a good English education in the common 
schools and was also for two terms a student in the 
Mt. Pleasant I'niversity. On attaining to man's 
estate, lie began life f<jr himself, and lias since been 
entirely dependent upon his own resources. Eor a 
nnnibei' of years he devoted his time to the pro- 
fession of teaching during the winter season and 
to the occupation of farming througli the summer 
months. Thus alternating his time, he labored on 
until he had acquired sufficient capital to make an 
investment in farming lands. He now owns a half 
interest in a fine farm of one hundred and sixt}' 
acres, his father being his [lartner, wliich he has 
operated since the year 1875. He is a practical 
yet enteri)rising farmer, as a glance at the iiome- 
stead will attest, and is an adept at the raising 
of slock. In both branches t)f his business he is 
now meeting with good success, and in course of 
time will doubtless be ranked among the pros- 
perous and substantial farmers of Van Buren 
County. 

In 187.') Mr. Ely was united in marriage with 
Miss Belle Keck, of ^'an Buren Count}', daugh- 
ter of .1. A. Keck, a resident farmer of Cedar 
Township. The young couple began their domes- 



tic life on the farm which is still their liome and 
iheir union has been blest with an interesting 
family of three children, two sons and one daugh- 
ter, namel}': Harold, Raj-mond and Mary. The 
parents are widel}' known throughout the commu- 
nity in which they make their home, and have 
many warm friends among its best citizens. In 
politics Mr. Ely adheres to the Democratic party, 
having been a supporter of its principles since 
attaining his majorit}-. In 1880 he was nominated 
by that party for the office of Recorder of Van 
Buren County and (tolled a strong vote consider- 
ing the large Republican majority. He now holds 
the office of Township Clerk, and by the prompt 
and faithful discharge of his duties proves that 
he is a capable official. Both Mr. Ely and his 
wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, of I'lica, in which he holds the position 
of steward. 



I' SA-\C II. CRU.MLY, one of the most promi- 
nent citizens of .lefferson County, is engaged 
\ in farming on section 9, Penn Township. He 
was born in East Tennessee on December 21, 1820, 
and traces his ancestry l)ack to early Colonial days 
wlien his greatgrandfather, William Crumly, re- 
sided in Virginia. He was a large slaveholder of 
that .State and served his country in the Re\olu- 
tionary W^ar. His son William was a farmer and 
removed to Tennessee when that countrj* was first 
settled. His son Abraham was born in (Jreene 
County, Tenn., in 1787. His educational advan- 
tages were very limited, but by natuie he was en- 
dowed with considerable oratorical power and was 
also a fluent writer. He was one of five sons. His 
eldest brother Isaac, now deceased, was a circuit 
rider in the Jlelhodist Church and resided in Greene 
County, Iowa; Aaron died in Tennessee; William 
died in Missouri, and Samuel died in Arkansas. 

Abraham Crundj', who was the father of our 
suljject, remained at home assisting his father in 
farm labor until he had attained his majority. He 
married Miss Elizabeth Marshall, who was born on 
the 2Gth of June. 179G, and was a flauuhter of 



PORTRAIT AXD BIOGRAPHICAL ALBini. 



189 



Atir«in and Maillia Marshall. Mrs. Cniinly's death 
r)cciirrt'd on the 29lli of March, 1827. By her mar- 
liiififi' she became the iiiotiierof six children: Anna, 
wife of Phi.ieas Thompson, died in Missouri; Mary, 
widow of Thomas Jones, is living in Pleasant 
Plain; Isaac H. whose name heads this sketcii. is 
the third in order of birth; Samuel M. makes his 
liiime in Nebraska; Martha becanie the wife of 
Ohadiah .Tones, hut is now deceased ; Asa G. died in 
Mi.-souri. After the death of his first wife. Mr. 
Cruinly was ai,'ain married, his second union being 
with ,Inne JIcNeice. Six children were also born 
iinlothem — Arita and Klizabeth who are living in 
Tennessee; William who died in Jeflferson County, 
Iowa; James G., a resident of Missouri; A.aron who 
niiikes his home in Tennessee, and Rlioda who died 
in that State. 

The father of this family was reined in tlie f.iith 
of the Methodist Church but ere his marriage he 
joined the Societ}' of Priends to which his wife be- 
longed. He became one of its most faithful mem- 
bers and active workers and went as a companion 
to Isaac Hammer on his preaching tours. He la- 
bored in the church in the line of the ministry, was 
overseer of the congregation and did all in his 
power for the advancement of the cause and the 
lietteiing of huninnitj-. He entertained the strongest 
views in regard to the question of slavery, being an 
inflexible Abolitionist. He was an associate of 
Lundy, the original Abolitionist, and took a promi- 
nent part in agitating and discussing the question 
of slavery but never lived to see the curse banished 
from the land. lie died in Tennessee in 184G. 

Isaac H. Crural}', whose name heads this sketch, 
is inseparably connected with the history of Jeffer- 
son County. His life record is that of a self-made 
man and abounds in examples well worthy of imi- 
tiilion by the youth of the present day. His mother 
died when he was a lad of seven years and he then 
left home to make his own w.ay in the world. He 
worke<1 at farm labor during the summer months 
and when it was jjossible attending school during 
the winter season but his educational advantages 
were indeed very limited and at the age of twent}' 
he had only reached the single rule of three in 
arithmetic. After attaining his majorit}', he at- 
tended school in l5louul County, Tenn,, and stuilied 



surveying, which branch of learning be completed 
by private study after coming to Iowa and it has 
proved a useful knowledge to him. In 1841, he 
came West and entered land in Missouri, where he 
developed a farm and remained four years. Dur- 
ing that time, however, he returned to Tennessee 
and in 1844, was joined in wedlock with Miss Re- 
becca L. Hackney. Four years later, having sold 
his farm in Missouri, he came to Jefferson Count}', 
and made purchase of eighty acres of land upon 
which he still makes his home. A rude log cabin 
had been built thereon but other improvements 
there were none. He had to break the land, clear 
it of brush and perform the entire work of devel- 
opeinent and cultivation but the work of transfor- 
mation is certainly complete; at least, we would 
never recognize in the fine farm of today the 
original eighty acres of unimproved land upon 
which not a furrow had been turned. Its boundar- 
ies have also been extended until he is now owner 
of three hundred acres of arable land together with 
a number of lots in Pleasant Plain and an interest 
in the Centennial Mill of that place. A commodious 
and pleasant residence is surrounded by good barns 
and outbuildings which in turn are enclosed by 
waving fields of grain. The latest improved m.i- 
chinery lessens the labor attendant upon the culti- 
vation of a farm and good grades of stock are there 
found. 

The sun of 'prosperity shone upon Mr. Crumly 
and everything passed along pleasantly until the 
month of May, 18.')4, when he was called upon to 
mourn the loss of bis wife who died leaving four 
children, but only one of the numbernow survives, 
Alfred who is a miller of Pleasant Plain. Two 
died in childhood and Elizabeth T. who became 
the wife of Aaron Burgess is also deceased. On 
the 20th of June, 1859, Mr. Crumly married Miss 
Rachel Bcals, daughter of Thomas and Margaret 
Beals of Tennessee, who were also members of 
the Society of Friends. Her mother died in the 
State of her nativity but her father came to Iowa 
with his sons. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Crumly have 
lieen born seven children: Willinin A., born March 
14, 1860, is an engineer in the mill at Pleas:uit Plain; 
Wendell P., born February IH, 1862; Marian B. 
December 29. 1.^6:5; Einclini' C. Apiil 7, ISi'.t!; 



190 



POiri'RAIT AND BlOGIlAPlllCAL ALBUM. 



Harvey D.. Febiuaiy 2, 18(;)^: Kloia A.. Fchiiiai y 
6, 1870. uiid Isaac X., Apiil G, 1872. (i really 
ref^retlinjr the lack of educational ailvaiitages in 
liis early youth. Mr. Crumly decided that his 
children siiould not have to contend witii the 
same obstacle and provided tlxin willi lilicral op- 
portuniti'!.'. All have I)een students and two iiave 
graduated from the academy of Tleasant Plain, and 
Marian is now in attendance at the eollea;e of Os- 
kaloosji. 

Probably no man in the coutity has done more 
for the interests of its citizens than Isaac H. Crum- 
ly and certainly he deserves great credit for the 
efforts he has put forth in its behalf. lu an otiicial 
capacity his services have been effective. As before 
mentioned, he learned surveying and on coming 
to the county surveyed his own land, after which 
he became assistant of tiic County Surveyor. In 
1868, he was elected County Surveyor and held the 
oflBce for ten consecutive years. A period of four 
yenrs then elapsed after his retirement, when he 
was again elected and served two years. For one 
teim he was a member of tlie Board of County 
Supervisors (the second term after the Board was 
organized) and has also filled all the minor offices. 
Mr. Crumly was cnie of the early Abolitionists, and 
while living in Missouri freely declared his senti- 
menis unmindful of the threats which were made 
against him. lie voted for the Freesoil candidate 
wlicn onl}- sixteen votes were cast in the township 
in support of that party. On the formation of the 
Republican party he joined its ranks and has since 
been a stanch supporter of its principles. He is 
also a radical Prohibitionist and was instrumental 
in no little degree in the successful passage of the 
prohibitorjr amendment. Mr. Crumly has also 
ilono nuich to favor the cause of education and has 
|)ut more money into the academy of Ple.asant 
Plain than any other one man. In 1870, he bought 
thirty acres of land adjoining the then village of 
Pleasant Plain. lie took into partnership in this 
purchase Thomas Jones. They laid it out in park 
lots and deeded ten acres to the railroad company 
with the condition that said company should erect 
a depot thereon. Mr. Crumlj' subsequently bought 
out Jones' interest, and sub-divid(>d it into town 
lots, and it is now known as Crumly's addition 



to Pleasant Plain. In 187(;, with others, he formed 
a company which founded the Pleasant Plain 

' Academy and since its organization he has been one 
of its Directors and for several years was chairman 

t of the hoard. Any public enterprise which has 
for its object the upbuilding and advancement of 
the community is sure of his support. He and his 
family are all members of the Friends' Church, of 
whuli he h.as served as overseer. He is also a 
member of the Pe.aee Association and devotes stme 
of his means to the s[)read of its doctrine and hit 
wife is Superintendent of the peace work in Plens- 
ant Plain. Years may come and go but Isaac II. 
Cruinl}- will be remembered by the citizens of 
Jefferson County as one of her benefactors and 
founders. 



"^AMP^S 1). IRISH is numliercd among the 
early settlers of \an lUinii County, and is a 
respected citizen of Ke<isau(jua. Not only 
/ in this county, but in other counties he has 
lived the life of a pioneer and could we give a 
complete record of his career it would constitute a 
story of thrilling interest. He was born in Lick- 
ing County, Ohio, on the 10th of November, 182.'), 
and is a son of James M. Irish, whose ancestors 
emigrated from Holland to America during colon- 
ial days. His mother, whose maiden name was 
Elizabeth Dibble, was a native of Connecticut and 
the two young people with their respective families 
removed to Rensselear County, N. Y., where they 
became acquainted and were married. The year 
18IG witnessed their emigration to the wihis of 
Licking County, Ohio, where they resided for 
eleven years. Having a taste for |)ioneer |uusuits 
and being by nature abl3'^ Htted for the hardships 
of frontier life, IMr. Irish, in 1827, resumed his 
westward journej' and located in Madison County, 
in the Territory of Indiana. That region was 
then thought to be almost beyond tne borders of 
civilization. In fact, the Irish family was one of 
three lirst families to locate within the county, two 
other gentlemen by the names of Makepeace and 
Allen, with their wives and children, having set- 
tled in the community about the same time. Time 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



191 



passed oil iinil the county became more tliickly iii- 
lifihited but it was many years before tlie comforts 
anil Inxuiies of the East found their way to those 
far western liomes. Jlany iiardsliips and diflicid- 
lii's were endured, includinff tlio arduous tasi< of 
developing a farm from tlie hitherto unbroken land. 
Mr. Irish was a man of more than ordinary ability, 
and his labors in behalf of the upbuilding of the 
county should be remcinbered with gratitude by 
its residents of to-day. He aided not a little in its 
advancement and progress and was the foundei of 
several of its early enterprises, having built the 
(irst saw and grist mills and also erected and oper- 
, aled the first woolen mill in Madison Countj'. He 
was quite eccentric also. His bank consisted of 
liarrels of grain stored away in his chamber, in 
which he de|)osited his sur()lus cash. He would 
not loan money, preferring rather to give it away, 
yet lie was generous and open hearted and his pe- 
culiarities added rather a charm than a drawback 
to his character. His death occurred at the age of 
eighty- four years while he was visiting in Texas. 
His wife, who was reared a Missionary Baptist and 
was a sincere Christian lad}', died in Indiana in the 
eighty-third 3'ear of her age. 

A family consisting of thirteen children, nine of 
whom lived to be' adults, were born unto this 
worthy couple. Samuel, the eldest, died in Madi- 
son County, Ind.; Elizabeth, married Cromwell 
Wheeler and both are now deceased; Hannah be- 
came the wife of Alfred Makepeace, the marriage 
ceremony, the first in Madison County, Ind., being 
performed by Mr. Allen. before meiilioncd,who had 
been a .histice of the Peace in Ohio and claimed 
that his jurisdiction reached into the Territory of 
Indiana. Clarissa A., the nest younger, became 
the wife of Joseph 0. S . Hayward, of Richland 
County, Wis.; William Cdied in Madison County, 
Ind., at the age of twenty-eight years; C. W., is 
supposed to have been killed during the War of the 
Uebellion; Maria A., wedded (iarrett McAllister 
and both died in .Madison County, Ind.; James I)., 
whose name heads this sketch, is the next in order 
of birth; Alvira. is the wife of Capt. T. W. Rich- 
mond, a soldier of the late war now residing in 
Scotland, Mo. 

As will be seen, James D. Irish, is the only mem- 



ber of the family residing in \'an liuren County. 
His boyhood days were passed in Indiana amid the 
wild scenes of pioneer life and in the log .school- 
house with its puncheon (loor and slab seats he ac- 
quired his education. An aperture maile in the 
logs and covered with oiled paper served to let in 
the light and a huge fireplace occupied almost the 
entire end of the building. While the scholars 
were engaged in recitation or the preparation of 
their lessons, whicli, by the way, they studied 
aloud, the teacher would employ his hands in mak- 
ing split brooms or ax helves, while his brain was 
intent on the progress of his pupils and their con- 
duct. Mr. Irish remained at home assisting his 
father in the labors of the farm until twenty-four 
years of age when he was married and sought a 
home of his own. On the 18th of February, 18-19, 
he w.as joined in wedlock with .Miss Orlena J. An- 
trim, who w.as born in Champaign County, Ohio, 
August 7, 1830. Four children graced their union 
— Florence A., now the widow of George II. Brick- 
ley; Elizabeth M., widow of William L. Tyson; 
Alonzo W., of Oklahoma; and Samuel E., an at- 
torney at law of Keosauqua. 

In June, 185:3, Mr. Irish accompanied by his 
family came to Van Buren County, and after a 
short stay in Keosauqua, went to Milton, where he 
built the first mill in that township. The following 
year he sold out to Miller Bros., and in 1856, in 
company with Judge Mayiie. he erected a saw-mill 
four miles below Keosauqua but the same year sold 
his interest to his partner and returning to Milton, 
repurchased a half interest in the mill properly in 
that place. Early in 1859, his wife died and he 
again married, his [)resent wife, being Cecilia Dahl- 
burg, daughter of Peter and Ingar (Nelson) Dahl- 
burg, who were natives of Sweden. Many enter- 
prises have occupied the attention of Mr. Irish in 
\'an liuren County. In 1861, he removed to Keo- 
saiKjua where he embarked in the grocery business 
and in 1863 he siittled u|)Oii a farm, engaging in its 
cultivation for four years when he returned to the 
county seat, having made a contract to carry mall 
between that place and .Memphis, .Mo. Twelve 
years he spent in that manner, when in March, 
1876, he removed to his present home where he has 
since resided. By his second marriage there are 



l.')2 



PORTRAIT AM) BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



four children — Curtis F., a court reporter of Des 
Moines, Iowa; H. Walter, who is also a court re- 
porter and stands at the head of his profession in 
the Stale; J. Sherman, assistant book-keeper and 
stLMiugiapher for the Dcs Moines Buggy Company; 
and Charles T.,who is ein|)k)yed as a carriage trim- 
mer in l)es Moines. 

Mr. Irish is a Republican in politics and enter- 
tains strong prohibition sentiments. Both he and 
his wife are earnest workers in the cause of temper- 
ance and Mrs. Irish is a charter member of the 
AVomans Christian Temperance Union and was the 
first President of the county organization. She is 
interested in any form of temperance or social pur- 
ity work, together with all 'Ahcr branches of Chris- 
tian, philanthropic and reformatory measures. In 
liis social relations Mr. Irish is an Odd Fellow. 
iJuring the eailj' ilays of his manhood he became 
idcnlilied with that orginazation as a member of 
Pendleton Lodge, of Indiana, and since coming 
Wfst, he has held membership in Keosauqua Lodge, 
No. ;i, 1. (). (). V. His wife has been initiated into 
the Rebecca degree of that order and was honored 
will, ihe position of N. G. Bulh are members of 
.Methodist Episcopal Church and throughout the 
city and sunxmnding country where they have so 
lung made their home, they are known as upright 
and lionuriible people, worthy of the high regard of 
all with whom they come in contact. 

ROF. JOHN HENRY LANDES, County 
Superintendent of Schools of Van Buren 
County, and one of the leading residents 
of Keosauqua, was born in Putnam County-, 
Ind., on the 6th of October, 1850. His father, Ana- 
nias Landes, was a native of Virginia, born in 
Augusta in LS26. When a lad of twelre summers 
he emigrated with his parents to Indiana, the fam- 
ily locating in Putnam County, where he grew to 
manhood. His school training was in advance of 
that which most boys of his day received. He ac- 
quired a collegiate education and thus having fitted 
himself f(n- the duties of life he embarked upon a 
rnercantile career in Green Castle, continuing in 



# 



j that line of business with good success until 1860, 
when he decided to make his home in Iowa. He 
chose Davis County as the scene of his future la- 
bors and there spent several years and then re- 
moved to Clarke County', Iowa, where be passed 
the remainder of his daj's. In whatever community 
he resided he became a prominent citizen on ac- 
count of his worth and ability. He was a man well 
informed on all pulilic affairs and exerted an in- 
fluence in behalf of the best interests and wfirtliy 
enterprises of the county. In political sentiment, 
he was first a AVhig, later a Know Nothing ami on 
the organization of the Republican party joined its 
ranks, continuing a faithful adherent of its princi- 
l)les. until his death. 

In Putnam Count}', Ind., Ananias Landes was 
united inmarriivge with Miss Anker Boyd, a native 
of that State and a tiaughter of Robert Bo3'd. They 
became parents of six children, the eldest of whom 
is John II.; Margaret A. is the wife of O. C. Macy 
of Missouri; Albert Cary, a graduate of the Col- 

' lege of Physicians and Surgeons of Des Moines, 
Iowa, is now engaged in the practice of his profes- 
sion in Clarke County ; Robert S. is living in West- 
erville, Decatur County, Kan.; Augusta A. and 
Emma M. complete the family. The father died 
in Clarke County, Iowa, in 1878, and the mother 
departed this life in 1889. The}' were Presbyterians, 

i lived consistent Christian lives and died in the faith 
of that church. 

John Henry Landes is a self made man who by 
his own efforts has risen from a humble position to 
one of honor. Ineaily life he displ.ijed an aptitude 
for learning and soon mastered the branches taught 
in the common schools. He desired then to further 
continue his studies but his father being unable to 
grant his wish, he was thus thrown upon his own 
resources and working as a farm hand he obtained 
the money which defrayed his expenses while a 
student in the Tro}- Academy of Davis Count}'. 
He then engaged in teaching and performed any 
other honest labor tli.it might replenish his ex- 
hausted excheccpier and thereby enabled hira to pur- 
sue a course in the Iowa .State University. Industry 
and perseverance overcame the obstacles in his 
pith and accomplished that result. In 1878, after 
leaving the University, he received a call to the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALHUM. 



193 



high sclioo! of Keos;iuqua, of wliicli lie remained 
principal for nine j'ears. A shorl ijiiie eonviiiccrl 
the citizens of tliis coramnnity lliat lie was ca|)al)le 
of filling liis position and would faithfully dis- 
cliarjje his every tluty, which led to them relaiiiin"; 
liimin the position until he was called upon, in the 
autumn of 1887, to fill a v.acancy in the ofiiee of 
County Superintendent of Schools. The followinif 
autumn he was elected to that office on the liepul)- 
lican ticket and two years later was re-elected, still 
continuing in the office, the duties of which liedis- 
chaiires with credit to himself and to the satisfac- 
tion of his constituents. 

In 1879, a marri.aije ceremony was performed in 
Troy, Iowa, which united the destinies of Prof. 
Landes and Miss Callie Cunningham. The lad3- is 
a native of Davis County, and a daughter of 
Obadiah and Cynthia Cunningham. Three children 
have been born of their union, sons, Don Henrj', 
Carl C. and Gene. The Professor and his estimable 
wife hold a high position in the social world and 
have won the respect of all who known them. He 
is a member of Keosauqua Lodge, N'o. 23, 1. O. O. F. 
and in political sentiment is a Republican. Al- 
though he feelsan interest in political affairs, he h,as 
never been an office seeker, believing rather that the 
position should seek the man. It was thus in his 
case and the wisdom of the people in their choice 
has long since become evident. 



-^-j^^S®?^ 



^ 



'AMKS A. BECK, proprietor of the J>eggett 
House of FairneliL and of the Summit 
I House of Creston, Iowa, is a native of the 
' former city. He was born on the 6tli of 
April, 1849, his parents being William G. and 
Margaret (Ramsay) Beck, who were among the 
pioneer settlers of Jefferson County. His father 
was born in I'niontown, Fayette County, Pa., March 
9, 1819. and with his parents removed to Wheeling, 
W. Vfl.. in his youth. On the 4th of ftLarch, 1847, 
he married Miss Margaret, daughter of Alexander 
Ramsay of Wiishington County, Pa., and the liridal 
tour of the young couple consisted of a tiip to 



FairlicM, low.i, where they had determined to lo- 
cate. In 18jl, Mr. Ik'ck was employed as route 
agent for the Western Stage Com[)anj-, and in I8.V1, 
ong.aged in farming in Jefferson County. After 
two years spent in that line he sold out and removed 
with his family to Owen County, Ky., but three 
years later returned to Fairfield and resumed his 
former occupation, which he carried on successfully 
until .May, 1889. In that year he clianged his place 
of residence to Montana and is now engaged in 
rancliing near A'iiginia City, that State. 

Mr. and Mrs. I5ei-k are the parents of seven 
children, four sons and three daughters: James A., 
of this sketch, is the eldest; Willie died in child- 
hood; David R. married Mrs. Stcdmun, and resides 
in Virginia City, Mont.; Mollie died at the age of 
fourteen; Charles, who is single, resides in Omaha: 
Fannie is the wife of Alfred Welday, of Des 
Moines; Richard died at the age of eleven years, 
and Katie, wlio comijletes the family, was fourteen 
years of age at the time of her death. Mr. Beck, 
the father, is a Democrat, and stood firm in sup- 
port of his party during the dark days of its his- 
tory in Iowa. He and his wife are members of 
the Congregational Church and are highly re- 
spected in the community where they so Ion"- 
resided. 

James A. Beck was educated in the city schools 
and at the Fairfield University. ^\'hen seventeen 
years of age he began clerking in a grocery and in 
1870, when twenty one years old, began business 
for himself in the same line in Fairfield .as a 
partner of Thomas Bell, the gentlemen carrying 
on operations under the firm name of Bell & Beck. 
That connection continued two years, after which 
Mr. Beck carried on business alone until 1883. 
In August of that year he leased tlie Leggett 
House, of Fairfield, for ten years and has since 
conducted it with marked success. In May, 1889, 
he leased the .Summit House, of Creston, Iowa, 
the leading hotel of that city of ten thousand 
inhabitants, of which he personallj' supervises the 
management. The Summit House has ample room 
to accommodate one hundred guests and under 
Mr. Beck's management is becoming one of the 
most popular hotels in Iowa. The Leggett House, 
which is the only hotel of consequence in Fair- 



194 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



field, he manages through James Long and the 
house is a credit to both proprietor and man.aj;or. 

Mr. Beck was married in Fairfield, February 26, 
1880, to Miss Ktla McKesson, daughter of Robert 
McKesson. Tlie lady was born near Northfiuhl, 
Ohio, and is a member of the Presbyterian Church. 

In politics, Mr. Beck is a Democrat but has 
never been ambitious of oflic'al preferment. A\'illi 
the exception of four years, from 185G until 18G0, 
which lime he spent with his parents in Kentucky, 
he has always made his home in Fairfield and 
has ever been accounted one of its leading and 
enterprising citizens. In addition to the hotel 
business he is one of the proprietors of the bus 
line conducted under the business stjie of F. S. 
Ileck it Co., having been interested in the same 
since 1887. Mr. Beck is widely known as a suc- 
cessful and jiopular hotel keeper. Both the Summit 
and Leggett Houses are really without competition 
in their respective towns and unlike most men 
who have a monopoly in a certain line of business, 
he is just as careful to give satisfaction to his 
patrons and to use them fairlj', as though he was 
competing for tlieir custom. The result is that 
all are well pleased, and that the Leggett House 
and tiie Summit House have many warm friends 
among the traveling public. Mr. Beck is a genial, 
courteous gentleman and those who have known 
him from his bo3'hood, as well as his acquaintances 
of latei- years, speak of him in iiighest terms. 



-5^^- 



-♦ttp- 



\T?0NATHAN HARRIS, a farmer residing 
on section 7, Locust Grove Township, claims 
an honor of which , few men of his age can 
boast, that of being a native of .Jefferson 
County. He first opened his eyes to the light of 
day in 184.'), his parents being Reuben and Mary 
Harris. His f.ather is a native of Tennessee, be- 
came a resident of Hancock County, III., when a 
lad of some twelve summers and was tiiere married. 
The year 1843 witnessed the arrival of himself and 
family in Jefferson County, Iowa, and on section 7, 
Locust Grove Township, he look up his residence, 
there making his liome until 1881, when he re- 



moved to Batavia, where he and his wife are now 
living a retired life. He assisted in organizing the 
countj-, identified himself with its best interests, 
was prominently connected with its development 
and justly merits the title of an honored citizen 
and worth3' pioneer. In the family of Reuben and 
Mar3' Harris were eleven children. William R., 
the eldest, is married and lives in Ottumwa, Iowa; 
Miranda, now Mrs. Espj', is living in Seattle, 
Wash.; Jason is married and resides in Locust 
Grove Township; Serilda. now Mrs. Brown, is liv- 
ing in Wapello Count}'; Jonathan is the fifth in 
order of birth. 

He was reared to farm life and in his j-outh had 
a taste of develojjing the wild land, his father clear- 
ing and ina|)roving six hundred and forty acres. 
He was educated in the subscription schools, com- 
mon at that day, and remained under the parental 
roof until he attained his majority, when he started 
out in life for himself. The occupation to which he 
was reared, he has made his life work and he began 
' his efforts in Locust Grove Townshi|). In Wap- 
ello County in 1866, Mr. Harris led to the mar- 
riage altar Miss Paulina A. Williams, who was born 
in rt\ipp||o County, and is a daughter of William 
II. and Julia (Lumpkins) Williams. Her parents 
were born, reared and married in Kentucky and in 
1845 emigrated to Wapello County, Iowa, where 
upon a farm the}' made their home until 1884 since 
which time they have been residents of 15atavia, 
•Jefferson County. 

Mr. Harris has spent his entire life upon one 
farm and those who have known him from child- 
hood are numbered among his stanchest friends, 
for they have witnessed the development of an up- 
right moral character which wins the regard of all 
with whom he comes in contact. His memorj-goes 
back to the days when lliis community was but 
sparsely settled, when Fairfield was a mere trading 
post and the nearest markets were at Burlington 
and Keokuk, when no fences im|)edcd the progress 
of one driving across the country and when travel- 
ers m.-ide their journe}' by stage or by private con- 
veyance. He h.as witnessed the introduction of the 
railroail, the telegraph and the telephone, has 
watched the growth of the county seat, has seen 
many of the now thriving villages of the county 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



195 



spring into existence and the once wilil land Irans- 
I'ornu'd into rich and fertile fnrins. His farm em- 
braces sixty-six and two-tljirds acres of liighiy 
improved land, forty of whicii are situated on sec- 
tion 7. and twenty -six and two-thirds acres on sec- 
tion 18, Locust Grok'e Township. In his political 
allilialions, Mr. Harris is a Democrat, and for the 
third time has been elected .lusticc of the Peace. 
He has also been a member of the School Board 
and has ever taken an active interest in ednclional 
matters. Socially he is a non-aflilinted Odd Fel- 
low, having been a member of Hrookville Lodge 
during its existence. He and his wife hold mem- 
bership with the Christian Church of Bladensburg, 
Wapello County. 

Ten children grace the union of Mr. and Mrs. 
H-irris — Henry Harvey, a resident of Ottumwa; 
.Miranda, now Mrs. Jamison of Seymour, Wayne 
Coiinlj', Iowa; Robert, Julia, Jasper, Alar^' E., 
Leverett. Carroll R.. Edith and Orville. The Harris 
household is noted for its bospitalit}' and the mem- 
bers of the family hold a high position in the social 
world. 



■^ ^ 



AMES T. HUTCIHN, one of the prominent 
and successful farmers of Jefferson County, 
resides on section 2, Black Hawk Township, 
and the story of his life is as follows: He 
was born in Preble County, Ohio, April 2. 1835, 
being a son of Joel G. and Rachel (Tapscott) 
Hutcbin. History s-iys that the family was foun- 
ded in America by John Ilutchin, who, accom- 
panied by his brother, left his English home and 
crossed the water to America, settling in New Jer- 
sey about the year 1730. William Hutehin, son 
of John, was born November 11, 17.i9. and served 
in Lee's Legion in the Revolutionary War, during 
which he killed a British officer at the battle of 
Cowpens. His wife, whose maiden name was 
Nancy De Kobine, was born February 2, 17.J8, and 
was of French descent. Her father narrowly es- 
caped death during the Revolution. He was in a 
blockhouse in Paoli when it was sacked by the 
hidians and British, and was shot in the eye and 
left fur dead, but afterward recovered. The cliil- 



drtn I". Ill to WillJHiii and Mary " Hutohin were: 
Thom.is, born March 11, 1782; Moses, February 
10, 1781; Henry W., March 22, 1786; Isa.ic, 
March 13, )788; Moses,[j .September] 18, 1790; 
Charles. May 20, 1793; Joel Gibbs, M.ay 22, 1795, 
and .Miiria, December I, 1797. 

Joel Gibbs Hutehin. the father of our sulijoct, 
received the usual educational advantages afforded 
farmers' sons at 11 a.*, early d.ay, and spent bis boy- 
hood in his native State, but on reaching manhood 
he remove<l with his parents to Ohio, where he 
lived the life of an industrious farmer. On the 
21st of December, 1820, he married Rachel H. 
Tapscott, a daughter of James and Mary Tapscott, 
who were natives of New Jersey, the former 
born September 22, 1770. and the latter April 
13, 1772. Her father was of Scottish descent, 
and was a merchant of Bordcntown, N. J. His 
wife was a daughter of Geisbert and Elizabeth 
P. Hendrickson, who were married October 25, 
1728. The parents of Jlrs. Hendrickson were 
Stoffil Longstreet and Abigail Delcreaux, who were 
born prior to the year 1690. Thus we see that on 
the maternal side our subject traces his ancestry 
back to the latter part of the seventeenth centuiy, 
and on the paternal side to the env\y \n\vl of the 
eighteenth century. 

Joel G. Ilutchin, the father of our subject, made 
his home for some time in Butler County, Ohio, 
and then removed with his family to Preble 
County, where lie developed a farm and spent the 
greater part of his life. He came to Iowa in 1855 
and bought four hundred acres of land in Jefferson 
County, but his death occurred three years later, 
at the age of sixty-three years. His wife survived 
him until April 14, 18G1, when her remains were 
laid by the side of her husband in Richland ceme- 
tery. No family in the community w.os more 
highly respected than that of Mr. Ilutchin, and in 
every way he and his estimable wife were worthy 
of the love and conQdence accorded them. They 
were both members of the Society of Friends, and 
in the councils of tlie church Mr. Hutchin's opin- 
ion was received with honor and deference. He 
labored for the interest of the cause and made his 
religion a part tif his daily life. (Generous and 
(ree-hearteiL he was a benefactor to the poor and 



196 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



needy, a fiientl to tlie oppressed, and a companion 
to all ill need of syin[)atliy or aid. In conmKjii 
will) those of his eliiirch lie was a strong opposer 
to the instiUitioii of luimaii slavery, and was among 
the lirst to espouse the cause of the Republican 
part}-, which was formed to jirevent its introduc- 
tion into Northern States. Althoujih he always 
refused to accept jiulilic otiice himself, he took a 
deep interest in political alTairs, and was well 
versed in the same. He was also a representative 
business man, progressive and enter|)rising, and in 
company' with MaruiaduUe (ireen, in 185.5, in- 
troduced into Iowa the first I'oland-C'hina hogs 
brought to the State, the breed being then known 
as th(! McGee hog. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Hutchin were born a family 
of six children: Isaac, who was born December 8, 
1823, and is living a retired life in Colorado 
Springs; Henry W., who was born November 1, 
1825, and engaged in merchandising in Fountain, 
Iowa, met his death in an ex[)losion which occurred 
May 30, 1888; Ann. born February 19, 1828, is 
the wife of Dr. A. H. Stevens, of Ohio, who was 
one of the leading surgeons in the army during the 
late war; Caroline, born June 17, 1830, in Coffee 
County, Kan., married Peter S. Patton, one of the 
early pioneers of Jefferson County; Mary T., born 
April 25, 1833, is the wife of Amos H. Terrill, of 
Colorado Springs. 

James T. Hutchin, whose name heads this sketch, 
completes the family. He spent his early life in 
the State of his nativity, and received a good Eng- 
lish education in the common schools, which wss 
supplemented by three terms attendance at Earl- 
ham College, of Richmond, Ind. His summers 
were spent at hard labor on the farm, but such 
trials are often the means of bringing out the ma- 
terials in a person's character, and so it proved 
with Mr. Hutchin, for in his youth he developed a 
spirit of self-reliance and zeal which have been im- 
portant factors in his success in after life. At the 
age of twenty years he accompanied his parents to 
Jefferson County, and remained under the parental 
roof until twenty-two years of age, when on the 
17th of September, 1857, he wedded Miss Mary 
Hadley and removed to a farm given him by his 
father. It was an eighty acre tract, ten acres of 



which had been broken and upon which a small 
house h:id been built. He fenced and improved 
the land, and made his home thereon until 1869, 
when he purchascii one hundred and fifty-one 
acres, on section 2. Black Hawk Township — his 
present iKimc. Twenty-one years have since passed, 
and in that time a wonderful transformation has 
been wrought. F'ertilc fields now yield abundant 
harvests as the reward for his labors; he has a 
comfortable residence, good buildings, and every- 
thing bespeaks care and attention. Just and fair 
in all his dealings, he has won the confidence of all 
with whom he has come in contact, and by the ex- 
ercise of correct business principles, combined with 
zealous labor, he has acquired a handsome compe- 
tence. 

^Irs. Hutchin was a daughter of Joshua Hadlo}', 
who was born in North Carolina in 181(j. is one 
of the pioneers of Keokuk County, Iowa, and a laud 
owner of Jefferson County. He came to Jefferson 
County ill 1S41, at which time he purchased land. 
To Mr. and Mrs. Hutchin have been born six chil- 
dren, lint only one of the number is now living. 
Emily Luella, born November 3, 1858, died on the 
8th of January, 18C0 ; Ernest Leon, born Novem- 
ber 22, 1860, died March 12, 1883; he had been 
provided with excellent educational advantages, 
and possessed extraordinary oratorical power; his 
character was such as to win him the respect of all 
with whom he came in contact, and the entire com- 
munity assembled to pay the last tribute of love 
and esteem for the dead. Anna Susan, born March 
16, 1861, died March 7, 1883; Lydia Eva, born 
December 2, 186C, died March 21, 1868; Joel Al- 
fred, born August 10, 1870, was a student of the 
Pleasant Plain Academy, and is a. young man of 
much promise; Corilla, the youngest, born Septem- 
ber 3, 1878, died January 12, 1880. 

]\Ir. Hutchin and his wife are members of the 
Society of Friends, although he leans toward the 
Unitarian doctrine. He gives liberall}' for the sup- 
port of the work, however, and is always reat'^' to do 
his part in any enterprise calculated to benefit the 
community. He is a man well informed on all gen- 
eral topics, is a great reader and an entertaining 
conversationalist, being able to express his ideas 
fluently and well. When he takes his stand for or 




ROBERT SLOAN, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHIC A 1> ALBUM. 



199 



against any measure he can always give an excel- 
lent reason for so doing, and when he believes 
himself to be in the right nothing can swerve liini 
from liis determination to pursue that course, hi 
his earlier years he siii)ported the Republifan party, 
casting his first vote for Fremont, but wiien (J rant 
and Greeley were opposing candidates he cast his 
ballot for the latter. Ilis ideas on the tariff cjues- 
tion being out of harmony with tiic Republican 
party, he then connected himself with the Demo- 
cratic part}', but has independence enough to vote 
for the men who represent the best interests of the 
country without regard to party associations. Mr. 
llutchin ran vu the Democratic ticket for County 
.Supervisor. As is well known, JetTerson County- is 
strongl_v Republican, yet his po|nilarity is plainly 
shown by tlie fact that he carried his own township 
by the largest majority ever given when there w.as 
any opposition. He has been Township Clerk, and 
has served two terms as Assessor, but is no wise an 
office-seeker. No one stands higher in the esteem 
of their fellow-men than Mr. llutchin, and it is with 
pleasure we record his sketch in this volume. 



->-^^^:i^^^\^^)<^^ 



^ 



) 



T-V 



■if UDGE ROBERT SLOAN. Few counties, 
if any, in Iowa can boast of a larger list 
of talented men than \'an Buren. Her sons, 
natural and adopted, have distinguished 
themselves in every avocation of life, and espe- 
cially in the learned professions. Among those 
she delights to honor is the well-known jurist and 
attorney, Robert Sloan. Descended from Scotch- 
Irish ancestry, he has inherited the mental and 
moral qualities peculiar to tiiat people. His pater- 
nal great-grandfather served as a Lieutenant under 
<ien. Bra;ldock in the French and Indian War, but 
when the Colonies declared their independence he 
espoused the cause of liberty "and rose to the rank of 
Captain. Robert Sloan, Sr., the father of Judge 
Sloan, was born in County Antrim, Ireland, and 
when seven years of age came to the United 
Slates with his i)arents, who settled near Phila- 
delphia, Pa. On reaching mature years, he wedded 



Miss Elizabeth Steapli'ton, with whom he moved to 
Columbiana County, Ohio, where he engaged in 
farming. Tiie spring of 1853 witnessed the re- 
moval of the fauiil}' to Davis County, Iowa. 

Judge Sloan was born October 21, 1835, and 
was, therefore, nearly eighteen years of age at the 
time of his removal to this State. His scholastic 
training was coiiliiied to tlie common school and 
a year's course in the New Lisbon High School. 
Such was his diligence in the pursuit of knowledge 
that, with these meagre advantages, he qualified 
himself for tiie profession of teaching, which he 
followeil after coming to Iowa until 18()0, with 
tiie exception of about two years spent in mercan- 
tile life in lowaville. In the above-mentioned 3'ear 
ho began to read law under Judge George G. 
Wright, then of Keosauqua, and was admitted to 
tiie bar in March following. The young attorney 
soon took a front rank among his professional 
brethren, and his reputation as a judge of law be- 
came established. At the general election of 1868 
he was chosen Judge for the First Circuit of the 
Second Judicial District. Four j-ears later he was 
elected Circuit Judge of the Second Judicial Dis- 
trict, and re-elected in 1876. Thus it will be seen 
that Judge Sloan has filled a judicial chair for twelve 
consecutive years, and this is the highest possible 
compliment to his ability and popularity. After 
leaving the bench he became a member of the 
law firm of Sloan, Work & Brown, and has since 
devoted himself assiduously to the practice of his 
profession. 

(in the 15th of .July, ISC), .ludge Sloan wedded 
Miss Mary Brown, a native of County Westmeath, 
Ireland, born January 11, 1838. Her parents, Will- 
iam and E;iiza (Alexander) Brown, were both na- 
tives of Scotland, but in early life emigrated to Ire- 
land, where the mother died when Mrs. Sloan was 
a child of three summers. In 1847 Mr. Brown 
came to the United States and soon afterward lo- 
cated on a farm in Van Buren County, where he 
passed his remaining days, dying November 12, 
1854. Mr. and Mrs. Sloan are the parents of seven 
children — Stella B., born November 26, 1864; 
Hugh B., September 1, 1866; Tede. .September 13, 
1868; Mary E.. October 21, 1S70; Delia, Ix.rn 
July 17, 1873. died November 2'J, 1878; lo. G., 



200 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPIIIt'AL ALBUM. 



Imjim .luly U. lH7e;and Robert E.. February 4, 
1K78. 

Mr. ami Mrs. Slo.in are moml)ers of tlie C'oiifrre- 
j;jiti..n!il Cliurch. Politicnlly. lie has been a He- 
])iiblican since the organization of the party. For 
nearly tliirly years he has been a member of the 
Keosauqua b»r and the place he there occupies is 
second to none. Before a jury he is a forcible ad- 
vocate, not so much on account of ••honeyed elo- 
quence" as the weight of character he brings to 
bear. Above the petty tricks of the profession, he 
is candid, dignified and earnest. But it is as a 
counselor and jud,;,'e of law that he is best known 
and most highly appreciated. 



#^ 



~/()lIN C. THOKNK. a leading dry-goods 
merchant of Fairfield, has been engaged in 
his present line of business in that city since 
1880. but fur thirty years he has been a 
rcTidenl of the Uawkeye Stale. However, he 
claims rtnn.^ylvania as tlie State of his nativity, 
his birth having occurred in Butler C'ounty.August 
26. 1H.')1. llis |)arents were Robert and Elizalicth S. 
(Calhoun) Thorne. When he w.nsa lad of six years 
his father died. and two years later he came to Iowa 
to make '.lis home with his maternal grandfather 
who was then living in llic northeastern |)art of 
Van Buren County. His boyhood days were spent 
in the usual manner of farmer lads, and when not 
employed in labois connected witli the farm he at- 
tended the public schools where he received a good 
Knglish eilucation. This was supplemented by at- 
tendance at the academy of Hirminghani. and after- 
ward he pursued a course in the Commercial Col- 
lege of Keokuk. In 1870. Mr. Th<^rne made his 
way to Tennessee and for a time engaged in clerk- 
ing in Manchester. There he gained a fair knowl- 
e<lge of business principles and in 1874 returned to 
Fairfield, where he was employed for one year as 
dry goods clerk in the house of Mr. Risk. He then 
secured a like ])osition with J. E. Rolh.wfth whom 
he remained five years, when in the spring of 1S80, 
he embarked in business for himself. In the ten 



years which have since elapsed he has found ample 
reward for the efforts be has put forth and is now 
doing a large business which is annually increasing. 
In 1880. he started in business in company with E. 
M. Gage, under the firm name of Thorne & Gage. 
This connection contiinied for three years when 
Mr. Thorne bought, bis partner's interest, and since 
that time he has continued the business alone. 
During hisservico as salesman the public had found 
that it would receive courteous treatnu-nt. promi)t 
attention and fair dealing from yiv. Thorne, and 
was glad of an opportunity to show its ajipreciation 
of his faithfulness which it does by .-i liberal pat- 
ronage. 

On the 12th of April, 1877, Mr. Thorne led to 
the marriage altar Miss Rose Pitkin, daughter of 
E. Pitkin, now of Fayetteville, Ark. The lady is 
a native of Van Buren County, Iowa, and unto 
them has been born one child, Harry Pitkin, born 
March 18, 1879. The parents attend the Presby- 
terian Church and in political sentiment Mr. 
Thorne is a Republican. He is one of the enter- 
prising and wide-awake merchants of Fairfield, 
popular with the public and highly esteemed 
throughout the county'. 



-€-*-^- 



IfelLSON T. ABRAHAM, who devotes his time 
n/fl and attention to farming and stock-raising 
W^' o" section 12, Locust Grove Township, is 
a representative of one of the pioneer families of 
Jefferson ( ounty. He was born on the farm which 
is still his home and which has witnessed his boy- 
hood efforts and business enterprises of his maturer 
years. His father, Charles Abraham, was a native 
of Ohio, and his mother, whose maiden name w.as 
Elizabeth Howell, was born in Indiana. They were 
married in the Latter Slate and came to Jefferson 
County in 1812. A farm was developed and im- 
proved by the husband, who by his industry and 
perseverance m.ade a good home for his family and 
secured a comfortable competence. He died in 
1877, respected liy all who knew him, and his wife, 
a most estimable lady, passed away in 1882. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALlillM. 



201 



The old time schools of that early daj' afforded our 
subject the educational privileges he received. The 
years of his lioyhood and youth were devoted to 
farui work and ou attaining to mature years he began 
life for himself, embarking in tiie pursuit to which 
lie was reared. Througliout Ins entire life he was 
engaged in farming and stock-raising, and his 
labors have been confined to the operation of the 
old homestead. He chose as a lielpraate and com- 
panion on life's journey Miss Laura Ilntton, their 
union being celebrated in December, 1878, in .lef- 
ferson County (the birthplace of Mrs. Abraham). 
Iler parents, Levi and Nancy (Ilolsinger) Ilutton, 
were natives of Indiana and Pennsylvania respect- 
tively, and came to Iowa in an early day, settling 
ill Liberty Township, Jefferson County. Both are 
now dei^eased, having been called to their final rest 
some years ago, Mr. Hutton dying in 1860 and 
Mrs. Ilutton in 18()7. 

Mr. Abraham aided in developing the homestead 
farm and is now tlic owner of eighty-five acres of 
it. and in connection with its cultivation, raises 
some slock of good grades. He keeps himself well 
informed on all subjects of the day and casts his 
ballot with the Democratic party, but has never 
sought or desired |niblic oflice. lie was, however, 
induced to fill the position of Tovvnshi[) Trustee, 
and was elected Supervisor but did not consent to 
serve. The cause of education claims him as a 
friend and the moral and social interests of the 
community rank him among their supporters. He 
discourages all unworthy interests, giving his sup- 
port to those which will l)eiiefilthe community and 
promote the general welfare. 



'^ ^S - t 



fOIIN L. 15ROWN, a veteran of the late war 
and an early settler of Van Hurcn County, 
Iowa, now residing in Fairfield. Jefferson 
County, was born in the town of Yellowbud, 
Ross County, Ohio. February 1, 1838, and is a son 
of G. Washington and Mary ( Long) Brown. His 
father, the youngest of lOeven children, was born in 
Huntingdon, I'a., in the year 1811, and was of 



Scotch and German descent. He came to Iowa with 
his family in 1846, settled in Van Buren County, 
and is now a resident of Keosauqua. The mother 
was born in Highland County, Ohio, in 180'J, and 
was descended from English ancestry. 

Our subject was a lad of eight years when he 
accompanied his parents to Iowa, reaching Keosau- 
qua ;it Christmas time. The family settled on a 
farm in Vernon Township, Van Buren County, 
wiiere he was reared to manhood, receiving his edu- 
cation in the public schools. Responding to his 
country's call for troops he enlisted for the late 
war on the 1st of August, 1861, as a member of 
Company G. Third Iowa Cavalry, was promoted 
from Third Corporal to First Sergeant and, in June, 
1864, was comiuissioned First Lieutenant in the 
Freedmeu's Bureau Service and assumed staff duty, 
serving until that department was closed out in 
1866. Lieut. Brown look part in many important 
engagements, including the battles of Tupelo, 
Guntown, Selma, Colurabi;i, Little Rock, Hartsville, 
Grierson's raid, Moore's Mill and in skirmishes too 
numerous to mention. He was in command of the 
provost guard at Memphis at the time of Forrest's 
celebrated raid on that city. Toward the close of his 
service he received an injury in llie left hip which 
at first took the form of a tumor and at times 
caused him much pain, unfitting him for duty. 
After his return from the war his ailment increased 
and eventually resulted in an abcess which affected 
first the left leg and then the right until their use- 
fulness, as a means of locomotion, was virtually 
destroyed. Mr. Brown h.as now been a sufferer 
for nearly twenty-five years, and from the rugged 
man of six feet, three inches in height, weighing 
two hundred and thirty pounds, he is reduced to 
one hundred and fifty-six pounds in weight and is 
perceptably lessened in stature. However, not- 
withstanding his physical afllictions he is cheerful 
and makes the best of his misfortune. 

On the 25Xh of February, 1864, in Fairfield, Mr. 
Brown was united in marriage with Miss Martha 
Bell, daughter of Asahel Brown, an early pioneer 
of Jefiferson County, whose sketch appears else- 
where in this work. Mrs. Brown was born in 
Huntingdon, Pa., and came to Fairfield, Iowa, with 
her parents in July. 1844. To Mr. and Mrs. Brown 



202 



PORTRAIT AND BJOGRAPIIICAL ALBUM. 



lias been born one cbild, a daughter, Lulu Z., who 
is now tlie wife of George Coibinn, of Des Moines. 
Mrs. Brown nnd her dniiirli'.er aie menihers of llic 
B;i|)list Churcli. Mr. Brown is a Republican in 
politics and a member of George Strong Post, No. 
19, G. A. R. Ills father was also a soldier of the 
late war, joining the regiment kniiwn as the Iowa 
Graybeards, in 18P.'5 and, after nine months serv- 
ice, was discharged on account of piiysical dis- 
ability. Our subject continued to reside in Van 
Buren County until 1X71, when he removed to 
Fairfield where he has since resided. He has made 
many warm friends throughout tiie comnuinily 
and is held in high esteem by all who know him. 



~OHN ALEXANDKR RAINKS, of Fairfield, 
was born in Scott County. Ky.. near Lexing- 
ton, on the 9th of November, 1835, and is a 
i^J' son of Waller and Lavina R. (Lloyd) Raines. 
His fatlier was a native of Virginia, born in Orange 
County, and was descended from English ancestry. 
The family was founded in Anjerlca durin<r the old 
Colonial days, and was represented from bolii sides 
in the war of the Revolution. Mr. Raines' father 
emigrated to Kentucky in IHIO. making the jour- 
ney on foot in company willi his friend, Anthony 
Hughes. He enlisted in the War of 1812, and at 
its close returned to his home in Kentuckj', where 
he was engaged in farming. His wife, the mother 
of our subject, was born in Loudoun County, Va., 
and was of Welsh and German descent. Possessed 
of most exjellent judgment and earnest piety, and 
practical in her methods, she trained her family, 
numbering six sons and three daughters, with a 
view to making them useful and respected mem- 
bers of society. Her deatli occurred in 1858. Af- 
ter the death of Mrs. Raines, Mr. Raines lived with 
his family in Kentucky until about the time of the 
breaking out of the late war, when he came to 
Marshall County, HI., where he remained two years, 
after which he went to Greenfield, Ind., with his 
son. Rowan W., with whom he made his home un- 
til his death, which occurred about 1809, when he 



had passed his eightj'-sixth year. He was a man 

uf powerful piiysique, and possessed great endur- 
ance and fortitude. He was never sick,' but death 
resulted from old age. 

.lohn A. Raines is the youngest member of the 
family of nine, of whom seven are now living. All 
were reared to habits of industry and frugality, and 
their after lives show the wisdom of their training. 
Their |)arents had no use for drones, and never per- 
mitted that condition to exist which is said to be 
favorable to wickedness. 

Our subject received such education as he could 
obtain in his day and place of residence. Having 
a taste for mechanical pursuits, he learned the 
wagon-maker's trade, and in 1855 went to Wood- 
for<l County, HI., where he followed his chosen oc- 
cupation, and also'acquired a knowledge of carpen- 
tering. Two years later, in that county, he was 
united in marriage with Miss ilaria, daughter of 
George W. and Martha (Adams) Boeock. The 
lady was born in Fulton County, HI., near Canton, 
and their union was blessed ^Yith three children, one 
son and two daughters: Effie F., who is now the 
wile of Roljert J. Raines, a distant cousin and resi- 
dent of Fairfield 'J'ownship, Jefferson County; Os- 
car v., wlio died at the age of twenty-one years; 
and Maria ,1., who died in infancy. The mother 
was called to her final rest September 22, 1862. 

In early manhood, Mr. Raines became a zealous 
member of the Christian Church, and in 1858 be- 
gan preaching the gospel. He possesses a good 
command of language, and a gift of oratory coup- 
led with a fervent zeal in the cau.se of Christian- 
it}', that has made him an interesting and popular 
preacher. While in Illinois, he was variously em- 
ployed. For several years he was a merchant's 
clerk in Lacon, and served as Police Magistrate 
and Justice of the Peace. In the political cam- 
paign of 18(50, when Lincoln was elected to the 
Presidency, he took an active part in Republican 
politics, and has since voted and labored for the 
interests of the part}'. 

On the 8th of October, 1803, Mr. Raines was 
again married, his second union being with Miss 
Martha J. Boeock, a sister of his former wife, and 
a native of Fulton County. 111. Three children, 
daughters, were born of the second marriage — Lu- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



20.3 



tliia Alice, MiiitliH 01j,m, aixl 'Sin:\ .Iiiiii;i. Tlui 
two elder have just graduated fidiii llie Fairfield 
High-schoni. 

Mr. Raines li;is served as Pastor of llio Christian 
Church of lielle Plaiiie. I'.atli, Chandlerville. and 
■Washington. III., an<l at intervals between Ids pas- 
toral duties has engaged in nieehanieal work. In 
1873, he came to Iowa, locating in Osage. Mitchell 
County, where he was local pastor. In 1H78, he 
became interested in the insurance business, and 
has coniinued in that line ever since, doing more 
or less work all the time in the line of the minis- 
try. During the twelve years in which he has de- 
voted his time to the insurance business, he has 
been connected with only three companies, and al- 
ways as general agent. For the past two years 
he has been general agent for the German Fire In- 
surance Company of Peoria, 111. He came to Fair- 
field, on the 22(1 of Januarj', 1878, and for six 
months occupied the pulpit of the Christian Church 
of the city, since which time he has served as one 
of its elders. He has done a great deal of minis- 
terial work as supply preacher, and has been an in- 
defatigable laborer in all matters pertaining to 
church or Sunday-school work. Mr. Raines is 
blessed with a noble wife and intelligent and inter- 
esting children, all of whom are devoted to the 
cause of Christianity-. 



<Jf^ AMES .S. BECK, who is now living a retired 
life in Fairfield, has spent forty-seven years 
in Iowa, and with the exception of three 
years of that (leriod has been a merchant of 
Jeflferson County. He was born in Fayette County, 
Pa., in 1821, and is a son of James and Sarah 
(Evans) Heck. On the paternal side he is of Irish 
descent, his father having emigrated to America 
from the North of Ireland. His mother however, 
was born in Lancaster County, Pa. During the 
early childhood of onr subject, the parents removed 
with their family to Wheeling, Aa.. where the fa- 
ther died about 1830. 

la Wheeling our subject was reared to manhood, 



uid at the age of nineteen years went to Kentucky, 
whence he afterward made his way to Delavan, III. 
Later we find liitn in Sjjringfield, III., and in the 
autumn of l.SH. he came to Keokuk, Iowa, and in 
1848 joined the Des Moines River expedition. 
For a lime he engaged in farming in Lee County, 
and in 184G he came to Fairfield. 

Thus far since attaining to mature years, Jlr. Beck 
had traveled the journey of life alone, but on the 
1st of March, IK 19, he was united in marriage with 
Miss Narcissa Junken, who was liorn in Wheeling, 
\a., and with her parents, whose sketch is given on 
another page of this volume, came to Fairlield in 
1811. Their union was blessed with one daughter, 
Lucy 11., who is now the wife of John II. Atkin- 
son, of Webster City, Iowa. 

In political sentiment, .Mr. Beck is a Democrat, 
and by that party was twice elected ShcritT of Jef- 
ferson County, holding the olHce four years, from 
1867 until 1S71. The opposing party had a iirijor- 
ity of six or seven hundred, but his personal popu- 
larity combined with his abilit3-, won for him the 
office, and it is needless to say the duties were faith- 
fully performed. In his business enterprises, Mr. 
Heck has been quite successful. For about ten 
years he was eng.agedin merchandising in Fairfield, 
eight years of which time he carried on operations 
as a partner of J. J. (iibson, under the firm name 
of Gibson & Beck. At length having acquired an 
ample competency to enable him to spend his de- 
clining years in rest from the arduous cares and 
duties of business life, he disposed of his interest in 
the store, and is now living in retirement. Socially, 
he is a member of the Masonic fraternit}-. His 
wife is a member of the Presbyterian Church. 

Not the least interesting period in the life of Mr. 
Heck has been his pioneer experience. He is one 
of the honored early settlers of Jefferson County, 
shared in the hardships and trials incident to life 
on the frontier, and was also a partaker of its pleas- 
ures, many of which are unknown at this day. He 
helped to build the first house in Omaha in 1853, 
ran a ferry at that place, and in 1857 sold goods 
in Council Bluffs. The years 1859 and 18G0, he 
spent at Pike's Peak, Colo. In his journeyings, his 
genial manner and gentlemanly deportment, his 
I gourteous treatment of all, won him many friends, 



204 



i>(»iM'i;Air AND i;i()<;i;Ai'niCAi, aliu:.m. 



and tlic sniiu' cliaincUiislics liii^iihiN eil lliioiij;liuiiL 
his iTsifleiK'o in Jeflferson County bnve inrwlu him 
one of her best known and most highly respected 
citizens. Years may come and go, but James S. 
Heck will be long rememljered by those who had 
the pleasure of his acquaintance. 



-:^^ 



E^^ 



SAIIKL IlKKHINGTON BROWN, de- 
ceased, is numbered among the honored 
pioneers of Jeflferson County, where he lo- 
cateil in August, 1844. He was born in Hunting- 
don County, Pa., April 21, 1795, and was a son of 
Daniel Brown. In his native State he was reared to 
manhood iind later was employed on the State works 
and also engaged in farming. On the 11th of Feb- 
ruary, 1819, in the county of his nativity, he wed- 
ded Miss Isabella Sieele. who was born in 
Huntingdon County, Pa., July 15. 1797, and was 
the daughter of iSauniel Steele. Their union was 
blessed with ten children as follows: Nancy E., 
who is now the wife of Thomas E. Brinkley, of 
Muscatine, Iowa; Isaac II., who married Miss Elkn 
Fee and is living in Nebraska; Martha J., who died 
in girlhood; Ellen A., who became the wife of Dr. 
W. B. Ogden and died in December, 18G5; James, 
who died in childhood; Sarah Jane, who wedded 
Thomas A. Parkinson and died July 15, 18(19; 
Temperance, wife of William A. Van Dorn, died 
February 15, 1880; William Steele, died September 
It!, 1H4(;; M. Is.ibel is the wife of J. L. Brown, of 
Fairfield. Iowa, and Dan VV. married Emma Pass 
more and is living in Chicago. 

As before stated, the residence of Mr. Brotvn in 
Jeflferson County dates back to August, 1844, when, 
accompanied by his family, he left his Eastern 
home and emigrated to Iowa, locating in Fairfield 
City on a lot now owned by his daughter, Mrs. J. 
L. Brown. He was ever regarded as one of the 
representative and enterprising citizens of the com- 
munity and the part which he bore in puljlic affairs, 
the enterprise and industry which was displayed 
for the advancement of the county's best inter- 
ests, is well worthy of mention in this volume. 



During the I erritorial days of Iowa he held the of- 
fice of Collector, and for several years served as 
Postmaster of Fairfield and was also Justice of the 
Peace for some time. He made wagon-making his 
business and did a flourishing trade in that line, 
continuing operations until almost the close of his 
life. He was a large man and his death resulted from 
a severe fall on an ie3' walk. The accident oc- 
curred on the 5th of February, 1884, and he passed 
awaj' on the 30th of March following, at the age of 
nearly eighty-nine 3'ears. His wife, whose death 
occurred some years previous, passed away Novem- 
ber 23, 1871, in the sevent^'-fifth 3'ear of her age. 

Mr. Brown was a man of more than average 
ability in many respects. He retained both bis 
mental and ph^'sical faculties almost unimpaired, 
and for seven years prior to his death had not even 
used glasses, yet would read for hours at a time. 
He was remarkably well informed on all topics of 
general interest and was also a great I5ible student. 
All church work found in him a hearty sympa- 
thizer and from the time of its organization until 
his death he filled the office, of Deacon in the Brip- 
tist Church, in wliici] liis wife was also an active 
member. In his earlier years he was a member of 
the Sons of Temiiorance and, throughout his entire 
life, was an inflexible opponent of the liquor traf- 
fic. The Whig part3\ and afterwards the Abolitit)n 
party, received his support in early days, but on 
the organization of the Republican party lie joined 
its ranks. Mr. Brown was devoted to his family 
and friends and was ever faithful to any trust re- 
posed in him. His kindly acts, his generous dis- 
|)ositit)n and his charity for all, won him hosts of 
friends and his earnest Christian life might well be 
taken as an example by others. 



^^ 



[L^ENRY PICKARD, one of the prominent 
3'oung farmers and representative citizens 
of Jefferson County, was born and rearoil 
in Penn Townshij), where he yet makes his 
home. His fine farm comprising one hundred and 
fort^- acres of arable laud is situated on section 9, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICALALBUM. 



•205 



and has all tiie improvements anil accessories of a 
nineteenth ecnluiy country home. Wc have no 
record of the origin of the family, l)ut his paternal 
grandparents, Henry and Eleanor l'iek'ir<l. wcvc. 
natives of North Carolina, in which Slate their 
marriage was celebrated. They became residents 
of Iowa in 1844, locating in Lee County where 
their last days were spent. 

William I'ickard. their son, and father of our 
subject, was born in Bartholemew County, Iiid., in 
1817, and was reared in the usual manner c>f farmer 
lads in that da}', his educational advantages being 
limited to a few terms attendance at the district 
school of the neighborhood during the winter sea- 
son. With the desire to make for himself a liome 
and gain for himself a comfortable competence, he 
came to Iowa in 1839 and made a location on sec- 
tion 2, Penn Township, Jefferson County, which 
continued to be his home until his life on earth was 
ended. His cash capital on his arrival consisted of 
the muniticent sum of *3 and his possessions were 
a light wagon and team, but indolence and idleness 
were utterly foreign to his nature and, as the re- 
sult of unceasing activity, industry, economy and 
good management, he acquired a handsome prop- 
erty and became one of the substantial citizens 
of the community. He was widely and favor- 
ably known and any good work or enterprise was 
sure of his sanction and supjiort. On the 1st of 
June. 1842, he wedded Mary J. Bell, who was born 
in Chillicothe. Ohio, February 3. 1818, and is the 
daughter of Alexander and Rebecca Bell, who re- 
moved with their family to Iowa in 1839. For 
some years they were residents of Penn Township, 
but were living in Grundy County, Mo., at the 
time of tlieir deaths. Mr. Bell served under Jack- 
son during the War of 1812. He was a farmer by 
occupation and was a member of the Society of 
Friends. 

The Pickard family were also believers in tlie 
doctrines of that society and the marriage of the 
parents of our subject w.as performed in the 
Friends' Church in accordance with their rites. 
Shortly after their wedding was celebrated they re- 
turned to Indiana, but after eighteen months again 
came to Iowa and, purchasing land, began life in 
earnest in this then far Western Territory. The 



death of Mr. Pickard occurred on the 16th of Sep- 
tenilier, l.sSfi, caused by being tlrow:) from a 
horse. However, he lived to see his children all 
married and settled around hirn in comfortable 
homes. His wife, who is a most estimable I.ady, still 
survives him and is living with her son Henry. 
Like her husband, she has been a life- long member 
of the Friends Society. He w:is one of the most 
active workers in that church; served as Trustee foi' 
a quarter of a century and did everything in his 
power toward the advancement of its interests. Tiie 
cause of education also found in him a friend and 
he was one of the founders of the Pleasant Plain 
Academy, of which he served as director for many 
years. He also tilled a number of township ofliccs, 
but never sought political preferment as he always 
found his lime w.as well taken up with his business 
and church work. He first cast his ballot with the 
Whig party, then became a Freesoiler and. on the 
organization of the Repulilican party, joined its 
rank'i. He was a successful business man and one 
of the most highly respected citizens of Jefferson 
County. Like her husband, .Mrs. Pickard has lived 
a truly consistent Christian life and made for her- 
self many warm friends. The family of this -vorthy 
couple numbtrs the following children : Eleanor, 
wife of I. J. Green, of Freeport. Ohio; Rebecca, 
wife of Eli Jones, of Pleasant Plain; Ruth, wife of 
Sanford Bray, of Blackhawk Township; Alexander 
married Miss F. R. Groves. and is engaged in farm- 
ing in Penn Township; Henry, whose name heads 
this sketch, is the next younger; ^Martha is the wife 
of William Jones; Aaron wedded .Sina E. Gatlin, 
and is a farmer of Penn Township; James B., who 
married Ada May Clarridge, lives on the old home- 
stead. 

In recording the sketch of Henry Pickard, we 
present to our readers the life of a citizen of Penn 
Township whom many feel a deep interest in, for he 
was reared in their midst and his fiiends in the 
community are many. He was born on the Pickard 
homestead. August 1, 18.53, and the days of his 
boyhood and youth were spent in assisting his 
father in the labors of the farm and acquiring his 
education, which he obtained in tlie public schools 
and the Pleasant Plain Academy. On the 20th of 
December, 1877. he left the parental roof and was 



•206 



PORTRAIT AND BIOORAPHICAL ALBUM. 



united in marriage with Miss Hattic E. Brown, a 
native of Jcfforson County. His father then gave 
him n farm and he sotllcd flown near the oM home, 
beginning life in earnest. In 1884 he purchased 
his present home, where he has engaged in culti- 
vating one hundred and forty acres of rich land 
and in feeding slock. He owns a fine imported 
Norman horse, and for the care of his stock has 
erected good b.arns and outbuildings. His home 
is a pleasant residence surrounded by noble shade 
trees and it lias been blessed by two briglit boys — 
Hugh, born October 19, lH7!l:and Leonard W., 
born .hdy 28, 1888. 

Since casting his first Presidential vote for Gen. 
Grant. Mr. Pickard has never swerved in his alle- 
giance to the Republican party, hut feels an active 
interest in its success and lends his support and in- 
lluence for its advancement. He is always a member 
of the county conventions, has also been a candi- 
date to the State Republican conventions and was 
twice in the judicial conventions. He held the of- 
fice of Township Trustee for six consecutive years, 
al llu- cnil of wiiicli tinie he refused a renomina- 
tion. His etnciciicy and ability are clearly indi- 
cated by his long service. Socially, lie is a mem- 
ber of the Odd Fellows lodge of Pleasant Plain 
and his wife holds membersliip in the Presliyterian 
Church of that village. T'hose wiio know these 
wortliy young people hold them in the highest es- 
teem and their lives have been such as to merit 
the sincere regard of the community. 




^li^ 



y^ILLIA.M r, HARRIS, M.D., one of the 
leading medical practitioners of Keosau- 
qua, Iowa, was born in Stanford, Lincoln 
County, Ky., on the 18lh of September, 1841, and 
is the son of the Rev. Ralph and Mary (Wilson) 
Harris. His father, a native of Virginia, was l)orn 
in 1812, and .acquired his education in the Center 
College, of Danville, Ky. In his youth he deter- 
mined to devote his life to the ministry, and fol- 
lowed that profession for a number of years, but 
in 184;i, after his emigration to the West, lie turned 



his attention to other pursuits, yet has ever mani- 
fested a deep interest in religious work and aided 
not a little in the advancement of the cause in the 
community where he makes his home. He was 
married on the 31st of May, 1837, to Miss Wilson, 
whose birth occurred in 1818. As before slated, 
he removed to the West in 1849, locating in Ma- 
comb, III., and shortly afterward commenced read- 
ing me<licine, which study he supplemented by a 
course in Hahnemann College, in Chicago. After 
his gr.aduatiou from that school, he entered upon 
the practice of tlie medical profession, which he 
still continues, but being now an old man he has 
to some extent laid aside its more arduous duties. 
Both he and his wife are still living and make their 
home in .Macomb, where they are highly respected 
[leople. At the time of the Rebellion, Dr. Harris 
w.-is appointed Chaplain of the Eighty-fourth Illi- 
nois Infantry and served about one year. He has 
been prominently connected with church work, 
being a Presbyterian in faith, and was the first 
President of the McDonough Presliylerian College. 

Our subject passed his boyhocd days in a man- 
ner usual to lads similarly circumstanced. He ac- 
quired his literary education in the McDonough 
College, and then, having determined to follow the 
same pursuit in which his father was engaged, he 
began reading medicine. In the winter of 1866- 
G7 he attended lectures at the Keokuk Medical 
College, and during the following spring com- 
menced practice in Blandinsville, 111. He also at- 
tended lectures at the Hanhnemann Medical Col- 
lege of Chicago, but was graduated from the 
Missouri Medical College, located in Si. Louis. 

Dr. Harris displayed his loyalty to the Govern- 
ment during the late war by faithful service in the 
liel<l. In .Tune, 18C1, he became a member of the 
Seventh Regiment, Missouri State Militia, serving 
until March, 1862, and in .June, 1862, he enlisted 
in the Eighty-fourth Infantry. He was mustered 
in at Quincy as a private of Comp.any C, and with 
his command participated in the h.attles of Perry- 
villo, Wild Cat Jlountain and Stone River. Dur- 
ing the latter engagement he was severely wounded, 
a b!ill passing through his face and tearing away a 
part of his tongue and jaw bone, so that for almost 
a year he was deprived of speech. Being thus 



PORTRAIT AND. BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



207 



disabled for duty, lie was discharged on the '.>'.M 
of February', 18(')3, but when again able to enter 
tiie service lie rejoined his old comrades and was 
commissioned First Lieutenant of his company. 
He served as one of the body guard of Gen. Rosen- 
crans, and at the close of the war was honorably 
discharged. 

Not long after his return home, in 1867, Dr. 
Harris was united in marriage with Miss Lottie 
Ilerrick, daughter of Amos and Phoebe Herrick, 
the former a native of Massachusetts and the latter 
of New Brunswick. They settled in Adams 
County. HI., in I 836, and are numbered among the 
pioneers of that community. Unto the Doctor 
and his wife were born two children, but Ralph 
Flint, the elder, died at the age of four years. The 
daughter is Lenna Pearl. This family have been 
residents of Keosauqua for the past six years. 
Previously they had resided in Fairmount, Mo., 
where for fifteen years the Doctor had engaged in 
the practice of his profession with marked success. 
Although his residence in Van Buren County is of 
sliort duration, his worth and ability have secured 
recognition by a liberal patronage, and among the 
better class of the county's citizens he has won 
high regard anil confidence. He is now a mem- 
ber of the United Slates Pension Medical ICxamin- 
ing Board. 



fOHX SIMMONS, residing on section 35, Lo- 
cust Grove Township, is a representative 
farmer and stock-raiser of Jefferson County 
and one of the pioneers of 1844. He was 
born in Marylanil in 1828, and is a son of Joel 
and Catherine (Nuisbaum) Simmons, who were 
also natives of Maryland, the former of English 
and the latter of (iorman descent. Both his pater- 
nal and maternal grandfathers were born in a for- 
eign country ,and for their transporUition to America 
worked for seven years. Joel Simmons emigrated 
from his native State to Penn.sylvania in an early 
day, where he carried on farming although be was 



a millwright l\y trade. He lived to llie advanced 
age of ninety' years, and spent his last il.nys in the 
Ki'3stone State. His wife died at about the .age of 
sixty years. Their son, whose name heads this 
sketch, was educated in the schools of Penn.syl- 
vania, and on attaining to mature years, in 1853, 
was united in the holj' bonds of matrimony with 
Miss Mary Good. The lady of his choice was also 
a native of the Keystone State, as were iier parents, 
Samuel and Nancy (Roberts) Good. Tlicy liecame 
residents of Jefferson County, Iowa, in 1 84(5, set- 
tling in Des Moines Township, where Mr. Good 
carried on farming until 1850, when, attracted by 
the discovery of gold on the Pacific Coast, he 
made an overland trip to California. Twentj'-two 
years he spent in that State, returning to Jeffer- 
son County in 1872. His death occurred in Gage 
County, Neb., in 1887. His wife, who was a most 
estimable lady, died in 1852, during their residence 
in this county'. The maternal grand|)arcnts of Mrs. 
Simmons, Levi and Elizabeth Roberts, are also 
numbered among the pioneer settlers of Jefferson 
County, where the3- located in 1846. They afler- 
w,nTd returned to Pennsylvania, however, where 
both long since passed awa3^ Her great-grand- 
father was a Revolutionary soldier. 

Mr. and Mrs. Simmons entered upon life's jour- 
ney together in Pennsylvania, where he followed 
farming for some jcars. As before stated, he ar- 
rived in Iowa in the spring of 1844, and, with the 
hope of making a comfortable home for himself 
and family, he entered forty acres of land, which 
be improved. Afterward, however, he disposed 
of th.at proi>erty and purchased eight}- acres of tim- 
ber land, which, when under a high state of culti- 
vation he increased until there is now within the 
boundaries of his farm one hundred and fourteen 
acres of well-cultivated soil. He keeps on hand a 
good grade of stock, the latest improved machinery 
and his barns and outbuildings are all that are nec- 
essary to a model farm of the nineteenth centur}'. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Simmons were born thirteen 
chililren — Benjamin, the eldest, is married and 
carries on farming in Wayne County, Iowa; Cor- 
nelius, a widower, resi<les at home; Jerry is still 
living on the old homestead; George is married and 
resides in Lilierty Township; Thaddeus is mar- 



208 



PORTKAir AND lUOORAlMIK'AL ALBUM. 



ricrl and niakes his liomu in South Dakota; baniiiel, 
a widower, is locatdi in Keokuk County, Iowa; 
.John Is ii,!iiile<l iiiul resides in Fairfield; Plioebe is 
now Mrs. Hill, of Wyoming; Klsie is now Mrs. 
Henderson, of Ileliron, Neb.; Mary is now Mrs. 
Vauf;hn. of Galesl>ur<>. HI.; Sarah i» now Mrs. 
Barnett, of Fairfield; Jane died at liie age of 
eigiiteen years; and another child died in infancy. 
In political sentiment Mr. Simmons is independ- 
ent, voting for tiic man and not the party. He 
supports those measures which he thinks will bene- 
fit the greatest number of people, regardless of the 
Ihrcttls or iwrsuasions of those ivho wish his sup- 
port. While residing in J)es Moines Township he 
served as Road Supervisor, and in this township 
was a member of the School Board, in which of- 
fice he did not a little for the cause of education, 
in which he feels a special interest. Few have so 
{..n" been residents of this community, and as an 
honered pioneer, a representative farmer and worthy 
citizen, he deserves representation in this volume. 






^^^^ 



C. C'HKNHY. For twenty-two consecutive 
years upon a farm on section 3;3. Ilarrisburg 
Township, Van Buren County, Mr. Cheney 
has resiiled. a respected citizen of the community, 
and for thirty years his home has been in this 
neighborhood. His parents. Jonathan and Lydia 
(Tultle) Cheney, were both natives of New Hamp- 
shire, were there married and in that State were 
born unto them four children, the eldest of whom 
is the subject of this sketch, his birth occurring 
August 9,1821. His mother is still living at the 
advanced age of over ninety years, but his father 
(lie<i in this county in 1862. 

The subject of this sketch spent his boyhood 
days in his native State, but began his business ca- 
reer while in his teens in a grocery house in Lowell, 
Ma.ss. It soon became evident that he possessed 
excellent business qualifications, and with the thrift 
and enterprise characteristic of the Yankee he ap- 
plied himself to his business and at the age of 
twenty-two years had saved a suflicient sum to em- 



bark in business for himself, wliicli he did, engag- 
ing in the manufacture of boots and shoes in 
Campton. N. H. He soon worked up a good trade, 
his patronage requiring the employment of ten or 
twelve hands. Continuing his career of prosperity' 
he soon became known as one of the substantial 
citizens of the communitj'. and while there residing 
was m.ade Captain of the militia company, and was 
also for a number of years Clerk of the township. 

In 1844, .Mr. Cheney led to the marriage altar 
Miss Betsy A. Smith, of Tilton, N. H., and in the 
old Granite State there was born unto them a fam- 
ily of four children, the record of whom we here 
append. George, the eldest, who is engaged in 
carpentering in York, Neb., married Miss .Sarah 
Sherman, of Bonajjarte, Iowa, by w^hom he has one 
child — Elsie; Daniel, who married Miss Elizabeth 
J. Cheney, of Hancock, 111., was for about fifteen 
years a station agent in the emplo}' of the Rock 
Island Railroad, but is now living on the old farm, 
his home being brightened by the presence of two 
little daughters — Juniatta and Winnefred May; 
Alice E. is now the wife of Dr. W. E. Lee, a pr.ac- 
ticing i)h3-sician of Beatrice, Neb., and unto them 
have been born two children — Frank and Gussie; 
Edwin L. married Miss Estella Bugbee, of Lake 
Village, N. H., where he is engaged in the grocery 
business. They have three children — Fern, Allie 
Wilber and an infant d.aughtcr. 

In November, 18G0, having severed his business 
connections in the East, Mr. Cheney emigr;itod to 
Iowa and purchased a partly improved farm of one 
hundred and forty-five acres in Ilarrisburg Town- 
ship, where he continued to make his home for 
seven j'ears, when he exchanged it for his present 
farm, consisting of one hundred and seventy-five 
acres. The entire amount he has i)laced under ex- 
cellent cultivation and added many uselul and 
ornamental improvements. He also keeps the latest 
improved machinery and raises a good grade of 
stock. In fact everything connected with and sur- 
rounding his home is in No. 1 order and bespeaks 
the typical Eastern farmer, whose shrewd business 
qualities and untiring industry have made him 
known almost all over the world. In |)()litical sen- 
timent Mr. Cheney is a Democrat, but li.as never 
aspired to i)ul)lic office. He holds the position of 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALHrM. 



209 



Presidont of tlie Mt. Zion Farmers' Alliance, and 
liis son D.'init'l is JSocretary of the same order. 

Tlif (leatli of Mrs. Ciieney occurred very unex- 
pectedly on tiic ITtli of January, 1887, caused, by 
heait disease. .She had many warm friends who 
mourned her loss and shared in the deep bereave- 
ment of the family. 



.-S»t»«^>J^JS5^«tf5<f-.^S*tf* 



I 




ftrlLLIAM MEEK, deceased. Probably no 
A'/ v/ ™''" '^^'"s*^''^^* more credit for the present 
'W^i prosperity of Van Buren County, and more 
especially of Bonaparte, than the gentleman of 
whom we write, for his history is much of the his- 
tory of the progress and business prospevit)- of the 
commiinit3'. lie was a native of l'ennsylvania,but 
in early life removed to Virginia, where he became 
acquainted with and married Elizabeth Johnson, who 
was born in that -State. They removed to Wayne 
County. Ohio, where they lived some fifteen years. 
Tliey became the parents of nine children, eight of 
whom lived to a<lult age. Accompanied by his 
family, in 1829. Mr. Meek emigrated westward, lo- 
cating in St. Joseph Countj'. .Mich., where fur some 
eight years be eiigaged in farming and milling. 
The month of July, 1837, witnessed the arrival of 
William Meek in what is now Bonaparte, \an 
Buren County, Iowa, but then formed a part of the 
Territory of Wisconsin. The county was then but 
sparsely settled but by the business facilities and 
enterprise of its new citizens it has rapidly in- 
creased in importance. He secured the water power 
at this place and in company with his sons, Robert 
and William, built the tirst grist and saw mill in 
the county, botli of which were under one roof. 
These he ojierated until 1811, when the old build- 
ings were torn down and in company with three 
sons, Robert, William and Isaiah, he erected what 
is now known as the Bonaparte ftlills, but in that 
earl^' day was called the Meek Mills. For lift}- miles 
around people came to give them their patronage 
and often the work so accumulated that persons 
were obliged to camp out two weeks, awaiting 
their turn to be served. Although in the mean- 



time, the father died, the mill was operated by the 
sons until 1878, when it was torn down and re- 
placed by a brick structure 40.\50 feet and three 
stories high with basement. It Is furnisiicd with 
the latest improved machinery an<l modern con- 
veniences and li.as a capacity of seventy-tive barrels 
perd.iy. The grist mill was attended with such 
prosperity, that in 18,");!, Mr. Meek and his sons 
were enabled to build what w.is known as the Bon- 
a|)arte Woolen Mills, the first mills of the kind In 
Southern Iowa. The building in which they car- 
ried on operations was a stone and brick structure, 
but in July, 18(5.3, it was consumed by fire. How- 
ever, with characteristic energy, the brothers began 
to rebuild it .and the result is their present factory 
of stone and brick, the dimensions of which are 
50x85 feet .and three stories in height, with an attic 
and basement. Thecostof the building was *12,- 
000 and the [lurch.aso price of the m.achinery was 
$40,000. This mill furnishes employment to some 
eighty-five persons and manufactures cassimere, 
blankets, flannels and stocking yarn. Isaiah Meek 
tt Sons also own ami operate a pants factory which 
was put in operation in M.ay, 1889, and which 
furnishes employment to some fifty hands and 
where the pants are made from the cassimere man- 
ufactured ftom their own looms. Altogether one 
luindred and thirty-three persons receive work at 
the hands of this firm, one hundred and thirty 
being employed in the mills, the remaining three 
doing duty as traveling salesmen. In connection 
with their business, they also own two thousand 
acres of land, one thousand of which is under (•\illi- 
vation. 

William Meek, the father of the family was a 
pioneer in three States. His record is that of a 
self-made man, who without capital began life's 
battle and by hard work, perseverance and good 
business ability came off victorious. Of indomit- 
able will and energy he overcame all obstacles and 
difliculties, labored on untiringl}- and as a result his 
efforts were crowned with;succesj. The benefit liis 
business enteri)rises have been to this community 
cannot be estimated, but with gratitude will be re- 
membered by the citizens of the county for years 
to come. 

The family of Mr. and .Mrs. William Jleek coi- 



210 



PORTRAIT AND liKXiUAl'IIICAL ALBUM. 



sisled of the following cliililicn : JolinsoD. a resident 
of Lee County, Iowa; Elizabeth, wife of A. II. 
Wooil.s of Van HiirtMi Comity ; Robert .ind William, 
partners in the exlensire milling interests; Ann, 
widow of Thomas Charlton of Dauphin County, 
Nell.; Isaiah, also interesleil in the business; Rachel 
.1. who became the wife of A. J. I'oe and died in 
Missouri; Henjamin who died in 1838, when a child ; 
.losoph is also a resilient of Horinparte. The parents 
of this family were members of the Baptist Cluircli 
and were numbered among the best citizens and 
most hii;lily respected people of the conununily. 
Their acfiuaintance was extensive and their friends 
were almost numberless. The mother was called 
to hei linal rest in IH.'ifi. and after a long and use- 
ful life Mr. Meek [lasscd t') his reward in 18G3. 

Isuiah Meek, one of the proprietors of the Bona- 
parte woolen and grist mills, was born in Wayne 
County, Ohio. .lanuary 31, 1821, and at the age of 
eight years accompanied his parents to .St. Joseph 
CoiMily. Mich., where he acquired a common-school 
eiliication. At the age of sixteen, he acconi|)anied 
Ills parents to Van Muren County, Iowa, and as- 
sis'i'd in building up the large and jirosperous 
milling business of Bonaparte, the leading industr}' 
of the place. lie has alwa^-s taken an active and 
(•or>iti)cndal)le interest in anything pertaining to the 
welfare of the community and has done not a little 
toward bringing about its present prosperity and 
placing the county on a ])ar with the sister counties 
in this v.ast commonwealth, ills business ability is 
of a superior order and the upright way in which 
everything connected with the business has been 
carried on, has won for himself and the other mem- 
bers of the firm the resi)eci and confidence of the 
community and secured to them a liberal patron- 
age. 

In 1814, Mr. Meek w.as joined in wedlock with 
Miss Cynthia Ann Ingalls, a native of Ohio, born 
in 1827. They became parents of six children: 
Nancy A., wife of T. W. Boyer, a merchant of 
Bonaparte; Phoebe L., wife of .1. S. Moore.of Keo- 
kuk, Iowa; II. H. who is associated with his father 
in business ;"Mary E., wife of William B. Daniels, of 
Keokuk; Byron F., a partner of the Bonaparte 
Woolen it Grist Mill Company, and Kirk who is 
ftlso of the same company. 



In political sentiment, Mr. Meek is a stanch 
Democrat and feels a deep interest in the success of 
the party but has never been a politician in the 
sense of olfice seeking. He was, however, elected to 
the position of Supervisor but not through his own 
sei;king. W'hen we look back over the past and see 
the wonderful changes which time and civilization 
have made we cannot but exclaiiu ".Surely the age 
of wonders is upon us." The prosperity of the 
communit}- is due greatly to its pioneers and 
knowing this to be true we would question, what 
would Van Buren County have been had it not 
been for the Meek family. We give them all honor 
for the noble work which thej' have done and take 
pleasure in thus presenting a brief record of llicir 
career to the readers of this Album. 




■ > ' y-T-Hr^-^ ' ' ^ ' 



HARLES reed, M. 1)., of Fairheld, who 
for manj' years engaged in farming in .lef- 
i^' son County, but is now living a retired life, 
is a self-made man in every respect, and it is with 
pleasure that we present to the readers of the Al- 
BiM this brief sketch of his life, which is as fol- 
lows. He was born in Portage County, Ohio, 
June 18, 1812, on the day that United States de- 
clared war against Great Britain. The Reed fam- 
ily is an old Scotch faniil}- that settled in New- 
England at an early day. His father, Charles 
Reed, was born in Ellington, Conn., May 1, 1783, 
and was reared to farm life, which he ever after- 
tervvards followed. He wedded Rejoice Diver, who 
was born April 30, 1790, in Blandford, Mass., and 
was of Holland descent. With their respective 
families both emigrated to the Western Reserve, 
and settled in Portasre County, where, on the (ith 
of July, 1806, they were married. They began 
their domestic life upon a farm, and Mr. Reed be- 
came a successful farmer and stock-raiser, owning 
considerable tracts of land beside valuable stock. 
He served his country in the War of 1812, and in 
political sentiment was a Jackson Democrat, but 
when his boys grew up they all became Whigs, 
and he joined them, politically, and afterward sup- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



211 



ported tlie Hcpublifaii party. Both lie anil his wife 
were iiiciiihcrs of the INIelhodist Cliurch anil liotli 
died on the old homestead farm in Portage County. 
The wife was called to her linal rest .luly 12, IHiiT, 
and while earing for her grave he contracteil a 
severe cold, whicli terminated his earthly career 
on the 4th of Septend)er. They were the jiarents 
of ten children, bnl of that once numerous family 
only two are now living — the Doctor, and Harriet, 
wife of Ur. Jonathan Gibbs. One brother. Dr. Silas 
Reed, formerly' of St. Louis, Mo., was ap|)ointed 
.Surve3'or (ieneral for Missouri and lotva, by Presi- 
ilent W. II. Harrison, subsequently' served as a sur- 
geon in the late war and during President (irant's 
administration was appointed Surveyor for Wyo- 
ming. 

Our subject was the third child of the family. 
Ou his father's farm the days of his boyhood and 
youth were spent, and until seventeen years of age 
he attended tlie common schools, when he entered 
an academy at Middlebury, Ohio. On the com- 
pletion of his academic education he began fitting 
himself for the medical profession by reading ff)r 
three ^'earsin Deerfield and Canton. He then took 
his first course of lectures at the Medical College 
of Ohio, in Cincinnati. When he first went to that 
city he had but a few dollars acquired by teaching 
school, but cholera broke out, and he had all the 
practice he could attend to, so that in the fall when 
college opened he had a nice little sum accumu- 
lated. In the spring of 1835 he was graduated 
from the Cincinnati Medical College, after which 
he opened an office in New Philadelphia, Ohio, 
where he practiced successfully- for thirteen years. 
He then removed to Massillon, Ohio, where he con- 
tinued to engage, in professional work until his 
emigration to Iowa. 

In !New Pliiladelphia, on the 3d of February, 
1839. Dr. Reed was joined in wedlock with Anna 
C. Canfield, wlio way born in that place, January 
8, 1819, and is a daughter of George AV. and Kittie 
A. (Clark) Canfield. Her father was born in Mor- 
istovTn, N. J., November 7, 1793, and her mother 
in Wellsburg, Va.. December 27, 1798. They be- 
came actjuainted after their emigration to Ohio and 
were united in marriage March in, 1K18. Mr. 
Canfield was a man who stood high in the c^)mniu- 



nit3- and took a piouiinent part in all local affairs. 
He was a Whig in political sentiment and for 
many years held the offices of Clerk of the Court 
and Recorder. He died on the 26th of October, 
182(1, after which his widow was appointed Post- 
mistress of New Philadelphia, by Gen. Jackson, 
holding the office for twentj'-five years, at the 
expiration of which time she resigned. .She spent 
her last days with her children and departed this 
life in Erie, Pa., July 11, 18(!1. The daughters of 
the family, three in number, still live, but the only 
son is now deceased. The sisters of Mrs. Reed are: 
Harriet, wife of Prof. J. C. Zachos, a native of 
Greece; and Catherine M., wife of Nathan Blicli- 
ensderfer. 

In 18.55, abandoning his profession on account 
of failing health. Dr. Reed sought a home in Iowa. 
It was his intention to locate at Des Moines, but, 
stopping over Sunday with Thomas Mitchell, of 
Mitchellville, he learned of a good farm within 
a mile and a half of the citj' of Fairfield and made 
purchase of about six hundred acres, for which he 
l)aid ^10,000. The farm was noted for its many 
fine improvements of that e.arly time, to which the 
Doctor also added. In 1856 he located on his 
purfihase, where he made his home until 1881, 
when he removed to Fairfield, selling the farm for 
twice what he paid for it, or ^20,000. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Reed were born six children — 
Charles J., who was married and died at the age of 
fort3'-four years, leaving two children, served some 
six years as Government Survej-or; Mary H. died 
at the age of nine years; George C, who is en- 
gaged in banking in Yuma, Col., was appointed 
by President Harrison, Receiver of Moneys at the 
land office of Akron, Col.; Frederick P. is a miller 
of Ashford, Neb.; Frank W. is engaged in the 
banking business with his brother George; and the 
Rev. Elmer E. is a minister in the Presbyterian 
Church. Both the Doctor and his wife are mem- 
bers of that church, and in politics he is now a 
Republican. He cast his first Presidential vote for 
the Whig candidate in 1836, and continued to 
support that parly until its dissolution. The career 
of Dr. Reed is in many waj's worthy of emulation, 
especially the exercise of sucli characteristics as 
perseverance, energy and zeal, which have marked 



212 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Ins entire life. He entered upon manliooil with no 
caijiUU; he iiinde his own way through college; 
lie hegan liis business eaiee.- without the aid of in- 
Uiieiiti;il friends and. step by step, he climbed 
steadily upwanl until he has reached an enviable 
position in the esteem of his fellow-citizens. While 
engaged in the practice of medicine he was ever 
found in the front rank of his professional brethren, 
and as a farmer, he was distinguished by an energy 
and industry which made his home an object of in- 
terest and attractiveness to all passers-by. 



■."^^-. 



# 



-i-i^O^-K- 



K. ELY. who resides ou section 6, Harris 
burg Township, is one of the leading stock 
raisers of Van lUiren County, and to him 
great credit is due for the advanced grades 
of stock which we now find in the communit3'. His 
farm comprises one hundred and twenty acres, 
one hundred of wliich is under a good state of cul- 
tivation, while the remainder is timber land. He 
is also one of the earl}' settlers of the county and 
has been a witness of mucii of its growth and de- 
velopment. 

The life record of Mr. Ely is as follows. He was 
born in nami)shire County. \V. Va., August 27,1851, 
and is the second son of . I. W. ami Mary K. (Ed- 
wards) Ely, who were natives of the Old Dominion. 
Only two years of his life, however, were spent in his 
native State, for wiien he was a babe of two sum- 
mers, his parents removed to Illinois where lie was 
reareil to farm life, receiving such educational ad- 
vantages as the common schools of the neighbor- 
hood alTordcd. At the age of twenty-one years he 
began the battle with the world for position and 
prosperit}' and by lUe exercise of industry, enter- 
prise and gorjd business ability, he has met with 
fair success. In partnership with his father he first 
purchased a farm of one hundred acres, hut after 
operating the same for three jears the\' sold out 
and became owners of his present home. 

In the spring of 1884, Mr. Ely was united in 
marriage with Miss Ida .1. Steadnian, of Knox 



County. III., daughter of V. C. and A. J. Steadman. 
who were natives of the Empire State. The union 
of the young people was celebrated on the 2Ctli of 

I March, and has been blessed with three children — 
May, Lester F. and Mau(L and tlie\' also lost one. 
Mr. El3' was reared in the faith of the .Methodist 
Church and holds membership with the organiza- 
tion in rtica. His vvife is a member of the Bap- 
list Church. In politics he is a stanch Democrat 
but has never sought or desired the honors or emol- 
uments of public otlice, preferring to devote bis 
entire attention to his business interests. Ashe is 

' succeeding in his undertakings and as his social 
relations are most jjleasant in character, he will 

1 probably make Van liuren Count}' his permanent 
home and thereby the community gains a worthy 

, citizen. 

J. W. Ely, who is living on section 7, Harris- 
burg Townshii), w.as born in \irginia, in 1831, his 
parents being Benjamin and Rose A.(l'owelson)Ely. 
His father was a miller by trade and made that his 
business during the greater part of liis life. J. W. 
was reared to manhood under the parental roof 
and lertnu'd the trade which occupied his father's 

1 attention, following the same for five or six years 
after reaeliing man's estate. In 18.56, he left his 
home in Virginia and emigrated to Illinois, where 
he believed better opportunities were afforded for 
a |)rosperous career than in the older and more 
thickly populated States along the Atlantic coast. 
He had but ^50 in his pocket at that time but 
although his cash capital w.as small he possessed an 
unbounded supply of energy, vitality and con.sid- 
erable business abilit3^ He at first rented land but 
in the course of ten years, aside from meeting all 
expenses had saved enough to purchase a good 
farm. Three years longer he remained in Illinois, 
when in the autumn of 1869, he sought a home in 
\'an Buren Covmty. Iowa, locating on section 7. 
Harrisburg Township, where he still resides. 

In 18,')0, Mr. Ely formed a matrimonial alliance 
with Miss Mary Edwards of \'irginia, daughter of 
Robert and Eva (Hawkins.) Edwards.both of whom 
were of German descent. Unto them have been born 
four children — Robert, who lives on section 8, Har- 
risburg Township; B. F., whose sketch is giTen 
above; Ann C, wife of A. W. Warner of Washing- 



I'OUTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



213 



ton Township; and James A., who is engaged in 
agricultural pnrsnits in Ilarrisbtirg Township. Mr. 
and Airs. Kly are members of llic Methodist Church 
of I'tica, to whieli they give libera! support and in 
which they are active workers. All laudalilc en- 
terprises arc sure to find in Mr. Kly a friend, for he 
is always willing to aid in the advancement of any 
interest beneficial to his town and county. He is 
an inllexible adherent of the Democracy and a pro- 
nounced supporter of the free-trade principles. He 
and his son, H. F., rank among the leading stock 
raisers of the county. They make a specialty of 
horses, keeping on hands only the best grades and 
these they are conslantl}' iinpioving. The3- are 
shrewd, s.igacious business men and the success 
which has crowned their efforts is but a just re- 
ward of their labors. 



-^^t^>*-S'1~fi>-m^^-%!^^'^*£-.'^kS^ 



r O.SKPH F. PEHKIN.S is one of the substan- 
tial farmers and stock-raisers of Van Buren 
Countj'.his home being in Bonaparte. In pre- 
senting his sketch to the readers of the Aliu.m 
we record not only the life of an honorable pigneer 
but also that of a self-made man whose example of 
industry', enterprise anil zeal can hardly be excelled. 
He overcame the ditlicuUies caused l\y limited ed- 
ucation, surmounted the harriers of poverty and 
working his way upward, step by step, at length 
reached a pi)sition of aftluence. 

Mr. Perkins was born in Pocahontas County. \'a., 
.Inly 21, 1.SU!, and bt'longed to a familj' number- 
ing four sons and four daughters, the parents be- 
ing Francis and Mary Perkins, who were also 
natives of the Olil Dominion. K;ii/,abeth, his eld- 
est sister died in California; Joseph, is the second 
in order of birth; Robert, makes his home in Cali- 
fornia: William die<l in \&n Huren County; I)or- 
atliea became the wife of B. F. Myer, and died 
in Oregon; F>veline, widow of Charles Flowers, is 
living in California: deorge W.. makes his home 
in New Castle, Cal,; Hebecca, is the wife of (ieorge 
W. Cavitt who is living near Sacramento City; and 
Mary Frances died in \'irginia in youth. In l«l.'! 



Mr. Perkins came with his family to \'an Buren 
County, but his death occurred], three years later. 
In politics he was a .Jackson Democrat and served 
as Clerk of the court in his native State. During 
the War of 1812 he entered the service but while 
on his way to the frrjut. hostilities were brougiit to 
a close. After the death of her husband Mrs. Per- 
kins went to California where she spent her last 
days. 

The subject of this sketch, Joseph F. Perkins, 
was reared, until seventeen years of age. in his ni- 
tive State and as his family were in limited circum- 
stances his educational ail vantages were not of the 
best. Experience and observation, however, have 
been to him excellent teachers and he has stored 
away a fund of useful information, practical in char- 
acter, which he would probably not have acquired 
had he been enabled to attend school more regularly. 
In 1832, at the time of llie BLack Hawk War, he 
went to Cincinnati, Ohio, but cholera was preval- 
ent in the cit}' at that time and he cohtinuetl on to 
Lima. Ind. On his twentieth birthday, the 13th of 
June, 18.3fi, he arrived in Van Buren County, which 
then formed a part of the Territory of Wisconsin. 
At that time the entire filiate was but little in- 
habited and its bright future could have never been 
been dreamed of, much less realized. In fact, it 
was thought to lie almost beyond the borders of 
civilization. Such men as Mr. Perkins, who were 
among the early comers and bore the hardships 
and privations of pioneer life, laid the foundation 
for its present prosperity and to them we owe un- 
bf)uuded gratitude. The land was unsurveyed and 
in Vtm Buren County there were only a few houses, 
situated along the river. Mr. Perkins made a claim 
in Farmington Township, near Bonaparte, and when 
the land came into market went to Burlington in 
18.31) and secured the title, p.iying $1.25 per acre 
for sixty-three .acres, which he made by working 
for William Meek at sevent3^-five cents per day. 
To this he has since added by suljsequent purchase 
until now a highly cultivated farm of four hun- 
dred acres pays a gohlen tribute to the care and la- 
bor which he bestows i\\nm it. The entire amourit 
is under fence and there are seen all modern im- 
provements. 

.Mr. Perkins has been twice married. The 3-ear 



;i 1 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



succecdiDg his arrival in this county he was joined 
in wedlocit witli Miss Klizn Maxwell and unto them 
were born two chlldrfn who lived to adult age, 
iianii'ly: Mary 1'., wife of .loliii \i. Edwards, a res- 
ident of IJonaparte; and Joseph W., who malies liis 
home in Ketehiim. Idaho. The death of the mother 
occurred in 1844 and for a second wife Mr. Perkins 
chose Miss Eliza Myers. Their union was blessed 
with seven children, four of whom are living — 
."^aruh. who married Andrew Petrie of Van Buren 
County; Robert who died at the age of twen- 
ty-four years; William, of Van Buren County; 
.lames, who is eng.iged in farming: Jane deceased 
wife of Thomas B. Johnson; Ellen, who married 
Noah Moler; and Allen, who is also living in 
Van Buren County. Mrs. Perkins was called 
to her last rest in 1 885 and her death was the 
occasion of deep regret on the part of many friends. 
In connection with the cultivation of his land 
Mr. Perkins devotes considerable attention to 
stock-raising, making a specialty of horses, lie has 
some ver^' fine animals on his farm of tlie Norman 
Clyde and Morgan breeds. In political sentiment, 
Mr. Perkins is a Democrat, and a stanch supporter 
of party principles. Though seventy-five years 
of age he is fresh in appearance, active in move- 
ment and bright in intellect. 



,&-^^^^^^ 



< » ILLIA.M n. 1 LKMI.Nt;. Clerk of liie courts 
%k'// **^^'*" Buren County, has been connected 
V^ with that position either as superior officer 
or as deputy for eleven years. He is a resident of 
Keosauqua and is numbered among its representa- 
tive and influential citizens. Mr. Fleming was 
born in Franklin County, Pa., on the 30th of De- 
cember. 1H.38, and is a son of Charles and Mar- 
garet (Bogg^■) Fleming. In his boyhood he mani- 
fested a spirit of perseverance and energy which 
have been among his important characteristics 
llirougliout life. Not content with the limited 
educational advantages wliicli he had received, he 
set to work to acquire the money with which to 
continue his studies, and in that manner paid his 



tuition in an academj', where he became proBcleut 
in all the English branches. He then turned his 
attention to school teaching, and was quite success- 
ful in the prosecution of that profession, but aban- 
doned it at the breaking out of the late* war. 

Among the first to respond to the President's 
call for troops to put down the rebellion in its in- 
fancy, was William Fleming. Hardly had the guns 
of Ft. Sumter ceased their reverberations uutil, 
as a member of Company D, Twenty-fifth Ohio In- 
fantrj", he donned the blue. The date of his en- 
listment was April 27,1861, and, with his regiment, 
he was mustered into service at Columbus, Ohio, 
where the troops remained a short time, after which 
they were forwarded to West Virginia. Their first 
dutj- was the guarding of the Baltimore it Ohio 
Railroad near Grafton, and the first engagement 
in which they participated occurred at Briar Hill, 
opposing the rebel forces under Gen. Lee. About 
this time Company D was transferred to the 
Twelfth Independent Ohio Battery ; in fact, it be- 
came the nucleus of the same. At its organization 
Mr. Fleming was commissioned Second Lieutenant, 
and soon afterward was promoted to be First Lieu- 
tenant. This batter}' participated in a number of 
important engagements, including the battles of 
Franklin and Jackson and the second battle of Bull 
Run, where it took the field one hundred and fif- 
ty-live strong, but returned with only sixty men. 
Besides this great loss of life all their horses and 
guns were captured. With his command, Mr. Flem- 
ing fought at the battles of Fredericksburg and 
Chancellorsville, after which, in the winter of 
18C3, he resigned on account of ill-health. As soon 
as he had somewhat regained his usual strength, he 
once more enlisted as a private in his former com- 
mand, joining the battery at Nashville, Tenn., 
whence the forces were sent to Murfreesboro, 
where they remained until the close of the war, 
being mustered out of service on the HHh of July, 
1865. 

On the cessation of hostilities and the restora- 
tion of peace to the country, Mr. Fleming returned 
to his home in Ohio, but in the spring of 1867 
came to Van Buren County, Iowa, locating in 
Milton, where he followed his old profession of 
teaching. Some twelve years later he abandoned that 




WILLIAM BARKER. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALUUM. 



21: 



pursuit, liaving lieeii appointed, in January, 1879, 
to tiie position of Deput}' Clorlv of the Court, under 
.I;inn>s;Gillt'spie. For six 3'ears he held that ofHee 
and tlicn received the nomination for Clerk of the 
Court, to which he has tliree times been elected, 
and when his present term shall have expired will 
have been connected with the office for tvyelve 
years, a fact which certainly indicates that his 
duties have ever been discharged in a prompt and 
faithful manner and to the satisfaction of all con- 
cerned. He attends to his business in a (piiet and 
unassuming manner, but through his fidelity to 
every trust has won hosts of friends. Socially, he 
is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging 
to Keosauqua Lodge, No. Id, A. F. & A. M., and 
to Moore Chapter, No. 28, R. A. M, 

On the 11th of March, L872, in V.an Buren 
County, Mr. Fleming was united in marriage with 
Miss Florence Kent, daughter of Daniel Kent, of Ft. 
Ma()ison. The^- have now a family of three chil- 
dren living, two sons anil one daughter — Carl, 
Craig and Ktliel. 



— sJR^ 



-er- 



UILLIAM ANDER.SON BARKER, who 
since 1839 has been a resident of Van 
T/ w lUiren Count}-, now resides on section G, 
Van ISurcn Township, in a magnificent home, where 
comforts and luxuries abound as the I'esult of his 
own enterprise and industry. Ills occupation is 
that of farming and stock-raising, and by the exer- 
cise of good business principles he has become one 
of the substantial citizens of the community. The 
history of his life is as follows. 

Mv. Harki'r was born on the 3d of Jidy, 183.!. in 
Carroll County, Ohio, being the sixth child of .Jo- 
seph and Anna (Manchester) Barker. We have no 
authentic record concerning the early history of 
the family. His father, however, was a native of 
Washington County, Pa., where he grew to man- 
hood receiving a limited education as far as schools 
were concerned, but by self culture he became a 
well-informed iumu. lie learned the carpenter's 
trade in his y<uth :irid followeil that occupation as 



a means of livelihood until lie had accumulated 
enough to purchase a farm, when he turned his at- 
tention to agricultural jjursuits, continuing that 
business during the remainder of his life. When 
about twenty-one years of age he left his native 
State and removed to Ohio, where he shortly after- 
ward married Miss Anna Manchester, who was born 
in 1808, and was the daughter of Joseph and Sarah 
Manchester. The fruits of this union were seven- 
teen children, fourteen of whom grew to maturit}', 
while ten of the number are still living. Alfred, 
the eldest, died in infancy; Eunice died at the age 
of seventeen years; Elizabeth died aged five years; 
Eliza J. became the wife of Henry Shaffer, and 
<iied in Davis County, Iowa, about 185,7, leaving 
two children; IMrs. ^Slary Hootman, of Van Buren 
Township, is the mother of ten children; AV. A., of 
this sketch is the next younger; Mrs. Hannah Sher- 
od died in 18G3, leaving three children; Almira, 
now Mrs. Freshwaters, is living in Van Buren 
County; Mrs. Isabel Calhoun, makes her home in 
Birmingham, I'nion Township. \'an Buren County; 
Mrs. Sarah Smith, now a widow, is living in Van 
Buren Township; Arnold C. is engaged in farming 
in Washington Township; Joseph A. died in Leba- 
non, Mo., while in the United States' service in 
18G3; John S. is engaged in farming in Davis 
Cf)unty; Catharine is the wife of William Butt, nf 
Lick Creek Township; Maria T. is the wife of L. 
Shcrod, of Union Township, and Hugh B. is a mer- 
chant of Ml. Zion. and another died in infancy. 

The father of this family, .Joseph Barker, is 
numbered among the pioneer settlors of Van Buren 
County of 1839, in which year he and his family 
took up their residence upon a farm of one hun- 
dred and sixty acres of (Tovernment land which he 
had entered. He became one of the jirominent citi- 
zens of the comninnity, and took an active part in 
both politics and church work. In 185i he iden- 
tified himself with the Reiiublican party and con- 
tinued one of its stanch supporters until his death. 
He was also a zealous member of the Presbj'terian 
Church. He died in November, 1882, at the age 
of eighty-three years. His wife, whose death oc- 
cured the year previous, was a devout Christian 
woman and a follower of the Calvanist doctrine. 
Amid the wild scenes of pioneer life W. A. Bar- 



218 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



ker was reared to manhood. Ilis advantages were 
necessarily limited and he was obliged to assist in 
the arduous labors of farm life in those early days. 
I'lum IHIU until 18r)4, during tlie winter seasons, 
hi- attended school in a log scliooUiouse, and at 
the age of twenty started out in life for himself. 
The discovery of gold in California had awakened 
liopes in his breast and with the desire of rapidly 
acquiring wealth he crossed the jjlains to the 
tioliliMi State. He gave a cow and $1.5 in cash for 
the iirivilege of driving an ox-team, and was six 
months in making the trip. He remained on the 
Pacific Slope until November, 1859, engaged in 
raining and farming, but not meeting witii the suc- 
cess he anticipated he decided to return. Once more 
he rcsun)cd farming in Van Buren County, and dur- 
iu" the thirty-one years which have since elapsed 
has continued that occupation. His first purchase 
t.f land consisted of an eighty-acre tract only par- 
tially improved, upon which he raised corn and 
ho^s, but the boundaries of his farm have since 
been extended until he now owns eight hundred 
and fifty acres, the greater part of which is situated 
in one body. For the past five years he has engaged 
in sheep-raising, keeping on hand an average of 
about oiglit huntlred head of a good grade. He 
also raises horses, cattle and hogs, and no inferior 
animal will be seen in the whole lot. He lakes a 
pride in raising fine stock, and has done not a little 
to advance the grades of stock in this county. As be- 
fore intimated, he has met with success in his under- 
takings and in llie years of industry and ceaseless 
activity which have passed since his return from 
California, lie has worked his way upward to a po- 
sition of wealth and allluence. As a citizen, he is 
highly esteemed and is regarded as a leading mem 
ber of the Republican party in this community. 
Ibit notwithstanding he has over felt a deep inter- 
est in the success and welfare of the party he has 
never aspired to official distinction, preferring to 
devote his lime and attention to liis business inter- 
ests. 

In 18G0 Mr. Barker married Miss Rebecca D., 
daughter of Wesley and Sarah (Sherod) True, both 
of whom were natives of Ohio. Her mother died 
when she was an infant but her f.ather is still living 
and makes his home in Mi:imi County, Kan. By 



their union there have been bom ten children, seven 
of whom are yet living: Frank, born in 1861, died 
at the age of fourteen months; Zora, horn in 18C3, 
is at home; Etna L., born in 1864, is the wife of 
T. L. Workman, of Van Buren Township, and the 
mother of two children — Blanclie and Hazel; Delia, 
born in 1866, is still with her parents; Walter G., 
born in 1809, died at the age of two years; Lelia 
O. was born in 1871 ; Bessie L., in 1873; Wilda A., 
in 187() ; William W.. in 1878; Claude, who was 
born in 1883 and died in 1888, completes the fam- 
ily. Mr. and Mrs. Barker, together with several of 
their cliildrcn, are members of the Presbyterian 
Church, of Mt. Zion, in which the father holds the 
office of Klder. He gives liberally to the support 
of the church, is an active worker for its interests, 
and is also a warm friend to the cause of education. 
The home of this famil}', whose members we have 
just individually mentioned, is probably the finest 
in Van Buren County. The large and elegant brick 
dwelling, which is neat and tasty in architectural 
designs and elegant in finish, and which is also 
furnished handsomely, though not gaudily, is sur- 
rounded by a large an<l nell-kept lawn and beauti- 
ful shade trees. Outlying buildings indicate that 
ample provision has been made for the care of the 
stock, and the farm may truly be called a model 
one. 




? NTHONY T. PREWITT, deceased, was a 
native of Kentucky, his birth having oc- 
I'i curred on the 2oth of October, 1810. 
While growing to manhood he learned 
the tanner's trade and worked thereat until he came 
AVest. Prior to leaving his native State he was 
united in marriage with Sophrona J. Latimer, and, 
accompanied by his young bride, emigrated to Lee 
County, Iowa, in a very earl^- day. About 1843 
they removed to Van Buren County-, where Mrs. 
Prewitt died November 9, 1845, leaving four chil- 
dren to mourn her loss, namely: Goldson, who is 
engaged in carpentering; James D., a farmer by 
occupation; Sarah J., wife of James Stuckey; and 
Ann M., wife of C. C. Reynolds. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



2ia 



On the 14lh of October, 1846, Mr. Prewitt was 
again married, his second union being with Nancy 
C, daughter of James and Mary A. (Miller) Rut- 
ledge, both of nhoiu were of Southern birth, the 
former born May 11, 1781, and the latter October 
21, 1787. The place of their nativity is not cer- 
tainly known, butthe\' lived in South Carolina and 
Georgia, prior to emigrating to Pike County, III. 
About 1824 they removed to Sangamon, now Me- 
nard County, 111., where Jlr. Rutledge built and 
operated a mill for some time. He afterward kept 
a tavern in New Salem and subsequently settled 
on a farm, where he died December 3. 1835. He 
and his wife were members of the Cumberland 
Presbyterian Church, and were intelligent and in- 
dustrious citizens, well respected by all. Their 
family numbered nine children, as follows: Jane 
O., John M., Anna Mayes, David H., Robert 15., 
Nancy C, Margaret A., William B. and Saraii F. 
The third child, known in history as Ann Rut- 
ledge, w.as the lady to whom President Lincoln was 
engaged, and whose death, at the age of twenty- 
three, spread such a gloom over the j'oung lawyer's 
life. In 1838 Mrs. Rutletlge, with six of her chil- 
dren, removed to Van Buren County, Iowa, locat- 
ing near the Jefferson County line. She died in 
liirmingham, that county, December 26, 1878, 
being over ninety -one years of age at the time of 
her death. 

Mrs. Prewitt was born in White County. 111., on 
the lOth of Fehruar}', 1821, and, with her family, 
settled in Van Buren County, as above stated. 
After her marriage she lived on the farm in that 
county, making it her borne until 1880, when she 
became a resident of Fairfield, which is still her 
home. 

The death of Mr. Prewitt occurred on the 9lh 
of February, 1864, and was the cause of deep re- 
gret tiiroughout the entire communit}'. He was a 
man that looked with wistful eyes to the moral 
advancement of the community and in ever^' way 
possible aided in the triumph of right over wrong. 
He served as an Elder in the Cumberland Presby- 
terian Church and made his religion a part of his 
life. I\)liticall3-. he was a Republican, but he loved 
the quiet of his home umrc tlian the excitement of 
a public career, and in consequence never sought 



political distinction. He was not of a grasping dis- 
[)osition. but always strove to make his family 
comfortable, and was ever ready to lend a helping 
hand to those in need. 

The rearing and educating of the children fell 
largely upon Mrs. Tiewitt, who tenderly and care- 
fully performed the duty thus left to her. The 
record of her children, four in number, is as fol- 
lows; David, the eldest, died at the age of twenty- 
four years, leaving a wife and two children; Mary 
K. died in infancy; Anthony M. is a minister of 
the Cumberland I'resbyterian Church, now engaged 
in pastoral work in California; .and William S., an 
expert stenographer, is court reporter for the dis- 
trict. Mrs. Prewitt and her youngest son are mem- 
bers of the Cumberland I'resbyterian Church. 




OBERT MEEK is numbered among the 
honored pioneer settlers of Van Buren 
County, Iowa, and well deserves represen- 
tation in this volume for he has been prom- 
inently identified with the growth and iii)building 
of the county and the advancement of its interests. 
By written record we can perpetuate the memorj' 
of the founders of the count}' and make them and 
their lives known to coming generations who, with 
gratitude, shoulil honor them for the noble work 
which they have performed. 

Robert Meek was born in AVayne County, Ohio 
on the 2.5lh of .lanuary, 1815, and there spent the 
first fourteen years of his life. He then accompanied 
his i)arents on their emigration to St. Joseph, Mich. 
Near tlial city his father lairl out the town of Con- 
stantine. In 1835, incom|)any with his father, and 
brother, Johnson Meek, he went on a prospecting 
lour to the South, visiting in Louisiana and Texas, 
but the latter was overrun with brigands, and 
not caring to make a location in the former, they 
returned to the North anil in 1836 visited Lee 
County. Iowa, where Johnson made a location. 
Although the county was then in its infancy' it I'ave 
IMomise of vapid growth and development, and 
Mr. Meek determined hereto locate, so after se- 



220 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Iccting land, in the spring of 1837, he retraced his 
stejjs'to St. .Joseph, Mich., in order to remove with 
tlie family to their new home. With the exception 
of one son, .Johnson, ail came to Van Huren County, 
Iowa, and with the history of this community the 
name of Meek has since been inseparably con- 
nected. The family located in what is now llie town 
of Bonaparte, but the place had not then been 
fdunded. The county was wild, contained but few 
settlers and the greater part of the land was still in 
its primitive condition. The first meal of victuals 
our subject ate was in the home of James Jordan, 
and at the same table sat the celebrated Indian chief. 
Black Hawk. 

Koliert Meek w.is three times married. In 1838 
he was joined In wedlock with Miss Mai-y Ann Al- 
len, and of their union were born four children, 
three of whom lived to mature j'ears. Elizabeth 
Ann, born in 1839, is the wife of Joseph Sanders, 
of Biinaparte; Sarah Jane is the wife of J. F. Leach, 
of Milton. \'an Buren County; and Alvira, who 
became the wife of J. W. Miller, died at her home 
in this county in 1884. The mother of this family 
went to her final rest October 3, 184.5, and for his 
second wife Mr. Meek chose Miss Nancy Flint, a 
native of New York. Their union was blessed 
with four children, two sons and two daughters, but 
one of the latter died in infancy. Alinda P. is the 
wife of S. E. Foster, of Jackson Township, Van 
Buren County; William married Miss Alice Sharp, 
who died leaving two children, Alden and Eflie, 
and for his second wife wedded Miss Maggie M. 
Johnson, by whom he had four children — Shirley, 
Charlotte, Georgia and William. This family now 
resides in Denver, Col. K. Flint married Bliss 
(Jertie Christy, who is now deceased, and unto 
them were born four sons, of whom three are living 
— Carl. Harry and H. Guy. Mrs. Nancy Meek 
died .lune 1. 18.53. and a third time Mr. Meek was 
Miairied, lliiit union lieing with Mrs. AbJnail P. 
Barber, widow of Dudley C. Barber. She was born 
in St. Lawrence County N. Y., and by her second 
union became the mother of four children — Alma 
I., who died at the age of five years; Lewis Cass, 
of Bonaparte; Robert K., who is living in this 
county; and Oscar L., of Polk County, Iowa. 

Robert Meek, whose name heads this sketch, w»s 



identified with man3- of the leading interests of 
Van Buren County. Being among its earliest set- 
tlers, he shared in the trials and hardships of pio- 
neer life. He made his home in the community 
when the Indians far outnumbered his white neigh- 
bors, when wild animals, such as wolves, were fre- 
quently seen and when deer and other wild game 
was found in al)undance. The growth of the 
county he witnessed, watching its transformation 
from an unbroken wilderness to a tract of rich fer- 
tility-, whose well-cultivated farms are equal to any 
in the State. He saw the pioneer log cabins re- 
placed by commodious and substantial residences, 
villages transfonne<1 into cities and towns springing 
up on every hand, while churches and schools have 
been built, thus showing the onward march of 
civilization. 



^^ 



-^ 



ellARLES P. ? 
County, has L 
since 1883, ai 



IIARLES P. SIPPEL, of Fairfield, Jefferson 
been Clerk of the District Court 
and during the seven years in 
wiiich' he has discharged the duties of that office, 
has won hosts of friends, alike for his courteous 
treatment and the able manner in which he fills the 
position. He is of German birth, and a son of Jus- 
tus P. and Gertrude (Dippel) Sippel, who were also 
natives of the same country', and passed their en- 
tire lives in that land. 

Our subject was born on the 3d of March, 1841, 
in Ilesse-Cassel, Germany, and when a lad of six- 
teen years, bidding good by to home and father- 
land, he sailed for the New W^orld, determined to 
try his fortune in the countr}- of whose prospects 
and oi)portunities he had so often heard. He spent 
the succeeding year after his arrival in New York, 
and then went to Lebanon County, Pa., where he 
remained until the war. The condition of the slaves 
in the South appealed to his sympathies, and seeing 
that his country's honor and freedom were im- 
periled, he resolved to strike a blow in her defense. 
Enlisting in September. 1861, he was assigned to 
Company G, of the Ninety-third Pennsylvania In- 
fantry, and served for three years, receiving his dis- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



221 



charge in Septemher, 1.S64. Soon after liis enlist- 
nieiit he was made First Ser<reant, and on the 27th 
of Decenilier, li^G2, was comiuissioned Captain of 
Company (•, vvith wliich lie continiu'<l until mus- 
tered out of tlio servife. His coniUKind bceanio a 
part of the Army of tlu' Potomac, .-uid with that 
force |)arlicipatcd in many important battles, in- 
cluding tlie engagements at Fair Oaics, Anlictani, 
Fredericksburg, Seven Days Battle of the Wilder- 
ness, and tlie iiard fought battle of (iettysburg. He 
was also under lire in most of the engagements from 
that time until the siege of Petersburg, including 
the battles of the Shenandoah Valley, the engage- 
ment at Winchester, September U), 18G4, and the 
liattle of Fisher's Hill on the 21st of September. 
Nine days later, his term having expired, he was 
mustered out of the service. He was once slightly 
wounded, during the battle of Spottsylvania Court 
House, INIay 12, 1864, but otherwise escaped unin- 
jured. He was always found at his post, leading 
his men where duty called, and proved his lo3'alty 
to his adopted land by his faithfulness, heroism and 
braver}'. 

On Ills return from the South, Mr. Sippel again 
located in Lebanon Ct)untj', Pa., where he contin- 
ued to make his home until the spring of 1869. 
That year witnessed his arrival in Jefferson County, 
and, embarking in farming, he continued that pur- 
suit in Polk Township until 1879, when he was ap- 
pointed Deputj' Clerk of the District Court. Three 
j-ears later, in the fall of 1882, he was elected to his 
present position, and entered upon the duties of 
his office January 1, 1883. Thrice has he been re- 
elected, and at the expiration of his present terra 
will have held the ollice eight years. Faithful to 
every trust reposed in him, he has merited the con- 
fidence of the people, and has proved a worthy offi- 
cial. 

In this county, on the 21st of September, 1871, 
Mr. Sippel led to the marriage ullar Miss Sarah J. 
Leisure, a daughter of James M. Leisure, and a na- 
tive of Greenfield, Ind. Three children have been 
born of their union, one son and two daughters: 
Maggie G., wife of A. l'. Cornell, of Fairfield; 
James Adolph and Lula, who are still at home. The 
parents and oldest daughter are members of the 
Christian Church, and the family is highly regarded 



by those who know them. In political sentiment. 
Mr. Sippel is a Republican. Me takes great interest 
in civic societies, and is an inlluential member of 
several lodge organizations, including the Masonic, 
the Odd Fellows, the Knights of Pythias, and the 
Oriind Army Post. His membership is with Clin- 
ton Lodge, No. lo, A. F. i A. M.; Jefferson Lodge. 
No. 4, 1. O. O. F. ; Forest City Lodge, No. 37, K. 
of P.; and George Strong Post, No. 19, G. A. R. 



-^^ 



AVID WALLACE TEMPLETON, a grain 
dealer of Fairfield, claims Ohio as the State 
of his nativity, his birth having occurred in 
F"ayette County, on the 6th of February, 1828. 
The family is originally of SccHch origin, but the 
grandfather of our subject, David Tcmpleton, was 
born in the North of Ireland, and wlien a lad of 
nine years accompanied his parents to America, 
locating in Chester County, Pa. He aided his 
adopted country in her struggle for Independence, 
and afterward became a resident of Washington 
County, Pa., whence he removed to F'ayette 
County, Ohio. Robert R. Templcton, the father of 
David Wallace, was born in Washington Count}', 
Pa., in 1794, and at the age of eighteen years we 
find him in the Buckeye State, where he became 
acquainted with and married Miss Jane Beatty, a 
native of Northumberland County, Pa. Her birth 
occurred in the same year in which her husband 
was born, and during her girlhood she accompa- 
nied her parents to Fairfield County, Ohio. After 
their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Templeton made a 
location in Fayette County, Ohio, and there lived 
during the remainder of their lives. He was an in- 
dustrious and enterprising man, and in the Buckeye 
State developed and improved an excellent farm. 
In his political affiliations he was first a Whig, later 
a Free-soiler, and on the organization of the Repub- 
lican party he joined its ranks. Both he and his 
wife were members of the Presbyterian Church. 
The husband died in 1882. h.aving survived Mrs. 
Templcton eleven years. Of their family of eight 
chililren, which numbered four sons and four 



222 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



daughters, the sons and one daughter, are yet liv- 
ing — John B., a farmer of Kan-ias; Robert R., who 
is engaged In ngriculluial pursuits in Nebrasita; 
■lames C, who is similarly employed in Ohio; and 
Kllza .)., wife of .1. C. :\IcCoy, of Washington, 
Ii)wa. 

David W. Templeton was the fourth in order of 
birth in the family. lie received such opportuni- 
ties as wore afforded farmer lads of that day, ac- 
quiring his primary education in the common 
schools, which he supplemented, after reaching 
manhood, by a course of study in Greenfield, Ohio. 
He remained at home and assisteil his father in the 
labors of the farm until he had attained to mature 
years, when he started out in life for himself, de- 
voting Ills time and attention to farm work in tlie 
summer months and to school-teaching in the winter 
season. On the 10th of March, 1858, he was united 
in marriage with Miss iSarah A. Lucas, who was 
born in Highland Count}-, Ohio, Jsovember 6, 
18-'53. Her [laternal grandfather, Isaac Lucas, was 
a prominent citizen both of Massachusetts and 
Ohio. From Plymouth, Mass, accompanied by 
Gen. Putnam, he made his wa} to the Buckej-e 
State and became one of the first settlers of Ma- 
rietta. His son Ezra, the fatiicr of Mrs. Templeton, 
born about 1789, was the first white child born in 
the State, unless we except some Moravian mis- 
sionaries. This people liave been noted for their 
loyalty to the Government. The grandfather was 
a patriotic soldier of the Revolutionary War, 
and his discharge bears the handwriting of Gen. 
"Washington, while the father enlisted and served 
in the War of 1812. He was a farmer by occupa- 
tion, and married Miss McKinzie, and the}' became 
the parents of twelve children, eleven of whom 
grew to mature years. 

Mr. and Mrs. Templeton began their domestic 
life in Payette County, Ohio, where they made 
their lionie for two years, wiien, in 1860. the}- 
came to .lefFcrson County, Iowa, arriving on the 
1st of March. Purchasing a farm of one hundred 
and forty acres, he engaged in its cultivation for 
five years, when he came to Fairfield and embarked 
in the grain business in a small way. Meeting 
with success in his undertaking, he was at length 
enabled in 1871 to erect the first elevator of the 



city, which w!.s built near Ihe (.J depot at a cost 
of about 85,500. Five years later he built the ele- 
vator now owned by Mr. Jordan, the cost of con- 
struction being the same as thai of tiie other. In 
187!) he began operations on the Rock Island Rail- 
road, where a small elevator stood, but increased 
business soon demanded enlarged facilities, and 
tearing down the same, he erected an elevator at 
a cost of *4,500 with storage capacity for twenty- 
five thousand bushels of small grain and twenty 
thousand bushels of corn. 

Mr. Templeton ranks among the substantial and 
representative business men of the county. He 
began life with limited capital, but by the exercise 
of such talents as were given him, he has made his 
career a prosperous one and is now doing a flour- 
ishing business, receiving a handsome income as 
the result of his efforts. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Templeton were born four 
sons, but three of the number died in early chil- 
liood. The only survivor is John E., an employe 
of A. M. Henderson, a commission merchant of 
Chicago. J5otli parents are members of the Con- 
gregational Church, and in his social relations, Mr. 
Templeton is a member of the Ancient Order of 
United Workmen. lie cast his first Presidential 
vote for John P. Hale, and on the organization 
of the Republican party joined its ranks and has 
since continued to fight under its banner. 



ANIEL MENDENHALL, an honored pio- 
neer of Fairfield, Jefferson County, now 
deceased, was born in Guilford County, N. 
C, December 12, 1819, and died at his home in 
this city, on the 9th of November, 1873. respected 
by all who knew him. During his youth he re- 
moved from his native State to Indiana, where on 
the 23d of August, 1841, he was united in marriage 
with Miss Sussannah Pierce, a native of that State, 
and a daughter of John and Anna Pierce.of Wayne 
County. 

The succeeding year Mr. Mendenhall camo with 
his young wife to Iowa with the hope of bettering 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



223 



his financial condition anri providing a comfortable 
home for himself and family. He chose Fairfield as 
the scene of his operations and in a little log house 
which marked the site upon wliich the Prcshyterian 
Church now stands, lie began life on tiie western 
prairies. He was a gunsmith by trade and for a 
number of years did an extensive business in tiiat 
line, as his services were much in dcm.ind in the 
early days when guns were needed to procure the 
wild game whicli would furnish a meal, or for de- 
fense against wild animals, such as wolves, etc., 
which were still seen in the neighborhood. His 
guns gained for him a wide repiitation which ex- 
tended even as far west as California. During the 
period that he worked at his trade, Mr. Menden- 
hall also speculated in wild lands and in that way 
accumulated some capital. On abandoning his 
chosen occupation, he engaged in the commission 
business on the line of what was then called the 
Burlington & Mississippi Railroad, now the Chi- 
cago, Burlington S,' (Juincy. He establishe<l com- 
mission houses at Fairfield, Ottumvva and other 
stations and also along the line of the Des ]\Ioines 
Valley Railroad, now a part of the Rock Island & 
Pacific Rjilroad. Later he was connected with the 
First National Bank as its Vice-President. 

The famih' of Mr. and Mrs. Mendenhall consisted 
of eight children, three sons and five daughters as 
follows: Esther A., born November 22, 1842. is 
the wife of C. F. George of Fairfield; Sarah J., now 
Mrs. C. C. Morris of Fairfield, was born .lamiar}- 17, 
1845; Lewis, born February 20, 1849, is .'i minister 
of the Free Methodist Church and resides in Fair- 
field; William, born .lanuar}' 8. 1 ,s.")2, died at the age 
of four years; Mary E., born August 15, 1855, is the 
deceased wife of J. C. Mount; Annie, born May 15, 
1859, is the wife of Rev. F. F. Hall of Keoknk.lowa; 
Laura, born August 31, 1862, died at the age of 
seventeen years, ami one son died in early infancy*. 

Mr. Mendenhall was a life-long Democrat and 
held some minor offices of public trust. In early 
life he was converteil and joine<l the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, with which he retained member- 
ship until a short time prior to his death, when he 
united with the I-"ree Methodist Church. Industry 
and energy were among his marked characteristics 
and in consequence he was quite successful in his 



business career. He believed that work was the 
golden key which unlocked the door to the fortress 
of success nr.d therefore was never idle. Cpriglit 
and honorable in all his dealings, he took no undue 
advantages but paid to all their just dues and ex- 
pected -like treatment in return. However his 
course was so open and above board that he won the 
confidence and esteem of all. lie never hail any 
litigation but always managed to avoid law suits 
and business complications. He gave largely of 
his means to churches, colleges and public enter- 
prises and being a practical yet progressive man, his 
opinions in such matters carried great weight with 
lliem. 



ETER NESBIT WOODS. .M. I)., .leceased, 
was one of the honored early settlers of Jef- 
ferson County, and one of her ablest physi- 
cians. His friends were many, his enemies 
few and therefore we know that a record of his life 
will be of interest to the readers of this Ai.iuM. He 
was the fifth cliild in a family of eight children 
born until .lames and Hester A. (Blake) Woods, and 
his liirth occurred in Greenville, Stark County, 
Ohio, on the 8th of September, 1821). His paternal 
great-grandfather emigrated from his native land, 
Germany, to America when a youth and during his 
early life settled in Harrisburg, Pa. His father, 
James Woods, was left an orphan at an early age 
and reared by his paternal grandfather. His trade 
w;is that of a gunsmith, to which he sei-ved a term 
of apprenticeshi(), but during the latter years of 
his life he devoted his attention to farming. 

Dr. Woods, the subject of this sketch, was reared 
to manhood under the parental loof but at the .age 
of eighteen years left home to complete his educa- 
tion. B}' teaching he made his way through the 
Vermillion Institute of Hayesville, Ohio, and the 
year 1850-51, he spent as a student in the Ohio 
Wesleyan University. Having made choice of the 
medical profession as a liusiness which he believeil 
would prove both profitable and pleasant, he en- 
tered the office of Dr. O. J. Rotsel, of Rome, Rich- 



224 



rORTUAIT AM) BIOORAIMIICAL ALBUM. 



Iixiifl County, wlierL- Iil' nMiiuiiu-il ilu.i- \tai>. ami ui 
18.j«, was ffraduated from tlif Eclecliu School of 
Medicine, in Cincinnati, Ohio. For one year he 
engnfred in practice as a partner of his preceptor 
who then retired, leavin-f the business in iiischarijc. 

On the 14 til of September, 1855, Ur. Woods was 
joined in wedlock with Miss Mary, (daughter of 
John and Mary (Graham) Wolph, both of whom 
were natives of Pennsylvania, althoui,'h in early 
life they emigrated to Tuscarawas County, Ohio, 
and later in life went to Nebraska, where the death 
of Mr. Wolph occurred at the age of sixty-si.\ 
years, his wife departing this life at the age of 
eighty-three years. Mrs. Woods was the eighth in 
a family of ten children and her birth occurred in 
Richland County, Ohio, November 10, 1832. 

The Doctor and his wife in May, 1856, landed in 
Fairfield and from that lime until his death he had 
an extensive practice in the city and vicinity. In 
1861 he was appointed Medical Examiner of Jef- 
ferson County, under the direction of the War De- 
partment and in September, 1862, was commissioned 
Surgeon of the Twenty-third Iowa Infantry; but to 
accommodate a friend of the Colonel of that regi- 
ment he took the same position in the Thirty-nintl; 
Iowa Infantrj', and was with his command during 
the battles of .lackson, Parker's Cross Roads, Tus- 
cumbia, Bear Creek and Town Creek. In the win- 
ter of 1863, he was made Surgeon-in-Chief of his 
division with headquarters in Pulaski, Tcnn. He 
.•icconipanied Sherman to Atlanta, and in Jul}', 1864, 
was made Surgeon of the Division Hospital, in 
Rome, Ga., having the care of the wounded after 
the battle of Altoona. He then accompanied the 
forces of Sherman on the celebrated March to the 
Sea ami at .Savannah, Ga., was [)ut in charge of a 
branch of the general hospital. After beino- re- 
lieved from that position he was ordered to Blair's 
Landing at Bufonl. S. C, and made Surgeon-in- 
Cliief of Gen. Sherman's ili vision, in which cap.-x- 
city he served until the army was disbanded at 
Raleigh. N. C. In June, 1865. lie was mustered 
out of service, having discharged his duty most 
faithfully. 

No citizen of Fairfield has taken a more active 
interest in her a<ivancenieiit and progress than did 
Dr. Woods. Whatever call of a public nature was 



iiiadf to hiiii. if it was a worthy object, he gave of 
iiis time and means unsparingly. Soon after his 
return from the army he and a brother Imilt the 
Fairlield Woolen Mills, and he held the position of 
Chairman of the Building Committee under whose 
direction the I'nion Sclioolhouse was erected. He 
was a leading Masou and a Past Grand in Odd 
Fellowship. Politically, he was a stanch Republi- 
can and both he and his wife were consistent and 
faithful members of the Methodist Church. He 
was called to the home beyond, on the IDtli of 
March. 1886. As a ph^'sician, he stood at the 
liead of his profession and as a citizen and friend, 
he won the highest esteem. 

His wife and two sons, Dr. Harry E. and George 
C, compose his family. The former was born five 
miles eiist of Fairfield, on the 30tli of April. 1857. 
After attending the city schools, he pursued the 
classical course in Parsons College, from which he 
was graduated in 1 880. Thereupon, he commenced 
the study of his profession with his father and in 
Februaiy, 1883, he graduated from the Rush Med- 
ical College, of Chicago, and engaged in practice 
with his father until that worth}' man was called 
from this life. Save about fifteen months spent in 
Liberty ville, he has since continued praeticeiin this 
city. He is a member of the Jefferson County 
Medical Societ}', and in politics is a Republican. 
Though unostentatious and unassuming. Dr. Woods 
is possessed of a decision and firmness of character 
that makes him especially fitted^for his profession. 



EVI GANTZ, one of the prominent farmers 
I ^ '^^ Black Hawk Township, Jefferson County. 
'1=^ residing on section 32. was born in W.ash- 
inglon County, Pa., September 4, 1832, and was 
the youngest child in a famil}- of four children, 
whose parents were John and Christine (Bruner) 
Gantz. His father owned a mill, a distillery and a 
farm, all of which were operated under his immedi- 
ate supervision. He was a man of great energy 
and, possessing a robust constitution, accomplished 
a great amount of work. He met his death in l^'S.'J 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALIU'M. 



225 



by falling tbrough the hatcliwaj- in the roof of Uie 
mill. His wife survived him many 3"cars and 
ahout 1839, was again married. Her dcalii oc- 
cMirred near the close of the late war. The ohililren 
(if her first marriage were David, who enliste<l in 
the Thirtieth Iowa Regiment and died in the serv- 
ice; Sarah, widow of Edward Van Kirk, of Penn- 
svlvanin; Samuel, a miller of Washington CoHnt3% 
Pa.; and Levi, of tliis sketch. 

The last named child, our subject, was a babe of 
six months when the death of his father occurred. 
In bis youth he was inured to farm labor and when 
a lad of sixteen years he began life for himself as 
a farm lian<L receiving as a compensation for his 
services the meagre sum of $10 per month. After 
working in that capacitj- for six years, at the age 
of twenty-two, he was united in marri.age witli Mi<s 
Sarah Pall, a native of Pennsylvania, and the fol- 
lowing spring came to Iowa to seek a location for 
a home. He entered land in Madison County', but 
drcided to remain in Pennsylvania, where he soon 
afterward purchased a farm and then sold his Iowa 
property-. However, in 1858, we again find him 
en route for Iowa accompanied bj- his wife and 
chilihi'ii. It was his intention to make a location 
in Madison County, but on account of the mud, 
traveling was made so diflicult that he stopped in 
Jefferson County. After renting land for two or 
llirce years he bought a quarter section in Black 
Hawk Township, upon which bad been built a frame 
house while ninety acre.s were fenced. Then began 
the work of developing and improving a farm, and 
as bis financial resources were increased, he ex- 
tended the boundaries of his land until five hun- 
dred acres now pay tribute to his c.tre and 
cultivation, and he is recognized as one of the 
leading and progressive farnurs of the community. 
His home, a commodious dwelling valued at *3,000 
is surrounded by good barns and outbuildings, and 
all this splendid success is due to the energy and en- 
terprise of a man who started out in life a penniless 
boy. In connection with general farming he al.-<o 
devotes considerable attention to stock-raising. 
making a specialt}' of the breeding of fine cattle, 
and his horses are also of goo<l grades. 

I'nto Mr. and Mrs. Gantz have been born eight 
children — lohu Andrew, who is now engaged in 



farming in Black Hawk Township, Jefferson 
County; William, who died at the age of fourteen 
years; Annie Jane, wife of Kd Hewitt, of Fairfield 
Township; Laura, who graduated from Parsons' 
College of Fairfield, and is now a successful teacher 
in the county ; Ella, wife of Ed Lyons, a resident 
fa''mer of Black Hawk Township; Ida May, who 
completed the i)reparatory course in Parsons Col- 
lege and is a musician of considerable ability; 
James, who died in infancy; and Effic, who is also 
qualified as a teacher. As will have been seen, the 
children have all been provided with good educa- 
tional .vlvantages, thus being fitted for the duties 
of life and all are now useful members of society 
in the various communities where they make their 
homes. 

Although a strong advocate of Republican prin- 
ciples, Mr. Gantz does not possess that partisan 
spirit which so largely predominates in this day. 
He has never accepted |)ubllc office, preferring to 
devote his time and attention to his business in- 
terests, of which he has made a decided success. 
By his fellow-men he is honored and respected as a 
citizen and neighbor, and in the social world his 
famil}- occupies a high position. 



ylLLIAM R. BLOS.S, one of the oldest car- 
penters in years of experience, in Fairfield, 
^ ^ was born in Rockingham County. Va., De- 
cember 3. 1822, and claims an almost pure Ger- 
manic origin. His parents, Conrad and JIargaret 
(Reinhardt) P>loss, were both horn in the Shenan- 
doah X'alley, in Virginia, the father in 1797, the 
mother in 1805. His maternal grandfather owned 
a powder mill, and during the War of 1812, made 
powder for the United States troops. About is-2,s. 
Conrad Bloss and wife removed from \'irginia to 
Ohio, locating in Preble County, where he followed 
farming until his emigration to Iowa. In 1H3.'). he 
made a tour westward, visiting several of the coun- 
ties in this State, but making no location. .Sixteen 
years later he and all his f;imily went to Des .Moines 
County, ini|>r<)Vcil a f:irm. -.nd there lived cntil 



226 



PORTRAIT AM) BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



alioiil 1863, wlicii he Ciinio lo Faiifielil, wlu-ro lie 
spent his last days. He .lied al ilie age of eighty, 
after suffering eighteen years with rheiinialisni, the 
last nine of which he was entirely helpless. His 
wife is still living in Fnirfield al the advanced age 
of eighty-five years, hut is very much enfeebled liy 
paralysis, of which she has iiad two attacks. Both | 
were zealous members of the Methodist Church fur 
many years, and it was their daily endeavor to fol- 
low in the footsteps of liiin whom they acknowl- 
edged as their .Saviour. There is a remarkable fact 
connected with their family, which consisted of 
eight daughters and three sons, all being yet alive 
save the youngest, who <lie(l at the age of forty 
years. 

William R. Bloss is the eldest of the family. He 
was reared to farm life, and as al an early age he 
had to aid in the supiiort of his younger brothers 
anil sisters, he had bui little time to devole to edu- 
cation. Only a few months was he perniilted to 
devote to study, and that in the old time subscrip- 
tion schools. Like a dutiful son. he gave his .ser- 
vices to his father until he had attained to mature 
years, when he began work in his own interests. 
Learning the carpenter's trade, he worked at the 
game for ^8 per month until 1H48, when he came 
to Iowa, and located a land warrant of the Mexivnn 
War. in I'enn Township, .lefferson County. He then 
resumed his labors as a carpenter, but while en- 
gaged in work, by accident he cut his knee, and 
was unable to do anything through the winter. 
Thoroughly discouraged, he started for Ohio, bid- 
ding, as he supposed, an everl.nsling farewell to 
Iowa, but on reaching Ohio, the old Slate seemed 
,80 rough and uninviting, that he accompanied the 
family to Des Moines Count3'. in IHoL His lirst 
work was to build a house on his father's place, af- 
ter which he secured a fair share of the work to be 
(lone in the neighborhood. After four j-ears spent 
in Des Moines CVumly. he came to Fairfield in 18.")5, 
and has here eng.aged in carpenter work continu- 
ously since.. His first labt)rs in this city w-as to 
build the Henn House, n^w the home of the Prrsi- 
dent of Parson's College. He also erected Risk's, 
Bright's and Steele's business blocks, and lias done 
the stair work on some of the finest residences in 
the city, being accounted a superior workman in 



that line. He is indeed |)io!icient in ail branches of 
the business, and well deserves the trade which is 
given him. 

In Des Moines County, in March, 1857, Mr. Bloss 
wedded Mrs. Mar^' Robinson, a native of Ohio. Her 
maiden name was Colebv, and by her first marriage 
she iiad one son. Frank Roliiuson. By her second 
union were born four children: Estella, deceased 
wife of A. Kendall; Harry, who is employed on the 
railroad; Elizabeth, who died at the age of three 
years; and A\illiani IL, who is employed in the 
Fairfield Furniture Factory. In 1870, the mother 
of this family died, and three years later Mr. Bloss 
married Miss Mary E. Hayes, a native of Mary- 
land. She is a member of the Presbyterian Church, 
and Mr. Bloss is a member of the Methodist Church, 
lo whicli his first wife also belonged. Since 1886, 
he has in connection with his other business, car- 
ried on a greenbouse, the best in the city. He has 
lived some thirty-five years in Fairfield, where he 
has a pleasant home, and is in comfortable circum- 
stances. He cast his first Presidential vote for Van 
Buren, and continued to siip|)ort the Democratic 
party until 1881, since which time he has voted 
with the Prohibition party. 



— :>'>^Vt^;|t)<^- 



AVID H.STEVER, M. D., one of the oldest 
practicing physicians now in F'airfield, Jef- 
ferson County, was born near this city, 
September 16, 184.5, and is a son of Adam 
and Elizabeth ( Parks) Stever. The family is of 
German origin. The paternal grandparents of our 
subject were founders of the family in this country. 
Emigrating fioiii Cicrmany. they settled in Berks 
County. Pa., where the husband engaged in farm- 
ing. On that old homestead Adam Stever was 
born. In his youth he learneil the gunsmith's trade, 
which he followed during the greater part of his 
life, though he also carried on farming. In the 
family is preserved a rifle that he made, a sample 
of his workmanship. With his parents he removed 
to Huntingdon County, Pa., where he became ac- 
quainted with and wedded Miss Parks, a native of 




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



227 



MarylanfL born on tlie 3d of August, 1803. Her 
t'allii'i- was of (lerman descent, and lier motlier of 
Scold) origin. Li an early day, lier family also lie- 
oanie residents of lliinlingdon County, Pa. In 1844, 
the Doctor's parents, with the view of bettering 
their financial condition, came to the West, and se- 
lecting .Iil'fcrson County, Iowa, as a favorable lo- 
cation, entered land a mile west of Fairfield. Ipon 
that farm. .Mr. Slcver resided until his doalli, which 
occurred in the iiH)nth of August, 1858. He was a 
successful farmer, ami succeeded in acquiring four 
hundred and twenty acres of land which paid to 
him a golden tribute for the care and labor he be- 
stowed upon it. Politically, he was a Whig, but, 
though he felt an interest in the success of the party, 
never aspired to official positions. He was an ac- 
tive worker in the Lutheran Church, as is also his 
wife, who still survives bim. Although she has at- 
tained the advanced age of eighty-seven years, she 
is in full possession of her faculties. Her own fam- 
ily consisted of twelve children, five sons and seven 
daughters, of whom ten are now living, one son 
and one daughter having departed this life, and in 
addition she has tenderlj' reared ten orphan chil- 
dren. Her motherly heart went out in syniiiathy 
to the friendless little ones, and she has made a 
lasting record as a benefactor. Long after she will 
have passerl away, her memory will be tenderly 
cherished, and her deeds of kindness held in loving 
remembrance. 

The Doctor was the youngest of the family, and 
is the only one that was born in Jefferson County. 
His early life was spent in the usual manner of far- 
mer lads, and after attending the common schools, 
he pursued a two years' course in Fairfield College, 
then under the management of Rev. Andrew Ax- 
line, an able educator, and jneacher. His literary 
education being com|»lefed, he read medicine with 
Dr. P. N. Woods, of Fairfield for three years, and 
then took three courses of lectures at the College of 
Physicians and Surgeons of Keokuk, Iowa, gradu- 
ating from the institution in the Class of '76. 
Thereupon, he opened an oltice in Fairfield, and, 
in contradiction to the old saying that one must 
leave home in order to make a success in life, he 
has enjoyed an extensive and lucrative practice 
since. He has eiubniced the opportunities offered 



by the several medical societies, of coming in con- 
tact with the ablest minds tif the profession, being 
a member of the .letTerson County, of the Des 
Moines A'alley. and of the Slate Medical Societies. 
He does a general pr.ictice, but is making a special 
study of diseases of children. Three students are 
now reading under his direction. 

On tlie 7tli of December, 1879, the I>octor was 
united in marriage with Miss H. AUieShaw, daugh- 
ter of Enos B. Shaw, a prominent farmer of Jeffer- 
son County. Mrs. Stever was born in Iowa County, 
Iowa, November 11, \Hb'), and like her husband, is 
held ill high esteem throughout the community. 
Politically, Dr. Stever is a Republican, with strong 
prohibition principles, and is a member of the Luth- 
eran Church. 



OTK) 



<^OHN P. .STAATS, one of the early settlers 
of Jefferson County, residing on section 1, 
Black Hawk Township, traces his ancestry 
back through several generations to Peter 
Staats, of Holland, who in Colonial days left his na- 
tive land and crossed the Atlantic to America, set- 
tling in New Jersey, where he engaged in farming. 
His son, Peter Jr., enlisted as a private in the Revo- 
lutionary War, but ere the close of the struggle had 
been promoted to the rank of Captain for merito- 
rious conduct. He participated in the hard fought 
battle of Monmouth. His son, Peter P. Slants, 
who became the father of our subject, was born in 
New Jersey, acquired a good commercial education 
and in the early years of his manhood engaged in 
the mercantile business in Western New York. On 
the 7th of September, 1809, he married Miss Cath- 
erine Voorhees, of New Jersey, who was of Dutch 
descent. He afterwards laid aside mercantile pur- 
suite and engaged in farming until old age caused 
him tola}- aside the more arduous duties of life, 
which were then taken up by his son John, who 
operated the farm for his father for some years. 
In 1839, Peter Staats removed with his family to 
Jersey Count}', III., where he purchased n farm 
which his sons managed and which continued to be 
his home until his death, which occurred in 1871. 



•2 OH 



TORTlfAIT AND RIOORATHICAL ALBUM. 



Ill' linil suivi\<-il lii.> iMli ,-. .Liiil yt'iiis. liuLli 
were iiifinhcis of the DiiVub Reformed Chuicli. In 
politics lie was a standi Democrat, Inking un active 
part in political work aiiil for a number of years 
serveil us .luslice of the Peace. Unto Mr. and Mrs. 
Staats were liorn five children: .luhn P.. of this 
sketch: Abrain, now deceased; James M.. an Illi- 
nois farmer, who died in 188.S; Susan, deceased 
wife of .lames Quick; and I'eler A., a f.irmer of 
'IVxas. 

.lolin 1*. Staats, whose name heads tiiis sketch, 
was born on the 19th of November, 1813, in New- 
Jersey, and in his yontli received an academic edu- 
eation. Although reared to agricultural pursuiU, 
he fitted himself for a seafaring life and obtained 
a midshipman's commission, but when he was about 
ready to sail, an uncle of his met iiis death on the 
ocean, which accident aroused the fears of his par- 
ents who induced him to give up his cherisiied 
plan. He then remained at iiome until November 
II. 1h:{3, when lie was united in marriage with 
.Mi>!, Maria Barcfclow of New Jersey. The young 
i-oii|ile began their domestic life upon a rented 
farm, but after a year lie purchased land in his na- 
tive State anil engaged in its cultivation until 1838, 
when disposing of his interests in New Jersey, he 
emigrated to Illinois, investing his capital in land 
p'iteiits. By an act of legislation these patents 
afterwards became worthless and ho lost almost 
everything. He bought land for ^3 per acre and 
continued his residence in Illinois until 1853, when 
he crossed the Father of Waters into the new State 
of Iowa ami made a location in Jefferson County. 
For thirty-seven years he has made his home on 
section 1, Black Hawk Township. On his arrival 
hi' piirclmsed eighly-sevi-n and one-half acres of land 
from wliicli he developed a good farm, devoting 
himself to its cultivation until within a few years 
prist since which time he has lived a retired life, 
his son operating llie homestead. Mr. .Staats may 
truly be called a self-made man. He began life 
with no ca|)ital save a young man's bright hope of 
the future, yet lo-il.ay is numbered among the sub- 
stantial citizens of the community. Industry and 
thiift were the means used to accoiiii»lish that eiid 
and without which success can never be attained. 
During the residence of the family in Illinois, 



yiv^. Staats was called to her final home, leaving 
seven children, the eldest of wlioni, Catherine, is 
now the widow of Daniel Lee. of Adair County, 
Iowa; Clara is the wife of Fred Funston, of Rich- 
land; Farrington B. is a farmer of Missouri; 
Theresa is the wife of Jason Squires, of Des Moines; 
Susan wedded James VV. Donovan, contractor of 
the capital city; George makes his home in Black 
Hawk Township; A'oorhees is living near Ft. Scott, 
Kan. Mr. .Staats was a second time rar.rrieil, in 
Iowa, in November, 185-1. when he became the 
husband -of Mrs. Agnes Boiiser. By her former 
marriage the lady had two daughters. Laura and 
Orpha and by the present marriage three ciiildren 
were born: Chester L., at home; Agnes M., wife of 
William Hicks, of Washington County, Iowa; anil 
John, who is employed as telegraph operator on the 
Rock Island Railroad and is now in Colorado. 

Mrs. Staats is a member of the Baptist Church 
and Mr. Staats contributes liberally to its support, 
as he does to other charitable and benevolent in- 
terests. On attaining his majority, he cast his first 
Presidential ballot for Andrew Jackson and voted 
with the Democratic party until the question of 
slavery became an issue, when, in the election of 
1856, he supported Fremont. He then continued 
his connection with the Re|niblican party until 
President Grant's second election, when be once 
more joined the ranks of the Democracy, of which 
ho has ever since been a stalwart advocate. He has 
atteiide:! conventions of his party and has served 
as Township Trustee and in other minor offices. 



ERRY KING is a grocer of Fairfie d, Iowa. 
He carries a general line of groceries, pro- 
visions and crockery, and since be estab- 
lished business in 1880, his tr.aile has steadily 
increased until he has become one of the leading 
merchants of the place. .Mr. King was born on the 
26lh of May, 184'!, in Highland County. Ohio, 
and is the twelfth in a family of thirteen children, 
whose parents were Morris and Susannah King, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPIIICAI. ALBUM. 



229 



His father, a native of New .lersov. flii'il in 1851 
when our subject was n lad of six years. He mar- 
ried Susannah I^andes, who was born in North Caro- 
lina in March, 1802. Durinir her childhood she 
removed thence to Kentucky and when a maiden of 
twelve summers, accompanied her family to Ohio, 
where she is still livinn^ at the advanced age of 
eighty-eight years. She still enjoys a fair degree 
of health and, in 1889, m.ade a visit from Ohio to 
Mr. King in Fairlield. The family is worthy of 
special mention for various reasons. It consisted 
of six sons and seven daughters, all of whom lived 
to mature years and were married. None of the 
sons ever used whiskey or tobacco, three of the 
number wore the blue in th.e late war. one was 
killed in Missouri bj^ deserters from the Union 
army during the war, one is a farmer in O'Brien 
County-, Iowa, and the other was a teacher of prom- 
inence, and died in Fairfield while visiting friends 
in that place. 

We now turn to the (lersonal history of our sub- 
ject which we feel will be received with interest 
by many of our readers. As before stated, he is a 
native of Ohio and, in the common and select 
schools of the Buckeye State, he acquired his edu- 
cation. At the early age of sixteen j'ears he began 
teaching and followed that profession continuously 
for a fifth of a century, or until his removal to 
Fairfield in 1880. It seems almost unnecessarj' to 
say that he met with success in this linq as his long 
continued service plainly indicates that fact. Just 
prior to his removal to Iowa he was the principal 
of the Lynchburg schools of Highland Count}', 
Ohio, his native county. His labors as an instructor 
were only once interrupted, and that, when he was 
engaged in his country's service. He served for 
one month in the State Jlilitia of Ohio, and then 
enlisted on the 2d of M.ay, 1864. in Company 15, 
of the One Hundred and Sixty-eighth Ohio In- 
fantry, in which he served until the 8th of 
September following. At Cynthiana, Ky., seven 
companies of the regiment were captured, but our 
subject succeeded in making his escape. 

Mr. King was married in Highland County, 
Ohio. May 4. ISC'), to Miss Pluebe Ann Berry, a 
native of that county and a daughter of .Tohn 
Berr}'. Their union is blessed with fiv4' children. 



two sons and three daughters, all of whom were 
born in Highland County, Ohio. In the order of 
birth they are rts follows: Emma Edna, Mary 
Kllcn. Liua C., AVirt B. and Lee A. The three 
daughters are graduates of the Fairfield L'nion 
School, and P^imma K. and Mary K. are now 
students in Parsons College of Fairfield. The 
mother died 0]i tiie 4lh of October, 1889. She was 
a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and 
her loss was felt by many outside of her immediate 
fanjily. 

In politics. Mr. King is a Republican and is a 
man well informed on all matters of general in- 
terest, both [)olitical and otherwise. He takes an 
active interest in the Independent Order of Odd 
Fellows and belongs to JefTerson Lodge, No. 4. of 
Fairfield. He hiis twice been sent as representative 
to the Grand Lodge and is President of the South- 
eastern Association. I. O. O. F., comprising six 
counties. He takes a lively interest in educational 
affairs, has been President of the Fairfield School 
Board for three years, and for five j-ears has been 
connected with the library, and is serving as Presi- 
dent pro tem. of the same during the absence of 
Senator James F. Wilson. 



-J — gj- 



:^ 



TAMES M. IIINKLE of the law firm of 
Wilson A- Ilinkle, of Fairfield, and Mayor 
of tiie city. IS a native of Indiana. His 
father was born in Jackson County, that 
State, and his mother, whose maiden name was 
Nancy Daj-, was a native of Mississippi. The 
family came to Jefferson County, Iowa, in 1853, 
and settled in Round Prairie Township, where Mr. 
Ilinkle. Sr. engaged in farming until 1887, when, 
retiring to private life, he became a resident of 
FairfieKl. The following year he was called upon 
to mourn the loss of his wife who died on the 8th 
of December. In 1888, he removed to W.ayne 
Count}'. M(i.. where he is now living. 

Tlic subject of this sketch was Iiorn in Jackson 
County. Ind., December 21, 18.')2, and was there- 



236 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



fore but a small child when brought by his pareiils 
lo lowo. Thus we see that almost his entire life 
has been spent in .lefferson Country. Jlany of his 
fellow citizens have known him from boyhooiL have 
witnessed the progress which be has made, and be- 
coininir familiar with his merits and ability they 
have honored him with the highest office within 
their power. His education was acquired at Fair- 
field University and Parsons Collcije, and on the 
completion of his school life he engaged in teach- 
ing. In fact, he began his career as a teacher at. 
the early age of sixteen years and continued that 
line of worlt for sixteen terms with most excellent 
success, during which time he has occupied a num- 
ber of important positions. With the desire of 
engai^ing in law [iractice, after the duties of the 
school room were over, he devoted his time to the 
perusal of text books on that subject, his reading 
being directed by Messrs. Wilson & Rutherford, 
wjih whom he remained two years. He w.is ad- 
mitted to the bar in 1871* and soon afterwards 
formed the existing partnership with Mr. \Vilson. 
Two years later he was admitted to practice in the 
.Supreme Courts of Iowa and in 1887 to the Fed- 
eral Courts. 

Mr. Hinkle, in Fairfield, on tlic 31st of October, 
1882, was united in marriage with Miss Alma Belle 
Young. a daughter of William Young.and a native of 
.lefferson County. Hcrparents, emigrating from Indi- 
ana, settled in Jefferson County in an carl^- daj-. 
Two children have been born of their union, Clara 
Dell and Fred Raymond. 

In the spring of 1887 on rt'coiving the election 
returns, it was found that Mr. Hinkle was elected 
to llie ollice of May,)>r of Fairfield bj^ a handsome 
majorit}', and so well pleased were the people with 
his administration, that on his renomination in 1889 
o'lly seven voles were cast against him and ho will 
therefore continue to hold the otlice until 1891. 
Socially, he is a member of Clinton Lodge, No. 15, 
A. F. & A. M.; .Teffersun Lodge, No. 4. 1. O. O. F.; 
Forest City Lodge, No. •'37. K. P.; Fairfield Camp, 
No. l-lli, M. W. A.; and Fairfield Lodge, So. .")'2, 
A. O. U. W. It will thus be seen from the feet 
that he is connected with so manj' organizations, 
that Mr. Hinkle is greatly interested in civic socie- 
ties and in the orders with which he holds member- 



shii) he has held many important positions. Mr. 
Hinkle has made a very pf>pular mayor and the city 
of Fairfield has been materially improved, finan- 
cially and otherwise, under his administration of 
the ollice. The fact tliat only seven votes were 
cast against him at the last election, speaks volumes 
as to public sentiment and is a compliment to his 
popularity of which he may well be proud. The 
law firm of which he is a member, is one of the live 
law firms of the .State and has already- won promi- 
nence in the ranks of the inofession. 



^■ 



APT. BENJAMIN F. CRAIL. Of the 
.'epresenlative men of Jefferson County^ 
none are more worthy of mention in this 
volume than the soldier and citizen, Capt. Crail. 
His paternal grandfather, one of the sturdy farmers 
of Maryland, served as an ollicerin the Revolution- 
ary' War. Having emigiated to Pennsylvania he 
died at tlie advanced age of ninet3'-three j-ears. 
The father of our subject, whose name was also 
Benjamin, w.as born in Beaver County, Pa., in 1793, 
and ill liis3'outh was apprenticed to one DeHaven, 
to learn the millwright's trade, but on the breaking 
out of the War of 1812, he ran away and enlisted 
in the arm}-. On the cessation of hostilities, when 
peace was declared, he returned to his native State 
and there married Nanc^' Dougherty, by whom he 
had ten children, five sons and five daughters. The 
former all became shi|) carpenters. The father died 
ia 184G, and subsequently the mother removed to 
Winterset, Iowa, where she passed away at the ripe 
old age of eighty-eight ye.'irs. Both were zealous 
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church and 
desirous that their children should embrace that 
faith, taught them lessons of piety and honesty. 
Though himself not an educated man Mr. Crail 
clearly saw the advantages of education and built 
a schoolliouse near his home in order that his chil- 
dren might have the best possible advantages. 

Capt. Crail, whose name heads this sketch, was 
the fifth child of the family. He was bc>rn in Beaver 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALIUM. 



2S1 



County, Pa., March 19, 1831, and after attendinj^ 
select schools took a course in a business college of 
Pittsburg, Pa. ~At the ^ge of seventeen years he 
engaged with an uncle in Freedom, Pa., to learn 
the ship carpenter's trade, working for him about 
two years. He then[repaired to McKeysport, where 
a ship was being built lliat was to sail to Califor- 
nia. Full of the youthful spirit of adventure he 
wished to sail with the crew, but through the per- 
suasion of his mother he was restrained from doing 
so. He worked at his trade in the principal towns 
along the Ohio River and spent the years of 1850 
and 1851, in the navy yard in Memphis, Tenn. Re- 
turning to the North, he and a brother took a bout- 
load of merchandise down the river, trading as they 
went, toShawneetown, 111., where they sold out. 

Capt. Crail was married in 1852, to Miss Char- 
lotte McCaskey, a native of Washington County, 
Pa., after which he removed with his bride to New 
Cumberland, Va., where he started a boat-yard 
which he ran some four3-ears, after which he estab- 
lished a yard in his native town. He constructed 
a keel boat and ran it over the rai>ids when the 
water was too low for steamboats to pass over. 
While operating his boat yard he was also engaged 
as carpenter on board a vessel and served as mate. 
In April, 1859, Cajjt. Crail sent his wife by rail to 
Fairfield, Iowa, while he made the tri]) by water. 
The following year he drove an ox-teain to Pike's 
Peak, returning just in time to vote for President 
Lincoln, and until the breaking out of the war he 
served as deputy recorder under J. A. Mclvemey. 

On the 13lh of August, 1801. Mr. Crail enlisted 
as priv.ate of Company- F, Third Iowa Cavalry. 
Keokuk was the rtMidezvons. Toward the close of 
the month, the Captain of Company F, was sent 
with a stpiad of men to capture some rebels at 
Alexandria, Mo., and in charging across a field fell 
over some obstacle. Left without a commander 
private Crail led the charge. ;ind was successful 
in capturing the enemj'. On account of the valor 
displayed on this occasion he was soon after elected 
and commissioned First Lieutenant. 

Having spent some time in Benton Barricks, the 
forces were (jnlered into the field Uoccmber 1 2. 1 8(! 1 . 
The winter was spent in capturing amnuinition. 
supplies, and in dispersing rebels. On April I, 1«()2, 



Lieut. Crail was [jronioted to the captairic\ of his 
company, and at Botts' Farm, Calloway County, 
Mo., while engaged in battle, he was twice wounded, 
one slug striking him in the chest ranged downward 
into the integuments of his stoinach where it re 
niaiiied fifty-two days,taking him almost to death's 
door; the other he still carries. After live months 
of careful nursing he was .Mblcto resume command. 
The year 18()2, and a part of 1803, was [spent in 
fighting guerrillas. His command w.as [engaged 
with Marmadukc near Pilot Knob, some three or 
four daj-sor until he crossed the St. Francis River, 
and on July 1, 1863, the Third Iowa started for 
Little Rock, lighting as they went. After the cap- 
ture of the city. Capt. (rail was assigned to a posi- 
tion at Benton, Ark., and participated in two raids 
which resulted in the capture of Arkadelphia and 
Hot Springs. Returning to Little Rock, he veteran- 
iz«d in January, 1864, after which he spent a 
month at his home in Fairfield. Re|)airing to .St. 
Louis, pi-eijarations were made to go bv boat to 
Memphis, but just before the departure trouble 
arose between some of the soldiers and a private 
citizen. The city police |)ursued the soldiers to the 
boat and were going aboard to arrest them, but at 
this juncture Capt. Crail came on the scene. Learn- 
ing the trouble, he told the police it would be im- 
possible for them to arrest the guilty parties in the 
presence of their comrades, but that he would have 
them arrested and taken ashore for trial. Instead 
of receiving the courteous treatment which he de- 
served, a i)oliceman struck at him with his club but 
the blow was fortunately warde<l off. For a few 
minutes policemen fell like ripe June ai)ples in a 
gale and it was only by the coolness and decision of 
Capt. Crail, that a bloody riot was averted. From 
Memphis the forces were ordered to West Tennes- 
see and Northern ^Mississijipi. and skirmished over a 
stretch of one hundreil and ten miles during which 
they participated in the battles of Ripley and Gun- 
town. For three days and nights, Capt. Crail was 
not out vf his saddle for sleep or rest. He was in 
the two daj's fight at Tujx'lo. and also took part in 
the Grierson Raiil through Mississippi, where from 
December 21, until .lanuary 5, fighting was an 
every daj* business. Having been sent to take fire 
hundred prisoners to Cairo, 111., Capt. Crail went 



2:32 



I'OKTRAIT AND HIOUKAI'HICAL ALBl'M. 



on with his company to Louisville, Ky.. whcie 
lliey received a fresh supply of horses and went on 
to particiimtc in Uie hrilllant raid of Gen. Wilson. 
Our Captiiin. in foniniand of two companies, started 
two days in advance of the army. Skirmishes were 
frcpicnt Imt he was successful in sweeping the 
enemy before him. Having crossed a bridge on 
Mohen Creek, the rebels made a desperate effort to 
hold the briiliie and in the struggle Capt. Crail had 
his right arm shattered near the shoulder and was ! 
taken in an andiulance to Selma, Ala. Thus glori- \ 
ously ended his military career. He was mustered 
out August '.K 1HG.J, at Allanta,Ga., and discharged 
on the 2:id of the same month, at Davenport, Iowa. 
.Miiny of the above facts were gleaned from the 
Adjutant-! Jeneral's report. 

In August, 1873. Capt. Crail was called upon to 
mourn the loss of his wife, who left six children: 
.lames 15., a merchant of Washington, Iowa; Wil- 
liam II., who is agent on the California Southern 
Railroad; Susan S., wife of E. W. Steele; Robert 
,M.. who is connected with a hotel at Junction Cit_y, 
Kas. ; David K., who runs a dairy in Fairfield, and 
Frank A. On March 5, 1877. the Captain wedded 
.Mrs. Steele, whose maiden name was Nancy S. AIc- 
Cracken, and unto them have been born twin boys, 
Joe S. and Charles S., who arc as near alike as the 
Antipholuscs in Shakespeare's "Comedy of Errors." 

Ca])tain Crail is a Republican in |)olitics and 
both he and his wife are members of the Christian 
Church. He was Deputy Surveyor under Isaac 
Crnmly and Judge Fulton, served as Deputy 
Sheriff several terms, and since 1883, has been Sur- 
veyor of the county proving an able and ellicient 
ollicer. 



5^ 



('. ll.VRKER, who resides on section 4, 
Washington Township, is a representative 
li) of one of the pioneer families of Van Huren 
'Qi/J County, his parents being Joseph and Anna 

(Manchester) Harker, whose sketch appears on an- 
other p.age of this work. He was born on the old 
homestead, where he still resides, March 18, 1842. 




and the days of his boyhood and youth were spent 
in the usual manner of fanner lads. After attend- 
ing the district schools of the neighborhood, at the 
age of nineteen }-cars he responded to his country's 
call for troops, enlisting in the I'nited States service 
as a member of Company H. Third Iowa Cavalry, 
linder Capt. Jesse Hughes in September, 1861. He 
was mustered in at Keokuk and the regiment was 
assigned to the Third Army Corps, in the Army of 
the Tennessee. His company being detailed to 
skirmish duty made several raids through Xorthern 
Missouri, at one time capturing one hundred and 
seventy-two kegs of powder and at another, five 
hundred kegs of the same article. They spent the 
first winter in Mexico, Mo. Afterwards Mr. Barker 
participated in the battle of Moore's Mills, where 
he received a gun shot wound through the left jaw 
which unfitted him for duty for two we(?ks. On re- 
joining his command he participated in the battle 
of Little Rock, Ark., and Gunlown, Miss. At the 
latter place he was dismounted by his horse giving 
out and made a forced march on foot to White 
Station, Tenn., a distance of sixty miles whicli he 
covered in ten hours. He was also with the Wilson 
raid through Tennessee and Alabama, and was mus- 
tered out in Atlanta, (4a., on the 9tli of August, 
1865, after four years of faithful service on South- 
ern battle fields. 

Returning home at the close of the war Mr. Bar- 
ker purchased one hundred and eighty acres of land 
and eng.aged in agricultural jjursuits. His bojiiood 
training had fitted him for his chosen occupation 
and with the p.assage of time his possessions have 
been increased until he is now the owner <>f a fine 
farm of three hundred and forty-seven acres — a 
portion of the eld homestead. The entire amount 
is under a good state of cultivation and well im- 
proved, and the owner takes rank among the en- 
terprising agriculturists of the community. 

As a companion on life's journey Jlr. Barker 
chose Miss Martha M. Van Eman, their union being 
celebrated on the 2d of February, 1871. Her father. 
Rev. George Van Eman, was born in Washington 
County, Pa., January 29, 1823, and her mother, 
whose maiden name was Filizabeth Poage, is a na- 
tive of Pocahontas County, Va. Both ,)arents are 
still living at this writing in 1890, and make their 







/ 



■//Up/A ^Mc^. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



235 



home in Vernon, Tex., wliere Mr. Van Kmi^n has 
charge of a church. Mrs. Barker was born in 
Missouri, December 3, 1852. Slie was the second 
in a family' of seven ciiildrcn as follows: Ella, now 
deceased; James A., a resident of Wilburger, Tex.; 
Mrs. Mary R. Gray, of St. Paul, Neb.; Joseph. 
who is living in the Lone Star State; Edward E., of 
Balliraore, Md.; and Mrs. Stella Ilicks, of Texas. 
The Barker famiij- consists of eiglit children as fol- 
lows: George V., born December -29, 1871; John 
H., September 8, 1873; Maud O., July ;il, 1875; 
Nellie, November 22, 1876; William R., May 18, 
1878; Josie E., August G, 1880; A. C, June 15, 
1883; and Mancliester, August 12, 188G. Mr. and 
Jlrs. Barker and their four older children are mem- 
bers of the Presbyterian Church of Mt. Zion, in 
which the father holds the office of Elder. He con- 
tributes liberally to the support of church and 
charitable institutions and all laudable enterprises, 
feeling a deep interest in anything which (icrtains 
to the welfare of the community. In politics he is 
a supporter of Republican principles. 



IMv ^^" ^^^^^ WOODS, who is familiarly called 
J 1\\ "Aunty" Woods, and is thus better known 
I L^ to the citizens of the community, is one 
^ of Jefferson County's most honored pio- 

neers. She was born on tiie banks of Lake Cham- 
plain, in (jeorgia, Ciiittenden Count}', Vt., Septem- 
ber 28, 1813, and is the j'oungest of five children 
horn to Julius and Hettie (Cassel) Owen. Her 
father was a native of Salisbury, Conn., and an 
uncle of the noted Ethan Allen, of Revolutionary 
fame. Her family was of Welsh origin and de- 
scended from one of two brothers who came to 
America during Colonial days, and who took an 
active part in the War for Independence. Her 
grandfather, Owen, was a man of remaikable lon- 
gevity, having lived to past the centurj- mile post. 
The father emigrated from Connecticut to Ver- 
mont, where he married Miss Cassel. a lady of 
French crigin, lur iicoi)le having come to this 



country with Geu. Lal'ayette. She died in Ver- 
mont, and the husband married again. Patriotic 
blood (lowed in his veins, and following the example 
of his illustrious Revolutionary ancestors, he served 
in the War of 1812. Having ren)oved westward to 
Harvard, HI., he there spent his last days, attain- 
ing almost the age of one hundred years. Of his 
children only two are now living — Mrs. Eliza 
Dickens, of San Francisco, Cal., and Mrs. Woods. 

Our subject received a very limited education. 
Her mother having died when she was quite small 
and her father marrying again, at the age of twelve 
years she went to live in the home of a Mr. 
Mears, a Deacon in the Congregational Church, 
thus to make a living with her own hands. Later 
she went to the home of a sister, with whom siie 
removed to New York, and about 1835 she joined 
another sister in Harvard, 111. There she met and 
married G. M. Fox, a native of Ohio, of English 
descent, and a cari)enter by trade. In 1839 they 
started for Fairfield, Iowa, arriving on the day of 
the first election in this city — June 27. Mr. Fox 
purchased a lot, and the following year erected 
thereon the house in which Mrs. Woods now lives, 
which was then known as the "big house." He 
was a first-class mechanic and erected many dwell- 
ings for the early settlers, besides assisting in the 
erection of the first court- house. The first house, 
however, in which they lived was a primitive log 
dwelling with a stick chimney. Mr. Fox died in 
1811, and three years later she married Parish 
Ellis, an early settler, and also a mechanic. He 
lived but four years. In 1857 she wedded Joel 
Woods. Though a tailor by trade he was a man 
of splendid natural endowments and a well-trained 
mind. In 1858 he went to Colorado and engaged 
in mining, and so won the esteem of his fellow- 
miners that he w.as elected to the Legislature. 
While hunting in Arizona he was shot and killed 
by mistake. His remains were buried at F't. 
Whipple. 

Though left alone in the woihl, Mrs. Woods 
found a broad and useful field for llcr activities. 
The war at length commenced and several severe 
battles had been fought. The Iowa "boys in blue" 
sick and wonndcd, li;id been sent to the hospital at 
Kecjkuk, :ind realizing how nuich those who liad k f t 



236 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



coniforUble liomes needed some one to take the 
plnce of a inotbcr, slie sncrificed her personal inter- 
ests and gave her lime and best efforts to the noble 
work of alleviating the sufferings of Iowa's soldiefs. 
especially those from Jefferson County. Backed 
hy the loyal women at home, she did a work that 
is gratefully remembered by the soldiers and spoken 
of at their reunions, and that will live on the pages 
of history. On the 3d of April, 1HG2, she took a 
quantity of sanitary supplies to distribute among 
the sick and wounded in the hospital at Keokuk, 
where slie remained during the greater part of the 
summer to care for the afflicted troops. Having 
received three passes — one from Gen. Curtis, for 
the department ol the Northwest; the second, from 
Gen. Thomas, and the third from the war depart- 
ment, she made nine trips, taking cargoes that 
varied from ten to thirty-seven tons. In Novem- 
ber, 1862, she started with the first supplies to 
Springfield. Mo., but finding it im|)r.acticable for 
her to go farther she placed her stores in charge of 
another at 8t. Louis and returned. In March of 
the folli)wing year she started with a large cargo 
fur .Miss.)uri and ministered totiie'l'liird Iowa Cav- 
alrv, at Pilot Knob, and the Fourth Iowa Cavalry, 
at Helena. Ark. .Soon afterward she ma<le her first 
trip <lown the Jlississippi into the heartof the Con- 
federacy. Her plan was to travel incognito, letting 
her business be known only to the proper authori- 
ties. When asked where she was going, she would 
replj': "To see my s<ins. all of whom are in the 
army." Though she had no son, she was a mother 
to many, and the Iowa boys learned to call her by 
that sacred name, a custom which IJicy still con- 
tinue. To show how extensive was the field over 
which she (jperated, it is but proper to give the 
dates of transportation to a number of the places 
visited: Little Rock. Ark., March 14, 1864; Chat- 
tanooga, Tenn., M.ay 16, 1804: Memphis, Tenn., 
November 23, 1864; and Milliken's Bend, in April, 
186.5. In the rear of Mcksburg she was twice under 
fire, but escaped uninjured. Her last trip was made 
under the auspices of the United States Sanitary 
Commission. With thirty-seven tons of supplies 
she proceeded to New Orleans, there to take a boat 
for Baraucos Island, off the coast of Louisiana. A 
s;initary ofliccr advised her not to venture, saving 



that she could not reach her destination and that 
the vessel in which she was going w.is unsafe. If 
she would tuj-n over her stores to him he would see 
to their proper distribution. Mrs. Woods insisted 
upon going, whereupon he became irate and said 
she should not, but she replied that she had a pass 
from the Government. The officer then went so 
far as to say that she could not go if she '-had a pass 
from Heaven," but when she drew forth the instru- 
ment and said no [lOwcr on earth should keep her 
from going, the fellow's assumed authority shriv- 
eled up like a "catter|)iliar on a hot shovel." Ar- 
riving at the island, she found her assistance much 
needed. .Several thousands of disabled soldiers were 
left there, while the able-bodied went to assist in 
the capture of Mobile. Mrs. Woods remained a 
month, and on Christmas Daj* had one of the most 
enjoyable fe.asts ever served, consisting of the 
crackers and fresh butter taken from Iowa and the 
large fresh oysters gathered from the ocean. 

Since the war Mrs. Woods has led a quiet life, 
unconscious of the great honors and gratitude she 
has won. Of the following societies she is an hon- 
orary- member: Eastern Star, A. F. & A. M.; Re- 
becca Degree, I. O. O. F. ; the Grand Army of the 
Republic; Agassiz Society, and the Alethean Lit- 
erary Society, of Parsons College. The Fairfield 
Hose Company is named in her honor, and to 
its members she gives a royal banquet each year. 
In 1886 she was a State delegate to the National 
Encampment at San Francisco. I'nknown and un- 
solicited on her jjart, her friends secured for her a 
pension of *2,") per month, of which she is truly 
worthy. For fifty one years Mrs. Woods has been 
a resident of Fairfield, and no citizen of the county 
is more tenderly loved or held in higher esteem. 



^^EORGE SNIDER is one of the pioneers of 
!|{ (=1 JclTerson County and a iironiinent farmer 
''^M "^ Bhick Hawk Township, residing on sec- 
tion 6. The home of this worthy gentleman is one 
of the finest in the township A commodious and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



237 



tasty frame residence, smiouiKlod b}- good l)arns 
and other necessary' oiitl)iiildin<;;s slu'ltcrin<;' fine 
stock, and tlie whole encircled b^' waving fields of 
grain, all indicate to the p.isser-bj' that the owner is 
a man of thrift and industrj- and his neighliors will 
tell a similar story of ills unceasing labor and en- 
terprise. 

Mr. Snider was born in Bavaria, on Christmas 
Da}-, of 1821, and is a son of John and Plia4)e 
Snider. His father, who was also a farmer by occu- 
pation, emigrated with his family to America in 
1829. Jlaking a location in Westmoreland County, 
Pa., he purchased a farm which continued to be 
his home for some twenty-one years, when in 1851, 
be .igain took up the line of march and made his 
way to .Tefiferson Count}', Iowa. With his son 
George, who had previously located in the count}-, 
he found a home, but about a month after his arrival 
was called to the final home, dying on the 17th of 
May, at the age of sixty-six years. His wife, v.bo 
survived him about thirty years, died in March, 
1880, and her remains were then placed by the side 
of him who had gone before. John Snider and his 
wife were parents of four children — Jacobennia, 
deceased w-ife of Charles Shy; John, Jr., also de- 
ceased; George, of this sketch, and Lizzie, who be- 
came the wife of Andrew Altman, and died in 
Kansas. Mr. Snider and his family were faithful 
members of the Lutheran Church. He took great 
interest in church work and did what he could for 
the promotion of the cause. In politics, he was a 
firm supi)orter of the Democratic party. A worthy 
citizen, a kind friend and neighbor, and a gen- 
erous and noble-hearted man, the entire community 
mourned tii.s deatli. 

Upon George Snider devolves the duty of per- 
petuating the family history as father, motiier, 
brother and sisters have all been called home, leav- 
ing him the only survivor of a once happy and 
united family circle. The advantages which he 
received in his youtii were limited, especially as 
regards education, for the only schooling he ob- 
tained was in the old country prior to his emigra- 
tion to America, which occurred when he was a lad 
of eight years. However, since coming to this 
cour.try he has mastered the English language and, 
being a lover of books, has devoted much time to 



reading, thus acquiring a fund of information 
which many having belter advantages miglit well 
envy. He was brought up to the labor of the 
farm and remained at home with his parents until 
twenty-live years of age, when he assumed the man- 
agement of the old homestead and continued in 
charge of affairs until 1851, when hedecided to cast 
his lot with the early settlers of Jefferson Count}-. 
On reaching his destination he made purchase of 
eighty acres of land, paying $400 for the same. 
Only twenty acres of the entire amount had been 
broken and a log house constituted the improve- 
ments. A wonderful transformation has since been 
wrought and the once barren prairie is now a rich 
and fertile farm furnished with good buildings, the 
latest improved machinery, and stocked with an ex- 
cellent grade of horses and cattle. lie gives special 
attention to the raising of horses, keeping on hand 
a number of good work horses. He also buys colts 
which he raises and then puts on the market. The 
competence which now pl.ices Mr. Snider in a com- 
fortable position and surrounds him witli all that 
goes to make life worth the living, was not acquired 
in a day, however, but is the result of patient toil, 
perseverance and industry. He not only began 
life in the West with little capital but had to en- 
dure many of the hardships and disadvantages (jf 
pioneer life. The little log cabin, which was the 
first home of himself and wife in Iowa, was not 
furnished with many luxuries; a goods box consti- 
tuted the table, the other furniture was of a like 
primitive character; they had to journey several 
miles to mill and market and often the roads were 
almost impassible, but nevertheless, Mr. Snider 
declares those were among his happiest d.ays. He 
was a great hunter and the woods furnished 
ample opportunity to indulge his liking for that 
sport. Other pleasures added to the enjoyment of 
pioneer life and, as the years rolled along, the 
financial resources were incre.ised so that many 
comforts took the place of what were before incon- 
veniences. 

On the 11th of January. 1842, Mr. Snider was 
united in marriage with Miss Mary Ann Kistler, 
whose parents were natires of Pennsylvania. By 
their union were born eleven children — Mary, born 
June 8, 1846, is the wife of Abe Herman, of Black 



238 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Hawk Township, .Jefferson Count}'; John, born 
September 27. 1851. is a resident farmer of Black 
Hawk Town.sliip: Sophia, born November 23, 1853, 
is Iho wife of Kraiik Herman, of the same town- 
ship; Lydia A., born April 14, 1856, is the wife of 
James Iset, of Kansas; Charles, born February 11, 
185H, is his father's assistant on the home farm; 
Sarah Jane, born October 25, 1862. is the wife of 
Albert Steel, of Richland, Keokuk County ; William 
A.. l)orn July 27, 1867, married Miss Nora Kist- 
ler, is a farmer and miner and resides near the old 
homestead; Martin Luther, born June 16, 1870, is 
iilso a miner, and George W., born August 17, 
1872, is at home. 

Mr. Snider and his family are fuitiiful members 
of the Lutheran Church and he is alw.a\s rctdy to 
give of his means for the support of the work; yet 
he docs not confine his generosity to his own 
church alone, but gives liberallj' to all churches in 
the neighborhood and to everj' enterprise worthy 
of the support of honorable citizens. He cast his first 
Presidential vote for James K. Polk and is a stanch 
Democrat in politics. He formerly took an .active 
part in political affairs, being well posted on all 
questions pertaining to the same, but h.is some- 
what retired from that work. He was a member 
of the (irange during the existence of that society 
and is a member of the Old Settlers Society. 



^ -^ 




LLEN KING is one of the oldest grocer}- 
merchants of Fairfield, his career in that 
line covering a period of eighteen years. 
From the time when he established business 
up to the present, he has been recognized as one of 
the leading merchants of the city and by the liberal 
palronngc which he receives, wo know that he has 
won the confidence and respect of his patrons as the 
result of his courteous treatment, fair dealing and 
prompt attenticm to the wants of liis customers. 

Mr. King is a native of Ohio, his birtli having 
occured in Highland County. January 27, 1837. 
Morris King, liis father, was born in New Jersey in 



1800, and was of Scotch descent, while his mother, 
whose m.aiden name was Susannah Landess, was 
born in North Carolina in 1 802, of German parent- 
age. The youth and maiden emigrated with their 
respective families to Ohio when Cincinnati was a 
small town. Mr. King was a hard-working man 
and cleared and developed two farms in the midst 
of the timbered regions of the Buckeye State. He 
was a member of the Christian Church, a supporter 
of the Democratic party and his death occurred in 
1851. His wife is still living at the advanced age 
of eighty-eight years and is still remarkably active. 
Their union was blessed with a family of thirteen 
children, six sons and seven daughters, of whom 
ten arc yet living. Two of the sons, Allen and 
Perry, ai'e merchants of Fairfield. 

The former, who has been prominently connected 
with the grocery interests of the city, is the fourth 
in order of birth. In his youth he was inured to 
the labors and hardships of farm life on the western 
frontier, having to assist in the clearing and devel- 
opment of lands, which in a timbered country was 
no easj' task. He attended the old time schools 
where "liekin' and larnin' " went hand in hand, and 
where it was believed to "spare the rod" was to 
"spoil the child." At the age of eighteen years 
he started out in life for himself and made his way 
to Iowa, where he hoped to secure a good business 
opening and be independent of all outside assist- 
ance. He arrived in Jefferson County in Decem- 
ber, 1855, and though only a boy, he was engaged 
as teacher of a school in Cedar Township for $20 
per month. That was his first attempt in imparting 
knowledge to others. The following summer he 
attended school and through the succeeding twelve 
years he devoted his energies to farming during 
the summer months and teaching in the winter sea- 
son. He procured a farm for himself of fifty acres, 
which he sold on coming to Fairfield. On the 21st 
of September, 1856, Mr. King was united in mar- 
riage with Sarah E. Smith, a native of Tennessee, 
and they became parents of ten children, seven of 
whom are j'et living, namely: Jelina E., wife of 
Thomas Ward; Henrj^ A., Clara I.. Arie L., Frank 
T., Maud S. and Lydia A. 

On the 11th of August, 1862, Mr. King entered 
the service of his country as a member of Com- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALIUTM. 



239 



pany O, Thirtieth Iowa Infantry, but after a year 
was discharged on account of lung trouble. He 
continued his fai'ni labors until 1JS72. when wilh 
his family he removed to FaiiHeld and as before 
stated cmbariced in the grocery business, as a part- 
ner of .lames F. Crawford. That connection con- 
continued a year and a lialf when ]\Ir. King 
sold out and formed a partnership wilh R. F. 
McCashiin, they doing business together for three 
years. He was then alone for the same length of 
time, after which the firm of King Bros, was formed 
and under that name the business was carried on 
until 1888, since which time our subject has again 
been alone. On the 22d of March, 1890, the store 
in which he did business burned, losing him over 
$1100. All recognize in Mr. King a trustworthj', 
enterprising, business man. 

On the 8th of January, 1881, Mrs. King was 
called to her final rest and June 8, 1882, Mr. King 
married Mrs. Mary E. (Shamp) Davis, who was 
born in Wayne County, Ohio. July 31, 1844, and 
is a daughter of Moses C. and Mary L. (Richart) 
Shamp. Her father, a native of Pennsylvania, born 
March 2, 1801, was of German descent and her 
mother, who is of Irish descent, was born in the 
same State, July 9, 1805. Their marriage was cele- 
brated in Lycoming County, Pa., in 1824, after 
which they removed to Wayne County, Ohio, and 
in 1846 came to Jefferson County. While in Wayne 
County, Air. Shamp served for several years as 
.Sheriff. He was a shoemaker by trade, but in Iowa 
followed farming a short time and then engaged in 
photograpliy. He died October 22, 1876, and his 
wife still survives and is living in Nebraska. Like 
her husband she is a member of the Methodist 
Church. Seven of their family, which once num- 
bered eleven children, are yet living, but Mrs. King 
is the only one living in Iowa. 

From the lowest round of the ladder of life Mr. 
King has mounted step by step until he has reached 
a position of prominence and affluence. When he 
was married he was $2.5 in debt and whatever suc- 
cess he has met wilh in life is due to his own efforts, 
industry, good management and the exercise of cor- 
rect business principles. Mr. and Mrs. King are 
both members of tlie Methodist Episcopal Church. 
In political sentiment he is a Democrat, though he 



has never sought political distinction. He held the 
odice of County Recorder from ^ 884 until 1886. 
having been elected tu the position by a majority 
of one hundred in a county which has four hundred 
Republican majority, a fact which indicates his 
personal popularity. He is a member of llie Ma- 
sonic order and of the Easter Star liranch of the 
same. 




EV. LEWIS MENDENHALL, a minister 
of the Free Methodist Church, claims the 
'^ \\\ honor of being a native of Fairfield, of which 
city he is now a resident. His birth here 
occurred on the 20lh of February, 181',), he being 
the son of Daniel and Susannah (Pierce) Menden- 
hall — whose sketch appears on another page of this 
work — who are numbered among the jjioneer set- 
tlers of Jefferson County. They emigrated west- 
ward, becoming rdteidents of lowu in 1842, during 
the territorial days of the .State which in many 
respects is now equal to any in the Union. 

Our subject spent the da^'S of his boyhood and 
youth in his native city and, having acc|uired his 
|)rimary education in the public schools, became a 
student in the Fairfield I'niversity. Later he 
further pursued his studies in the Iowa Wesleyan 
College, of Ml. Pleasant, and ended his school days 
in Wheaton College, of Wheaton, III. In his j'outh 
he was converted and desiring to devote his life to 
the work of the ministry, carefully prepared himself 
for that life, and in 1809, when only twenty 3'ears 
of age, was licensed to preach. His first charge 
was at Belvidere and JIarengo, III. While in that 
State, on the 5th of October, 1873, he was ordained 
Deacon in the Illinois Conference and on the 11th 
of September, 1870, was ordained Elder in the 
Iowa Conference. The greater part of his pastoral 
work has been accomi)lished in Iowa and has been 
productive of much good. For two years he was 
pastor of the church in his native city, for one3'ear 
had charge of the congregation in Cedar Rapids, 
and the following year the church in Marion. A 
year later he preached in Oltumwa. Afterwards 



•210 



I'oKTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



la- pruaclic'il in Hiiniini^liaiii, wlieie lu- Jiieiil Lwu 
yoais eiiga^c'l in |jastinal labor. Ilesliii resided at 
Kairfiekl during liis ministerial work at Oltumwa 
and Hirmingliara. Mr. Mendenliall lias also done 
considerable work in supplying pulpits and as a 
loc.'il preacher. Wherever located, people of the 
coinmunit}' learned to love and esteem him for his 
upright life and the inlhience for good wh'ch he 
exerted. Since 1887 he has not been engaged in 
regular work, but his love for the cause still con- 
tinues, and is manifested by the active interest 
which he feels in his home church and those of ad- 
joining towns. 

In Fairfield, on the 20th of March, 1877. Mr. 
.Mcmleiihall led to the marriage altar Miss Alberta 
Smilhhurg. a daughter of Charles P. and Annie C. 
.Sniithburg. She was born in Sweden and came to 
America with her parents when two years of age. 
Their union was blessed with three children, sons, 
but the youngest is now deceased .William Wesley 
was born August 8, 1878; Harry Edgar, De- 
cember 10, 1882; and Charlie Christian, who was 
born June 16, 1886. died December 27, 1889. 

In his political aflilialions, Mr. Mendenliall is a 
Republican when voting on matters of local or 
State interest, but at the last two Presidential elec- 
tions he cast his ballot with the Piohibition part}', 
believing the question of the prohibition of the 
liquor Iratlic to be paramount to ever}- other issue 
now before the people. The cause of temperance 
has ever found in him a warm and able defender, 
and all other reforms calculated to benefit the peo- 
ple may be sure of his hearty endorsement and sup- 
port. 



^^ K.VNDALL C. WALKER, Auditor of Van 
[if Buren County. Iowa, and a resident of Keo- 
^!w>^ saiiqua, was born in Mercer County, Pa.. 
November 8, 1849, and is a son of Harvey and 
Anna M. (Nelson) Walker. In 1854, when our 
subject was but live years of age, the family emi- 
grated to Knox County, III., and three years later 
made a settlement in Bourbon County, Kan., but 



at the lime ut the border warfare were forced to 
leave the State on account of the radical abolition 
principles which Mr. Walker entertained. He and 
his famil}' afterwards became residents of Jeffer- 
son Countj% Kan., and when the War for the Uni(m 
liroke out, anxious to aid his country in the pres- 
ervation of the Union, be enlisted in the famous 
Graybeard Regiment of Kansas. Mr. Walker was 
personally acquainted with Jim Lane and John 
Brown, two of the most noted characters connected 
with the early history of the late war. He has 
lived to see the entire abolishment of slavery with 
scarcel}' even a trace of its existence remaining, 
and yet makes his home in Jefferson County, where 
he and his wife are widely known. In their family 
were eleven children, namely: Crandall C. Claud- 
ius D., Marion D., Marvin L., Olina, Ellis F., 
Schuyler R., JNIilchell H., Roland, (deceased) Anna 
and Willie. Mr. Walker is a man of the strictest in- 
tegrity and uprightness who can not be induced to 
swerve from the path of duty, and his life makes an 
impress upon the character of all those with whom he 
comes in contact. The |)rinciples of the Whig 
party received his sup|)orl in his early life, after- 
ward he became identified with the Abolitionists 
and is now a stanch supporter of the Republican 
party. 

Crandall C. Walker, whose name heads this 
sketch, acquired his early education in the pioneer 
schools of Kansas, after which he attended Baker's 
University, in Baldwin City, Kan., but before com- 
pleting the course, failing strength forced him to 
abandon his studies. The next three j'cars he spent 
ill the southern part of the State for the purpose of 
regaining his health, after which he came to Iowa 
in 1874. It was his intention to further prosecute 
his studies in Mt. Pleasant, but his exchequer be- 
coming somewhat exhausted, it was necessary to 
replenish it ere he could carry out his plans. In 
the vvinterof 1875-6 he was a student in Knox Col- 
lege, of Galesburg, III., and during the succeed- 
ing twelve years he devoted his attention to school 
leaching in Van Buren County, Iowa, and in Illi- 
nois anil Kansas. 

In 1877, in Winchester, Van Buren Countj', 
Iowa, Mr. Walker was united in marriage with 
Miss Flora D. Fry, daughter of A. A. Fry, of that 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



•241 



])lace. lie tlieu cmbaikcd in fannin;; and in conncf- 
tioii with his father-iii-law, owihmI llie liisl (trail 
horse in the coiinty, since whicli time he has made 
a business of breeding horses. In 1889 he was 
elected to the odiee of County Auditor, by tlie Re- 
publican party, of whicli he lias ever ueen a stal- 
wart a<lvocale. lie has been a resident of Keosau- 
qn.i since 1881. 

Mr. and Mrs. Walker arc the parents of three 
children — Ktliel. Florence and \'ed;di, and also lost 
one in infancy. Their church relationship is with 
the Methodist Episcopal, of which they are faith- 
ful members. As an educator, stock-raiser and 
public officer, lie lias been successful and is re- 
garded as a representative and worthy citizen of 
tlie county. 



'if?OSEPII CAMPBELL is engaged in farming 
and stock-raising on section 29, Locust 
Grove Township. Jefferson Countj', where 
t^^/ he has m.adehis home for twenty years. He 
first came to Iowa, in April, 1855, settling near 
Batavia, and has since made ids home in this State, 
but a portion of the lime has resided elsewhere than 
in Jefferson County. The family was founded in 
America during Colonial days, but we have little 
knowledge concerning its early histoiy, save that 
John and Mary Campbell, the paternal grandpar- 
ents of our subject, were natives of Maryland and 
there resided raanj* years. His maternal grandpar- 
ents. Joseph and .Susan (Hartman) Wadsworth, 
were natives of Pennsjdvania. The husband 
served in the War of 1812. and died while return- 
ing to his home after the battle of Lundy's Lane. 

Thomas Campbell, father of Joseph, was born in 
Maryland, but in his youth removed to Pennsyl- 
vania, where he became acquainted with and mar- 
ried Sidney Wadsworth, who was born in the Ke}^- 
Stone Slate. 15y occupation he was a farmer and 
foUoweil that business throughout his entire life. 
He died in Pennsylvania, in 1880, at an advanced 
age. having survived his wife about forty years. 



Tiicir family numbered ten children, of whom 
Josei)h w.as t!.e oldest. The other members who 
came to Iowa are Joel, who located in Jefferson 
Count y, in 1855, but is now living in (Jtlumwa, 
and John who came to the Slate in 1857, and is 
now a resident of Polk County. Mo. 

In liis youth. .Joseph Canipliell accjuired a goo<l 
Englisli education and on the completion of his 
school life began teaching in Pennsylvania, suc- 
eessfidly following that profession from 18 1« until 
the winter of 1855-6. Relieving thai the West 
furnished better opportunities for young men than 
the older States of the East, he came to Jefferson 
County and the following winter was em|)lo3'ed as 
a teacher in Ratavia. In 1857, he made his first 
purchase of land consisting of a one luindred and 
sixty-.acre tr,acl in Wayne County. This farm he 
afterward sold and became owner of one in Wa- 
pello County, which he improved and operated for 
some twelve years. It was in 18C9, that he bought 
one hundred acres of improved land in Locust 
Grove Township pnd removed to his present home. 
A man of good business ability, he has been cpiite 
successful in his undertakings and is now numbered 
among the substantial citizens of Jefferson County. 
As an early settler lie can relate many interesting 
incidents of pioneer life in the West, when Iowa 
was but sparsely settled, when Fairfield was a mere 
village, when the farmer had to lake his grain to 
Keokuk and Rurlington to market and drive his 
stock to Chicago. 15ut all this is now changed, the 
log cabins have been replaced 1)3' commodious and 
substantial farm residences, the wild land is trans- 
formed into fertile farms, towns and villages have 
sprung up and Fairtield has blossomed as a thriv- 
ing little city, whose industries, manufactories, in- 
stitutions of learning and adornments might grace 
a ijlace that numbers a far greater population. 

Mr. Campbell has never taken a very .active part 
in political affairs, especially in the sense of oHiee 
seeking, but keeps himself well informed on the 
issues of the d.a^' and supports the Republican part^' 
by his ballot. He cast his first Presidential vote for 
Gen. 'I'aylor. He is more interested in providing 
good schools for the children of the community and 
has done effective service in that line while acting 
on the school board. Holli he and his wife are 



242 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



members of ilio Methodist Church and are active 
ivorJicrs for its interests. 

In East Liljerl}-, Fajette County-, Pa., in 1851, 
.Ml'. Campbell was united in marriage with Miss 
Kintn.T l{;iiid(il|)h. ivlio was born in New Jersej'. of 
whirh .Strttc JR'r parents, .Saniiiei and Nanc3(Girard) 
Randolph, were also natives, llci- fatlicr was a boot 
and shoe denier and did a good business in tlir\l 
line. His death occurred in Pennsylvania in I8().'5. 
but his wife survived until 1884. Unto .Mr. :in(i 
Mrs. Campbell were born ten children and tlie fam- 
ily circle ^ei remains unljroken by the hand of 
death. Sarah J., the eldest, is now Mrs. Hall, of 
Smith Count}', Kan.; ^Valter S. is married and re- 
siilesnear Hatavia; Anna Laura is now Mrs. Parrclt, 
of i.ocnst Grove Townsiiip; Mrs. Florence Long is 
living in KIdon, Iowa; JMrs. Klla Fancher makes 
her home in Wapello County; Charles Randolph is 
living in Ottumwa; Alice C. Frank T., Mary and 
Clara arc at home. 




;/ILLIAM GREGORY, who resides on sec- 
-^jll tion 10, IMack Hawk Township, ranks 
among (he representative and prominent 
farmers and stock-dealers of Jefferson County. His 
has been a prosperous c.ireer and in the discharge 
of his duties, the performance of liis labors, and in 
his intercourse with his fellow. men, his life has 
ever l)een such that the people have accorded him 
their high regard and warm friendship. 

(Ml the 2d of March, 1832, in North Carolin.i, 
Mr. Gregory first opened his eyes to tiie light of 
day. His father. Jesse Gregory, was a native of 
Virginia and when a young man removed to North 
Car(jlina. where he followed his trade of carpenter- 
ing. He married Miss Barbara Fogleman, who was 
l)orn in North Carolina, and in 1838 tliey removed 
to Alorgan County, Ind., where the remainder of 
their lives were spent. Their family nuuil)ered 
seven .sons, who assisted the father in developing 
and improving his farm during the summer months 



I and aided liini in cirpcnter work during the winter 
season. Mr. Gregorj' was a bard-working man. He 
had little opi)ortunity for securing an education in 
his boyhood, but in a great measure he overcame 
such disadvantages and at his death was in com- 
fortable circumstances. In politics, he was first a 
Whig and later a Republican. Naught could be 
said against his character but all esteemed him as 
an honorable, upright citizen. His death occurred 
October 3, 1846, and his wife died on the 4th of 
September of the same year, only about a month 
previous, and they were laid to rest side by side in 
the cemetery of Mooresville, Morgan County, Ind. 
The seven sons of Jesse and Bart)ara Gregory 
are John, who was born August 13, 1830, and is 
now a farmer of Jasper County, Iowa; William, of 
this sketch; Daniel, liorn .September 28, 1836, now 
deceased; Joel, born December 3, 1838, a resident 
farmer of Keokuk County. Iowa; Peter, born March 
20, 1841, a farmer of Jefferson County, Neb.; Eli, 
born March 10, 1843, died during the laie war, 
and James, born April 4, 1846, is engaged in farm- 
ing in Jefferson County, Neb. Three of tiie sons 
were faithful soldiers during the late war. I-:ii, 
who was a member of an Indiana Regiment was 
taken prisoner at the battle of the Wilderness and 
died while in confinement in Salisbury, N. C. 
Joel, who was a member of the Seventh Iowa In- 
fantry, paiticipated in the capture of Ft. Donelson. 
his first engagement, and then continued in the 
service until the close of the war, but his health 
was permanently impaired ; Peter enlisted among the 
bo.ys in blue of the Twenty-fifth Indiana Regiment 
and served in the Atlanta campaign and marched 
with Sherman to the sea. 

The first six years of his life our subject spent in 
his native State,butin 1838 he accompanied his par- 
ents to Indiana, where for a few yeais he attended 
the common school but at the asre of ten years he 
was bound out to George Greeson, who removed 
to Keokuk County, Iowa, when our subject was 
thii'teen years old. Mr. Gregory remained with that 
employer until he had attained his majority and 
during that time became inured to hard labor .as 
his guardian was opening up a new farm. At the 
age of twenty.one years he was to receive a horse, 
saddle and bridle, but instead, took $75 in money 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



243 



and witli that capital started out in life for himself. 
lie know how to "oi'k, however, and with strong 
arms and a ready will he began the battle which all 
must fight in order to gain a place of honor and 
prominence in tlie world. 

For a time lie worlced us a farm hand at •i;10and 
$11 i)er month, and from that meagre sum saved 
|;100 per year. On the 1 jth of February, 1857, he 
formed a matrimonial alliance with JMiss IMary E. 
Jenkins, a native of North Carolina, born in Mari'h, 
1839. He then rented a farm which he operatc(' 
for eight years when he made jmrchase of an eighty- 
acre tract, eighteen acres of which had been broken 
though none was under cidtivation. About the 
same time he was called upon to mourn the loss of 
ills wife, who died December 30, 1864, leaving two 
children — JIandy J., who was born March 19, 18('>0, 
and is now the wife of Joseph Patrick, aud .Sarah 
E.. who was born January- 8, 1862, and married 
Joseph Kaufman. On the 8th of October, 186.5, 
Mr. Gregory was united in marriage with Mrs. 
Massio Greeson, a daughter of Ilcur^' and Charity 
Kinzer. Her father was a native of Nirginia, her 
mother of Indiana, and their marriage, was cele- 
brated in the latter State. The}' remo>'ed to Iowa 
in 1847, locating in Keokuk County, where Mis. 
Kinzer died the following year, but her husband is 
still living in that community. Their family num- 
bered eight children: Benjamin, John and Susan 
are deceased; Hezekiah is living in Colorado; Mas- 
sie, now Mrs. Gregory, is the next younger; Adam 
resides in Hardin County, Iowa; Jacob is now de- 
ceased; William, who completes the family, is living 
on the old homestead. 

To .Mr. and Mrs. Gregory have been born three 
daughter: Addie Maj-. wiio is now the vvife of Mil- 
ton Hadley, a farmer of Keokuk County, Iowa; 
Vena Ehlora, wife of Oscar llobson, of Nebraska; 
an<l Mary Emma, at home. Mr. Gregory has given 
Ills children good educational advantages. Not 
having like opportunities he resolved that they 
should not feel its loss and in consequence they 
were thus ably fitted for the practical duties of life. 

As before stated, Mr. Gregory's first purchase 
consisted of eighty acres of land, but since coming 
to this county his career has been one of almost 
unbroken prosperity, and at one time he was the 



owner of five hundred and ninety acres of valuable 
land, but to each of his daughters he has given 
eiglity acres, reducing his own farm to two hundred 
aud seventy acres. This entire amount is under a 
high state of cultivation, good barns and other 
outbuildings have been erected and tht home of 
Mr. and Mrs. Gregory is one of the finest in the 
township. He makes a specialty of stock-raising 
and can utilize almost his entire grain crojiin feed- 
ing his cattle. Mr. Gregory may truly be called a 
self-made man. Sagacious and far-sighted, fair 
and honest in all his dealings, his business interests 
have prospered and his life has been a successful 
one. In his political adiliations he is a stalwart 
Republican, having cast his ballot for the support 
of that party since attaining his majorit3\ He has 
ever avoided office-holding, but has the ability to 
fill any local position could he be induced to ac- 
cept office. He is well informed on all subjects of 
general interest and able to express his ideas forci- 
bly' aud well. His generous nature prompts him 
to deeds of charity and benevolence, and by the 
p<'or and needy he is regarded as a benefactor. He 
and his wife are members of the Methodist Church 
and live in harmony with their professions. The 
life record of Mr. Gregory can be summed up in 
the one word — victory. 



^fl^l^Si 



^1 OSEPH ALISON McKEMEY, an honored 
pioneer of Iowa of June, 1839, was born in 
Washington, Washington Count}-, Pa., 
March 27, 1815. His parents. James W. 
and Martha (Alison) McKeraey, were also natives 
of the Keystone State. The father, who w.as born 
in Franklin County, in 1785, died in 1816, at the 
early age of twenl^'-nine years, and liis wife was 
born in the same county, March 19, 1793. Williin 
a few j-ears after the death of her husbanc^, Mrs. 
McKemey married Jacob Shigle. a most estimable 
man, in whom Joseph A. (the only child of the first 
marriage) found a kind anil indulgent father. Mr. 
Sl.agle was a s:iddier and harness-maker bv Ir.ade 



244 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



nnfl Willi him our subject served a regular appreii- 
ticcsliip, conliiniinf< in liie shop until twenty-one 
years (if ajje. lie then traveleil and worked as a 
journeyman in various cities in Ohio and Indiana 
until the spring of 183!l, when in company with 
thrc old men, he set out on horseback from Wash- 
ington, Ph., for the Territory of Iowa. They jour- 
neyed through three Stales — Ohio, Indiana and Illi- 
nois-anil after a month spent \\\wu the road reached 
Burlington. Iowa, on the 21th of June. Among the 
many incidents of interest that occurred during 
the journey w.ns one made memorable by subse- 
quent events. Having reached Decatur, 111., on a 
certain Friday evening in April, they stopped at 
the same hotel where Abraham Lincoln and Stephen 
A. Douglas were guests. The recent rains had 
swollen the Sangamon River to such an extent that 
it was not fordable and they were obliged to lay 
over from Friday night until the following Tues- 
day. During this delay they were well entertained 
by the conversation and sallies of wit between the 
two young men who have since become prominent 
characters of the Nation. On reaching Springfield 
our travelers found Mr. Lincoln already there, he 
having [ireceded them on foot. Twenty-two years 
later that gentleman was making another journey 
beset with peril greater than floods, when he as- 
siiiiied the ollice of President. Mr. McKeraey pro- 
ceeded from Burlington to Bentonsport, where he 
opened a little country store and harness shop, 
continuing at that place until 1842, when he re- 
moved to Jefferson County, where he purchased a 
(Oaiin of four hundred and eighty acres which was 
situated about two miles south of Fairfield. He en- 
tere(i the land at the land sales and immediately 
began the improvement of a farm. 

On the 28lh of Febru.ary, 1844. Mr McKeiney 
wiis united in marriage with Jliss Cynthia A. 
Ili'mphill. who was born in liedford County, Pa., 
and is a daughter of Adley Hemphill. She removed 
with her |)arents to Wayne County, Ohio, in child- 
hood and thence came with her family to Jef- 
erson County, Iowa, in 1842. .Seven children were 
born to Mr. and Mrs. McKemey. namely: Martha 
Jane, who is now the wife of Daniel De Vicmon 
and resides in Denver, Col.; Margaret, who died at 
the ngeof thirty years; the third child died in in- 



fancy; Elizabeth, is the wife of Capt. S. J. Ches- 
ter, of Fairfield, whose sketch appears elsewhere 
in this work; J.acob S., is a lawyer of Fairfield and 
is also represented in this volume; Mary A., is the 
wife of Roland J, Wilson, son of Senator Wilson 
and a lawyer of Fairfield ; Flora, the youngest of 
the family, is the wife of Dr. J. C. Sutton of Lib- 
erty ville, Jefferson Count3', low.i. 

Mr. McKemey removed to Fairliold in 1845 and 
opened a harness shop, successfully carrying on 
business in that line until elected County Treas- 
urer in the fall of 1857, when he sold out and en- 
tered upon the duties of the office, October 1, 1857. 
He was twice re-elected and held the position for 
six j'e.ars. Declining to again enter the field as a 
candidate, lie bought out a man wlio was running a 
harness shop in Fairfield and put matters in shape 
to resume business without loss of lime. So well 
did he succeed that on turning over the treasurer's 
office to his successor, he walked down to the har- 
ness shoi) and resumed work before he returned to 
his home. From that time until December, 1885, 
Mr. McKemey did a lucrative business, when hav- 
ing reached the age of three-score and ten and hav- 
ing secured a coinpetenc}', he retired from active 
business. 

In politics, Mr. McKeraey was first a Whig with 
strong anti-slavery views. In 1847, he met with 
seven others at Fairfield and organized an anti- 
slavery association for the purpose of opposing 
slavery and aiding escaping fugitives to secure their 
liberty. When the Republican part^' was formed 
he joined that organization and was a delegate to 
its first State convention in 1854. rntil the Pres- 
idential election in 1888, he was a zealous supporter 
of the principles of that party, when, believing the 
best interests of society would be serve<l by the 
success of the Prohibition party, he withdrew from 
the Republican ranks and voted for Fisk and Brooks, 
the prohibition Presidential nominees. He is now 
classed as a most uncompromising Prohibitionist. 
Mr. JIcKemey received his early religious instruc- 
tion under the auspices of the strict old fashioned 
Presbyterian school and became a member of that 
church in Fairfield, maintaining his connection 
wiih the same until 1860, when, failing to find 
within it that warm sympathy for the victims of 



PORTRAIT AND lilOGIlAPIIICAL ALBUM. 



245 



slavery thai lie expected and desired, lie willulrew 
from it ;iiid vvitli his wife joined the Congregiilioual 
C'huiTli, of which they have since been consistent 
membeis. 

Mr. McKeniey's mother died at St. Louis, Mo., 
JLay 15, 1858, while on her way to visit her cliil- 
ilren in Iowa. While now in his seventy-sixth year 
Mr. McKeiney is well preserved; his mentid facul- 
ties are strong and active and his interest in cur- 
rent affairs of the world is as earnest and lively as 
ever. He is happily situated in the eujoyiueut of 
a safe competency while he has been enabled to as- 
sist his children to start in life for tliemselves, and 
enjo3'S the satisfaction of knowing that they are all 
well-to-do and that they are useful and respected 
members of society. He is a man whom to know 
is to love and esteem. His sympathies are always 
with the weak and oppressed, and his whole course 
of life has tended to encourage and jioint the way 
to a higher standard of usefulness and morality 
than is found in the ever3'day walks of life. 



ENRY SEMON, deceaseil, was one of the 
ill men who has taken an active (lart in the 

upbuilding of Fairfield, .leflferson County. 

where his family still resides. He was of 
German birth, his parents being John and Dorathca 
(Rapp) Semon. Both were natives of Hesse- 
Darmstadt, Germany, where on the 20th of April, 
1820, our subject was also born. His father was 
a Captain in the German army and served for four- 
teen years under Napoleon. In i)ursuit of fortune 
he followed farming and stock-dealing, and socially 
he ranked liigli in the community, being a man of 
sterling worth whose excellencies of char.acter won 
bim the high regard of all with whom he came in 
contact. Of the family of seven chililren, consist- 
ing of four sons and three daughters, three came to 
the United States. John is now living in Quincy, 
111, and George and Henry in Fairfield. 

Our subject was the third child of the faniil}'. 
He received a good education in his molUertonsue 



which thus enabled him to sooner master the Eng- 
lish language. In early life he learned the 
butcher's trade which he followed successfully 
some thirty-eight ye.ars. It was in December, 1848, 
that he sailed for New York and for seven years af- 
ter his arrival in this country he traveled over dif- 
ferent States for the puriiose of seeing something 
of the land which he had heard so much about, 
working at his trade the while. On the lUth of 
July. 1856, in (lalesburg. III., he was united in 
marri.ige with Miss P'raucesca Ackerraan, a native 
of Bavaria, born July 31. 1833. She is descended 
from one of the old wealthy families on the Rhine, 
and being an only daughter was therefore given 
the best opportunities for an education and literary 
culture. Her father was the last of the family to 
cross the ocean and his Last days were spent with 
his daughter in Fairfield, where he died at the age 
of seventy-five years. Three of her brothers also 
found homes in this countr}'. Wolfgang served 
his adoiJted country nobly in the late war and 
died soon after he was discharged.; Jacob is liv- 
ing in AVisconsin and Matthew resides in Fairfield. 
Soon after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Semon 
started for Fairfield and since 185G, liave been resi- 
dents of this city. .Soon after their airival he es- 
tablished a meat market which he operated until 
1875. His long experience in that business made 
him familiar with the desires of the public and he 
soon built u]) an excellent trade, reaping a 20od 
income therefrom. Since disposing i)f his market 
in 1875, he devoted the greater part of his time 
to his real-estate interests. Not a little h.as he 
aided in the advancement of the city's interests by 
his improvement of resident projierty. He also 
built the first opera house in Fairfield in 1875, and 
has always a liberal supporter of such enter- 
prises as were calculated to advance the interests 
of the community. He never took an active part 
in politics but always unhesitatingly voted his sen- 
timents, suppporliiig the men of his choice. Re- 
I ligiously he was a member of the Lutheran Church 
I and socially of the Knights of Pythias and V. A. 
I S. fraternities. His wife is a member of the Catho- 
1 lie Church. 

I By the union of Mr. and .Mrs. .Seinon seven chil- 
I dren were born as folhjws: Henry W., who died io 



246 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



his sixteenth 3car; Elizabeth, who became the wife 
of B. T. Howell of Chicago, by whom she has one 
daughter. Maud, the only frrandehild; Marie D.. 
wife of Dr. H. T. Nelson of Chicago; John .J., who 
died at the age of eighteen years; Sara, Anna and 
Cora who are at home. Mr. Semon was a success- 
ful businessman and an estimable citizen who was 
always prompt in the discharge of his duties of cit- 
izenship, was ever ready to mi^et an obligation and 
treat all with that upright and, courteous conduct 
which won in return the confidence and respect of 
those with whom he had dealings. After a sick- 
ness of nearly a year's duration he passed away on 
the -''.nu of .June, 1890. 



-^^ 

^^s 



=^BKN' F. SIM.MONS, junior member of tiie 
law (irm of McKemey & Simmons, of Fair- 
/ field, was born in Locust Grove Township. 
• iTcrson County, March 10, 1855, and is a son of 
W. L. S. and Sarah (Weaver) Simmons. His par- 
ents were from Clermont County, Ohio, but are 
numbered among the early settlers of Jefferson 
County. In 1842, his father visited this county, 
and after securing some land and a home, returned 
lo his native State, and was married. Accompan- 
ied by his bride, he at once started for the West— 
the then western wilds of Iowa, where he has since 
nsi.ied. A sketch of this worthy gentleman ap- 
peals on another page of this work. 

Our subject was provided with liberal educa- 
tional advantages in his youth, and on the comple- 
tion of a course in the Iowa Wesleyan University 
of Mt. Pleasant, came to Fairfield in September, 
l.s«;i 'Ihe legal profession seemed an attractive 
one to him, and desiring to pursue it as a means of 
livelihood, ho entered upon the study of law in the 
ollice of Leggelt & McKemey. After a thoroiun, 
course of reading he was admitted to practice in the 
State courts, and in the Supreme Court of the Stale 
in December, 1885. After spending a year as clerk 
with his preceptors, he formed the existing partner- 
ship with J. S. McKemey, who had severed his con- 



nection with Jlr. Leggett on the election of the latter 
lo the District Judgeship. The firm of McKemey 
<fe Simmons has acquired a very fair practice, 
which is steadily increasing. Mr. Simmons is a 
Republican in politics. 




s^i ILES McSURELY, who resides on sec- 
* '•* lion 9, Washington Township, Van Buren 
County, is one of the few pioneer settlers 
who has lived to witness the wonderful 
development of this grand State which far sur- 
passes the most sanguine day dreams of the pio- 
neer, as with brave heart and sinewy arm he entered 
the forests of the Des Moines \'alley to hew out 
the logs, puncheons and clapboards, for a home and 
wrest from its i)riniitive growth of forest, the soil 
which was destined to become the foundation 
upon which was reared this vast commonwealth. 
Mr. McSurely is a native of Ohio, born February 
9, 1809, and the second in order of birth in a fam- 
ily of seven children, whose |)arents were James 
and Maria McSurely. His father, a native of Ire- 
land, came to this country at the close of the Re- 
volutionary AVar and for a time made his home in 
Kentucky. He there married and then removed 
with his bride to Ohio, where he followed his trade 
of weaving until his death, which occurred in 1840. 
His wife was a native of Kentucky and died in the 
Buckeye State in 1833. 

The subject of this sketch grow to manhood in 
Ohio, and in his youth learned the trade of a ship 
carpenter. Having attained to man's estate, on the 
24th of January, 1833, he wedded Miss Catherine 
MeCann, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Rose) 
McCann. The young couple started in life with 
a capital consisting of health, energy and mutual 
confidence, their aim being to secure a comfortable 
home. After working for three or four years at 
his trade on the Ohio River, they decided to try 
then- fortune in the wild West, by which terra Iowa 
w.as then known, and in March, 1837, Mr. McSurely 
entered one hundred and sixty acres of land from 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



247 



the (ioveiMuneiit in \':ui IJiiren County. Tlic fol- 
lowing s|irinii tlic family moved into a little lo<; 
cabin which he hail hastily erected and lie<;an life 
ill true [lioneer style. The dimensions of thedwell- 
\ng were 14x10 feet and it was destitute of a floor 
except the earth, and several weeks elapsed before 
Mr. MeSurel)' could spare the time to prepare the 
puncheons for a lloor. After eiyhteen months, he 
sold out and began the improvement of another 
quarter section. This he also disposed of and in 
June, 1844. bought the farm upon wiiich he has 
made his home continuously since. Fortj--six years 
have served to transform that barren tract into a 
region of great fertility and productiveness. A 
neat apd commodious dwelling, tastefully furnished 
and provided with all the comforts of life furnish 
them a home and this is surrounded by barns and 
outbuildings such as are indispensable to the model 
farm of the Nineteenth Century. Fences have di- 
vided the land into well kept fields, and the neat- 
ness and order which there reign, give evidence 
to the passer-by of the thrift and industry of the 
owner, who has labored mdefatigably for the inter- 
ests of his family. He has however, not been alone 
in his efforts, but has been ably assisted and sec- 
onded by his estimable wife, who ever bore her part 
in the hardships and trials of earlier days and who 
unreraittingl3' cared for the household affairs while 
her husband was busy in the fields. 

The long period of fift^-eight years has elapsed 
since this worthj^ couple, as man and wife, started 
out on life's journey together. As is the common 
lot, they have met with reverses and discourage- 
ments, but altogether theirs has been a happy and 
prosperous life. Their union has been blessed with 
a family of ten children, seven of whom are yet 
living: Mary J., the eldest, is now the wife of E. 
Nesmith, of Davis County, by whom she has six chil- 
dren: Dora, Minnie, Cora, Eliza, Ella, and Bertha; 
Margaret, the second of the family, is now deceased ; 
William makes his home in California; Benjamin, 
who was a member of Companj' G, Third Iowa 
Infantrj-. died in Mexico, Mo., during the service; 
Rufus is also deceased ; Anderson, who is living in 
Montana, enlisted in Company G, Third Iowa Cav- 
alry, in 18l>;$. and served until the close of the war; 
Hannah cares for her parents in their old age and 



has charge of the houselioldVluties; James is a resi- 
dent of Keosaufpin; Kate is the wife of J. W. 
iMc.Manainau, of Decatur County, Iowa, and the 
mother of six children — Uufus, Mar}', Roscoe, I.W., 
Kale, and Kolierl. .lohn. who is now in the AVest, 
coni|)letes the family-. 

At one time Mr. McSurely owned four hundred 
and sixty-throe acres of land. Of this he retains 
one luindred and sixty acres as a home for himself 
and wife, and the balance he has given to his chil- 
dren. As they have left the parental roof for homes 
of their own, he has given to each enough money or 
propertj' with which they may make a good start 
in life and in return received the care and love of 
dutiful children. Their daughter, Hannah, still 
remains with them, caring for them in their declin- 
ing years with a filial devotion that is sure of a 
blessed reward. But as you talk with the worthy 
couple of bygone days, they will tell you that the 
happiest moments of their lives were spent in the 
log cabin of long ago with their children all about 
them ; when neighbors were few, but as they met to 
exchange the hos[)italities of their humble homes it 
was with the true hearty friendship characteristic 
of this sturdy generation which is now slowly but 
surely passing away. Mr. McSurely has always 
been an active Republican in politics. He enjoj'S 
the confidence and high esteem of his friends and 
neighbors and is well deserving a place among the 
representative citizens of Van Buren County. 



-^^ 




EORGE ACHESON, deceased, was born in 
Washington County, Pa., on the 16th of 
June, 1821, and died .Sund-i}' evening. April 
24. 1881, in Fairfield, Jefferson County, being at 
the time of his death in the sixtieth year of his age. 
He was the sixth child in a family consisting of 
five brothers and four sisters, and his parents were 
David and Catherine Acheson. Having completed 
his education at Washington College, Washington 
Pa., he read law with his brother, A. W. Acbeson, 
of that city. In the spring of 184:?. accompanied 



248 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



bv C. W. Slagle, since deceaserl, he started west- 
wnrfl in scnreii of a location, 'i'lie^' crossed the 
Mississippi River on the Cth of April, thirty eig:ht 
years ago. and soon afterward made ciioice of Fair- 
field as a favoralilc opening, and began tiie prac- 
tice of law, whicii tlie^v continued until the death 
of Mr. Aclicson, the firm being at that time the 
ohlest law firm in Iowa. 

On the '2.?d of December, 1847, Mr. Aclienon was 
united in marriage with Miss .Mary Hemphill, 
daughter of Adiey Ilempliill, Ksq., one of the early 
settlers of .lefferson County. As the result of this 
linpliy marriage, six children were born but two 
died prior to tlie death of the father. The two sur- 
viving sons are .lolin and George. The eldest 
daughter, Ellen, Ls tlie wife of C. A. Clarke, a 
lieutenant of the I'nited .States N.avy, and the 
younger, .Mary, is the wife of D. F. Garretson, of 
Kansas City. With a kind husband and father, an 
affectionate and careful wife and mother, no hap- 
pier home was ever known. Mrs. Acheson's death 
occurrc'd .\pi-il 2, 1880. 

In early life. Mr. Acheson was a Democrat, and 
as such w.as elected the second county prosecutor 
in 181(). When Fairfield was incorporated in 1847, 
he was elected the first City Recorder, and after- 
ward, in 18(;2, was elected Mayor, holding the 
odice two terms. He was for many years a Trus- 
tee of the asylum for the insane at Mt. Pleasant, 
and was also one of the holders of the deed for 
Fairfield's first cemetery, which was afterward as- 
signed to the city. On the firing upon of Ft. Snm- 
ter, his patriotism was aroused, and he became an 
active advocate of the war for the Union. For a 
time he was known as a war Democrat, but later 
ideiitincd himself with the party of the administra- 
tion. His earnestiiess and enthusiasm encouraged 
enlistments, cheered many a fainting spirit, and ex- 
ercised a vast inlhience for good. Ever with the 
cause of humanity, right and justice, Mr. Acheson 
was |)ositive in his convictions, and earnest in his 
advocacy of wiialever he believed to he for the 
bettering of the human family. Of George Ache- 
son's life, his friends cherish many pleasant memo- 
ries. During all his busy years, he never swerved 
from the path of justice or of duty. Honest and 
uiiright, his bright career as an attorney, and as a 



business man, was never marred hy an unworthj' 
deed. He w.is devoted to his i)rofession. and al- 
though many places of profit and trust were within 
his reach in other directions, he never availed him- 
self of circumstances to win political preferment. 

In all matters of public interest, and for the ad- 
vantage of P'uirfield, Mr. Acheson was always at 
the front. AVitli others of her citizens he labored 
hard for her first railroad, and perhaps his connec- 
tion with the Southwestern was more beneficial to 
Jefferson County than that of any other man. He 
was one of the founders of the Jefferson County 
Coal Company, .ind the First National Bank, and a 
warm friend of the Parsons College enterprise. He 
w.is active in support of the public library, and was 
one of the owners of the handsome brick block on 
the north side of the square. 

Mr. Acheson was the first Mason ever initialed in 
Jefferson County, and was one of the charter mem- 
bers of Clinton Lodge, No. 15. A. F. & A. M. of 
Fairfield. He held many official positions in that 
order, and obtained high standing in it. A meet- 
ing of the bar of Fairfield was held at the office of 
McCoid & West, on Jlonday afternoon, April 25, 
to take the customary action on the death of a fel- 
low practitioner. James F. Wilson was made Chair- 
man, I. 1). Jones, Secretary, and a committee of 
five, consisting of James F. Wilson, W. B. Culbert- 
son, J. J. Cummings, M. A. McCoid, and C. D. 
Leggett, was appointed to draft a set of resolutions 
and reported as follows: 

liesolved, That the members of the bar of Fair- 
field have with profouad regret learned of the death 
of George Acheson, for many years a member of 
our bar, an able and courteous practitioner. 

liesolvecl That while we remember Mr. Acheson 
as a most worthy member of our profession, we also 
bear testimony to his worth as a member of this 
community, ever ready with deeds for the promo- 
tion of its best interests, and always alive to pro- 
pose means for the advancement of its prosperity. 
Resolved, That James F. Wilson he requested to 
present these resolutions to the Distiict and Cir- 
cuit Courts for the county at the next terms thereof, 
and request that they be entered upon the records, 
respectively. 

Resdloed, That a copy of these resolutions be 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



24» 



coraniunicalecl to the family of Mr. Acheaon. wiLli 
tlie heartfelt condolence of the bar, and that, as a 
further mark of respect, we will attend the funeral 
of our deceased brother in a body. 

Respectfully submitted, 

,Iami:s F. Wilson, 
w. b. cclijertson, 
M. A. McCoii), 
j. j. cummisg.s, 
Chakles D. Leggett. 
Resolutions of greater length, and teeming with 
deep fraternal regard were adopted by the mem- 
bers of the Clinton Lodge, of which Mr. Acheson 
had for so many years been the presiding officer, 
and one of the most active members. 



-J^^' 



-*3-»— 



\f)OSEPII YOUNG. The name of Young is 
inseparably connected with the history of 
.Jefferson County, and Joseph and Mary 
(Moore) Young are numbered among its 
honored pioneers. It is with pleasure that we re- 
cord their sketch in this volume, for the}' have been 
identified with the best interests of the city and 
county, have been witnesses of almost its entire 
growth and throughout the community are held in 
high regard. 

Joseiih Young was born in Pennsylvania, No- 
vember '29, 1800, and when a mere boy, lost his 
molher.whereupon the family wasl>rokcn up. and he 
went to live with an uncle. Koi many years he fol- 
lowed boating on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, 
but 80 dissolute were those engaged in that business 
that he decided to free himself from such associa- 
tions. Having arrived at years of maturity in Hrown 
County, Ohio, in 1828, he was united in marriage 
with Miss Moore, a native of Pennsylvania, born 
November 3, 1807. In her girlhood she emi- 
grated to Ohio with her parents, and remained iu 
the Buckeye State until her marriage with Mr. 
Young. Shortly afterward, the young couple re- 
moved to .lohnson Couut^-, Ind.. and made a good 
farm in tiie heavy beech woods. In 1802. they be- 



came residents of .Jefferson C'.iuntj-, Iowa, where 
they lived nine years, when failing health caused 
their return to their old home in Indiana. There 
the wife and mother died August 17, 1866, but Mr. 
Young survived until Apiil 3, 1880, when he was 
called to meet the loved one gone before. Both 
were active and earnest workers in the Presb3'terian 
Church, and although their manner was free from 
all ostentation and displaj-, they accomplished much 
good which certainly was not without result. Ex- 
tremely conscientious, Mr. Young never allowed an 
obligation to go unmet. A\'ithout political asi^ira- 
tions, he was a lif(!-long Democrat. 

Their union was blessed with a family of nine 
children, all of whom save Nancy J., the eldest, 
have married and have families. She .and Mrs. I. 
D. Jones reside in Fairfield; William .M. is Mayor 
of Blue Springs, Neb.; John N. resides in Keokuk 
County, Iowa; Mrs. C. A. Jones, and Mrs. Mary 
A. AVall, reside in Fairfield; Mrs. Samuel Parkhill 
is living in Keokuk County; Jonathan is a farmer 
of Indiana; and Joseph W. is a farmer of Kansas. 

Livy Wall, the deceased husband of Mrs. Mary 
A. Wall, was born in Brown County, Ohio, on the 
31st of May, 1837. He traced his ancestry back 
to one of three brothers who emigrated from Eng- 
land to America during the early settlement of this 
country. The one from whom he is descended, ac- 
quired a tract of land, now in the heart of Balti- 
more, which rightfully belongs to his descendants, 
as it has never been transferred. From ^Maryland, 
Mr. Wall's immediate fjimily found their way to 
Pennsylvania, lliencc to Ohio, and finally became 
residents of ^'ermillion County. 111. In Johnson 
County, Ind., Februar}' 21, I860. Liv^- Wall and 
Miss Mar3- A. Young were joined in wedlock, at the 
home of the latter's parents. Mrs. Wall is a native 
of that county, and was born May 2, 1839. Upon 
their marriage, they removed to \'ermilion County, 
III., where Mr. Wall successfully carried on farm- 
ing and .stock-raising. After a happy union of a lit- 
tle over two years, he was summoned to the better 
land. He died November 1 1 1867, leaving a wife 
and one child, Ora L. M., who is a graduate of the 
Female College of Jacksonville, III. In politics, 
Mr. Wall was a supporter of the Democracy, and 
in religious faith he was a Presbyterian. 



250 



POUTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 




Four years after the death of her husband, Mrs. 
Wall came to Fairfield, lowii, where she has made 
her home ciinliniiousiy since, lioth siie and Miss 
Ora are active meinljors in the Presbyterian Chinch, 
and have a large circle of friends among the best 
citizens of the community. 



-^s^^m^^ 



11. WOODS is now living a retireil life on 
his fine farm situated on section 31, Har- 
risbiirg Township, Van liuren County. 
Ills home, a commodious brick dwelling- 
is situated in the midst of seven hundred broad 
acres that for years have yielded him a golden 
tribute for his care and cultivation. Fences divide 
the farm into fields of convenient size, good barns 
and outbuildings shelter his stock, and the entire 
surroundings arc in keeping with the improvements 
before mentioned. During the past few years, 
however, Mr. Woods has laid aside the more ardu- 
ous duties of farm life, being now in the eighty- 
second year of his age and spends his time in rest 
and quiet, enjoying the fruits of his former toil. 
However, he is still rugged and active and trans- 
acts all his own business. His farm he has mostly 
seeded down to liaj' and pasture, and the balance 
he h.as rented. 

Mr. Woods was born in Virginia, on the 11th of 
August, 1808. His father, .John Woods, was also 
a native of the same State and served his country 
in the War of 1812. When our subject was a 
babe he removed from Virginia to Ohio, where he 
worked at his trade of blacksmithing for many 
years. He wedded Nancy Skillin, who was born 
on the limerald Isle, and when three years of ai>e. 
was brought by her parents to America. She died 
when about sixty years of age, and Mr. Woods 
died in Richland County, Ohio, at the age of eighty 
years. Of their family of seven children, six 
reached maturity — Williain, who was a medical 
practiti(mer, died in Cincinnati, Ohio, aged fifty 
years; A. H., of this sketch, is the second in order 
of birth; .lolin, who followed farming, died in 



Richland County, Ohio; Hugh, a millwright by 
trade, died in Michigan; Archibald, who has trav- 
eled extensively over this country, is now a resi- 
dent of California; JIargaret, the youngest, is de- 
ceased . 

Remaining under the parental roof until he had 
attained his majority, A. H. Woods then left home 
and started out in life for himself. Going to St. 
Joseph County, Mich., he worked iu a gristmill and, 
during his st.iy in that community, married Miss 
Klizabeth Meek, a native of Ohio, and a daughter 
of William and Elizabeth (.Johnson) Meek. Their 
union was celebrated in 1831, after which Mr. 
Woods purchased eighty acres of land, but still 
continued working in the mill. Later lie sold that 
tract and bought four hundred acres of timber land 
in St. Joseph County, which he sold after coming to 
Iowa in the summer of 1837. The traveler of to- 
da3' can scarcely imagine the condition of the 
county at that time. The work of improvement 
was scarcely begun, much of the land was in its 
primitive condition, many of the now flourishing 
towns and villages had not yet sprung into exist- 
ence, civilization had made but little advancement, 
in fact it was almost an unbroken wilderness. Mr. 
Woods first pre-empted one hundred and sixty 
acres of land and, by purchase, added to it eighty 
acres upon which he built a log cabin. In pioneer 
style the family began life in Iowa. Few comforts 
found their way to their home in those earlier days, 
and many of the inconveniences and hardships of 
frontier life were borne by the inmates of that 
home. Not only had all the land to be broken, but 
the implements with which the work was to be 
done, were crude in character as compareil with the 
improved machinery of to-d,ay. The nearest mill 
was some miles awa^', and they had to go long dis- 
tances to market, sometimes over almost impassible 
roads. Rut all this is now changeil; waving fields 
of grain now greet the eye in every direction, im- 
provements have been made and the county is in- 
habited by a well-contenled and educated people, 
who are justly proud of the home of their adoption 
and the progress here made. Mr. Woods shared in 
the general prosperity of the county and, extend- 
ing his possessions, became owner of seven hun- 
dred and sixty-five acres of land all in one body. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBL'M. 



253 



Eleven cliililren were born to our subject and 
Ills worthy wife, but four of tlic uuuibt'r Iwve been 
e;ille(l liouie. >;ancy A., the eblesl, is now de- 
ceased ; WiUi.im v., is a resident of California; 
Robert M. is a farmer of Vernon Township, Van 
Buren County; Elizabeth is the wife of Lewis Dc 
Hart, who resides near St. Louis, Mo., and is the 
mother of six children — Clement, C. Loraine, .leu- 
nie, Fannie, Clarence and Walter; Ellen is the wife 
of E. W. (Uasscoi'U, of Bonaparte, Iowa, by whom 
she has seven children, as follows: Charles, AViUiani, 
Alex. Fannie, Edna, Jessie and Anna; Sarah L., 
wife of II. B. Edniundson, is.living in W.asliington 
Township, Xan Buien County; Mary Y. is <le- 
eeased; Henrietta weilded .1. Leller, l)y whom she 
has two children. Myrtle and Lena; Jessie F. is the 
wife of S. P. Davis, ami their union has been 
blessed with six children, Leonard W., Estella (de- 
ceased) Cass M.,(i rover C, F. Earl and Zula. 

Mr. Woods is well known throughout the entire 
county and has taken a prominent part in many 
public affairs. In polities, he is a Democrat and, 
as a delegate, he has frequently attended the con- 
ventions of tiiat party. He held the offices of 
Justice of the Peace, School Trustee, etc,, and par- 
ticipated in the organization of the, county with 
which he has since lieen identilied. As a friend 
and neighbor, he is held in high esteem and has 
the full confidence of all wlio know him. 



«-^»S»»r?»^j£^^'<tf5«f~»<«S<f-» 



f)IIOMAS S. MEALEY, M. D., whose home is 
''^^^ situated on section 11, Penu Township, Jef- 
"^; ferson County, has resided in Iowa since 
the territorial days, the date of his coming being 
1842, Tiie name of Mealey is prominenth- con- 
nected with the early hislorj- of the Slate. His fa- 
ther was one of the large landowners of Washing- 
ton County and for years a prominent citizen of 
that region. It was in 1740 that Lawrence iSIealey, 
the founder of the family in America, left las home 
in Scotland and crossed the Atlantic to the New 
WoHd. He made a settlement; in the colony of 



Pennsylvania, near Carlisle, siiid followed farming 
as a means of livelihood. When the war broke out 
in which the people bravely battled for inde- 
pendence, he enlisted in the ranks and at the battle 
of Long Island w!is taken prisoner. However, he 
was afterward freed and at the close of the struggle 
was honorably discharged. He died in West Vir- 
ginia. 

Samuel Mealey, son of Lawrence and the father 
of our subject, was born on the 1st of May, 1782, 
in Carlisle, Pa., and was one of seven children. 
His early years were spent on a farm in West Vir- 
ginia which his father had obtained with money re- 
ceived for his services in the Revolution. He 
received libuial educational advantages and was 
graduated from William and Mary's College where 
be was a schoolmate of Gen. Scott. He then studied 
medicine in Philadelphia and embarked in the 
practice of his chosen profession in Pennsylvania. 
During the war of 1812, in which he served in the 
One Hundred Twenty-second Penns3-lvania Regi- 
ment, he became one of the principal surgeons on 
the northern frontier. Like his father he was a 
faithful soldier .and participated in the battle of 
Lundy's Lane, Erie and Black Rock. The year 
1840 witnessed his arrival in the Territory of Iowa. 
He made a location in Dutch Creek Townshi]). 
Washington County, where lie purchased live thou- 
sand acres of land. He was worth some $40,000 — 
u great amount at that day. In 1852, he sold his 
land to his son and removed to Brighton, where his 
death occurred February 17, 1875. 

In Pennsylvania, Mr. Mealey was united in mar- 
riage with Miss ]\Iargaret Blaine, whose father was 
Ephiaim Blaine, a native of Scotland and an olliccr 
in the British Army before he emigrated to Amer- 
ica. Uc was taken prisoner at the battle of Long 
Island at the same time that Lawrence M. Mealey, 
the |)aternal grandfather of our subject was cap- 
tured. Mrs. Mealey was a great-aunt of the illus- 
trious James G. Blaine. Her death also occurred 
in Brighton at the ago of seventy-nine years. Of 
the four sons born unto that worthy couple three 
engaged in the practice of medicine — Washington. 
William and Thomas. The first nuineiL who was 
the eldest of the family, dietl in Oregon; James, 
the second son, who followcil farming, died in 



254 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



.leflferson County, and William rleparted this life in 
Des Moines. The parents were life-long members 
of t'le Presbyterian Church. In the various com- 
munities where he resided, Mr. Mealey was recog- 
nized as a prominent and influential citizen. He 
was a stanch supporter of Democratic principles 
and wliile residing in Pennsylvania was honored 
with an election to the State Legislature. He felt 
the greatest opposition to all secret societies, de- 
siring to be connected with nothing which was not 
open and above board. He was not afraid to have 
liis own acts questioned, for his life was one of the 
strictest integrity and uprightness and his name 
was above reproach. 

We now take up the [lersonal history of the 
fourth son of Samuel and Margaret Mealey, as the 
one in whom the |)eople of Jefferson County are 
especially interested. The Doctor was born in 
Perry County, Pa., on the 1st of January, 1818, 
and spent his boyhood days in the school room, 
where he acquired a good English education. He 
made choice of his father's profession as a life work 
and at the age of nineteen years entered the Jeffer- 
son Medical College, after which he pursued his 
studies in the Pennsylvania Medical College and 
the rnivcr>ity of Pennsylvania, all of which are 
located in Philadelphia. At the age of twenty-one, 
he was graduated and a year later made a jjcrma- 
nent location in Iowa. He had visited the terri- 
tory in 1840, but in 1842 opened an ortice in AVash- 
ington County, where he practiced for two years. 
He then removed (o Brighton where he continued 
to practice for some thirteen years, when he came 
to Jefferson County and located upon land in Penn 
Township, adjoining his present farm. An exten- 
sive practice soon greeted him and he was recog- 
nized as one of the leading physicians of the 
county. He also became owner of about eight hun- 
dred acres of land which as the result of his care 
and cultivation yielded him an excellent in(;ome. 

Returning to his native State, in October, 1842, 
Dr. Mealey was unite<l in marriage with Miss Clara 
Griflith. but after a short married life she was 
called home, dying of consumption. In Brighton, 
in I84H. he was joined in wedlock with Miss Louisa 
Carpenter, who died of cholera in .luly, 1804, and 
in 1856, he was a third time married, the lady of 



his choice being Miss Jane Parschall. Their union 
was celebrated in Brighton and lias been blessed 
with a family of four sons and two daughters yet 
living. They also lost one child — Charles, who was 
born in June, 1857, and w.as killed on the railroad 
in Xew Mexico, in Xovember, 1884; Ira, born in 
M.ay, 1858, is engaged in mining in the Black Hills; 
.Samuel born in February, 1859, is the owner of a 
ranch in Oregon; Lake is the wife of William G. 
Smith, Lieutenant Governor of Colorado, his home 
being in Golden; Blaine, born June 21, 1864, is a 
painter of New Mexico; George, born May 10, 
1866, is running a livery in Pleasant Plain; and 
Gertrude, born Aprd .3, 1876, is still at home. 

Dr. Mealey has provided his childrf n with good 
educational advantages, all having attended the 
academy at Pleasant Plains. He and his wife are 
members of the Presbyterian Church at that place, 
and are numbered among its active workers, the 
Doctor being one of the Deacons. In an early day 
he was an Abolitionist and his home was a station 
on the Underground Railroad. During the late war 
the Doctor attended the families of soldiers free of 
charge all the time. He cast his first Presidential 
vote for Fremont in 1856, and has since been a 
stalwart Repul)lican. although not a politician. On 
election da^- he generally' deposits the first ballot 
and then leaves the polls, not wishing to be mixed 
up in the crowd which generally surrounds such a 
pLace. He is always found on the side of morality 
and the cause of temperance finds in him a most 
faithful friend. He supports all prohibition move- 
ments and was one of the most active workers in 
support of the prohibitory amendment. As a citi- 
zen he is public spirited and ready to aid in the 
advancement of an^- enterprise calculated to bene- 
fit the community. He has taken part in the won- 
derful development of the county and has aided in 
its growth and progress. He lived in Washington 
County when the Indians were so numerous that at 
one time there were two hundred encamped in his 
yard for a week, and after bis removal to Jeffer- 
son County an Indian lookout tree stood in his 
field. He also had another encounter with the 
Indians while on his way to Colorado in 1866. 
The party were attacked (uie moonlight night at 
Bovee Station, by a band of the red skins and in 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



25.5 



the encounter nine Indians were killed but the 
white men lost none. Dr. Mealey is now living a 
retiri'il life, enjoying the fruits of former toil :ind 
llie respect ;ind liigli regard of his neiglibors and 
friends. 



-^->'^iti:i;^^i^ 



*5^ APT. WILLIAM McBETlI, who for four 
j'ears gallantly defended the old flag'duriug 
* the late war, and is now a i)rominent citi- 
zen of Keosauqua, Iowa, was. born in Ijpringfield, 
Ohio, on the 8lli of October, 1839, being a son of 
John and Rachel (Kenton) McBetli. His father 
was a native of Pennsylvania, but his mother was 
born in the Buckeye State and a great grand niece 
of Simon Kenton, the celebrated Indian warrior. 
The family' of which our subject is a member num- 
bered si.\ children, five of whom are living at this 
writing in 1890, ■\Villiani being the eldest; John 
A., who served with credit in an Ohio regiment 
during the late war and is now living iu Putnan 
County', Ohio; James who was in the three months' 
service, makes his home in Zanesfield, Ohio; Sam- 
uel, who was tlie bugler in the First Missouri Sharp- 
sliooters, died in the Buckeye State; IIenr3' D. is a 
lirinter of Eldora, Kan.; Matilda is now Mrs. Fos- ' 
ler. of Kerry, Ohio. John McBeth was married pre- 
vious to his union with Rachel Kenton, and by his 
fiist wife had two children — Robert and Louisa. 
His de.ith occurred in 1852, but the mother of our 
subject long survived him, dying in 1884. They 
were both members of the Covenanter Church and 
were highly respccte<l members of the community, 
where they made their home. Mr. McBeth, strongly 
opi)osing the institution of slavery, early became 
an Abolitionist and his house was a station of the 
f:un(ius I'nderground Railroad. The suft'erings of 
many a poor negro did he alleviate anfl then aid 
him on his way to Canada and freedom. 

During the early years of his boyhood, Mr. Mc 
Beth, our sul)ject. attended the common schools 
of Clark County, Ohio, during the winter season, 
but when he was a lad of fourteen years his father 
dietl and, being the eldest of llie familv, the burden 



of caring for his rnother and the younger ( liildien 
fell upon his tender sliouldcrs. His education was 
tlius necessarily brought to an end, for the heavy 
responsibility resting upon him would permit of no 
time spent in the school room. The care of the 
family was a hard task for one so young, but the 
united efforts of mother and son koi)t the familv 
together, provided for their wants and educated 
the smaller children. Thus nobly did he perform 
the duties devolving upon him, and the same faith- 
fulness and loyalty have characterized his subse- 
quent career. 

In 1858, with the hope of bettering his financial 
condition, Mr. McBeth left his native State for the 
West, and for eighteen months engaged in breaking 
prairie in Clark and Coles Counties, 111. At the 
expiration of that time, in the autumn of 1860, he 
returned to Ohio where he spent tlie winter. A dark 
cloud was then gathering over the counti-y and the 
low roar of its tliunderings was already heard 
making many to fear for the future of the Nation. 
Mr. McBeth watched with Interest the progress of 
events, determined that if the South carried out its 
threats of secession he would strike a blow for tlie 
preservation of the Union. Ft. Sumter was fired 
upon and scarce had tlie echoes of its guns ceased 
to reverberate ere he offered his services to the 
the Governinenl, enlisting at the call for troops, 
for three months' service in the Twenly-thinl Ohio 
Infantry. The regiment, however, was mustered 
ill for three 3'ears but, not liking the captain of 
his company, Mr. McBetii refused to muster. Soon 
afterward he joined the boys in blue in Company 
E, Eighty-second Ohio Infantry, and was mustered 
in at Keiitou. Tlie regiment was ordered to West 
Virginia and at the battle of Bull Pasture Mr. Mc 
Beth was wounded. He was then sent home, but as 
soon as possible he returned to the service antl was 
maile Second Lieutenant in a company of the Forty- 
fifth Ohio Infantry. At the siege of Knoxville he was 
captured and remainid a prisoner in the South for 
sixteen month.-', during which time he fully realized 
what it meant to be a captive in the hands of the 
rebels. He was incarceialed in Libby Prison for 
five months, was confined at Macon, Ga., for six 
mouths, at Savannah, one month, and the remain- 
der of the time at Charleston and Columbia, S. C. 



256 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Twice during the time lie succeeded in maklDg liis 
escape but was botii times recaptured, and at length 
was exelianged at Wilmington, X. C. In llie win- 
ter of 1KG2-3, while at Lexington, Ky., Mr. Mc- 
Beth was promoted to the rank of First Lieutenant 
and in the fall of 1863, while yet a rebel prisoner, 
was promoted to the rank of Captain. On being 
exchanged he at once took command of his com- 
pany and remained in the service until the close of 
the war. when in .June, 1865, he was mustered out. 
On the cessation of hostilities, Capt. JIcBeth 
returned to his home in Ohio, and in February, 
1666, was united in marriage with Miss H. I. In- 
ghram, a native of the Buckeye .State. Immedi- 
ately afterward the young couple started for Van 
Bureu County, Iowa, where they have since resided. 
Their home has been blessed by the presence of six 
children, three of whom are yet living: EfHe R.. 
now the wife of the Rev. J. W. Potter, a Method- 
ist minister, at present in charge of a church in 
Burlington, Iowa; Paul II., who is a printer by 
trade, and Robert R. at home. Mrs. McBeth is 
a member of Clie Congregational C'luuch. They 
have now been resiilents of this community for al- 
most a quarter of a century and bj' tiieir lives of 
uprightness, actuated by worthy motives, tliey have 
won the high regard of those with whom they have 
come in contact. The Captain is engaged in the 
hardware business. Capt. McBeth is independent 
in politics. 




EN.IAMIN JOHNSTON, an attorney at law 
X of Keosancpia, is a native born Ilawkeye, 
his birth having occurred in Y<an Biiren 
County, on the 9lh of March, 1845. The 
family is of Scotch origin and was founded in 
America b^' Benjamin Johnston, Sr., the grand- 
father of our subject, who with his family crossed 
the Atlantic and settled in Petersburg, Va. He died 
soon afterward and thus left to his widow the care 
and support of four children, two sons and two 
daughters, namely: James, Jane. John and Mar- 



garet. Mrs. Johnston with commendable en- 
terprise, labored for her family and kept them 
all together. Not wishing to rear them|under the in- 
fluence of slaverj' she removed to Luzerne County, 
Pa., where the remainder of her life was spent. 
She was a woman of more than ordinary ability 
:ind won the respect and love of all who knew her. 
James Johnston, a member of her faniilyjand the 
father of our subject, was born in [Scotland, March 
17, 1816. and in his youth accompanied his parents 
to America. Iln .acquired such education as was 
afforded by a night school of the neighborhood, 
having toValk three miles to and from the school- 
house, but he became a well-informed man, gain- 
ing through observation and experience a practical 
knowledge which could have been acquired in no 
otlier"way. He possessed much genius as a 'me- 
chanic and could .accomplish almost any task in that 
line. On Octoberj6, 1842, in Pennsylvania, he mar- 
ried Miss .Sarah Brown, daughter of Hugh Brown 
and a sister of Judge Alex and John G. Brown, 
cashier of the Mannings Bank. In 1842 they came 
to Iowa locating in Keosauqua, where in comiiany 
with his father-in-law Mr. Johnston erected the 
first steam mill in the count3'. His knowledge of 
the business was so efficient that while in St. Louis 
purchasing the machinery for their mill he was of- 
fered the superintendency of a large machine shop 
in that city, the wages being ^1200 per annum, a 
large amount at that d.ay. He had asked permission 
to do a piece of work for himself in their shop and 
bis ready understanding of the same and evident 
knowledge of the business led to the offer before 
mentioned. He did not accept, however, but re- 
turned to Keosauqua where he began opei-ations 
for himself. His death occurred soon afterwards 
however, the final summons coming in October, 
1845. In opposition to the other members of the 
family, who were all Whigs, he supported the 
Democratic party. 

Benjamin Johnston was the only child of James 
and Sarah Johnston. He acquired his education in 
the common schools and under the direction of 
Rev. Dr. I>ane, but on the breaking out of the late 
war he laid aside his te.xt books and responded to 
the country's call for troops, enlisting in Company 
E, Fifteenth Iowa Infantry, on llie I 4th of October, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



257 



1 8() i . The regiment vvas mustc-red in at Keokuk, 
Iowa, where it remained uiilil ALareh 18, 1862, 
wlien it was sent to Benton Barracks and e(iuip|)ed. 
The first eni^agement in which tiie forces partici- 
pated was the battle of Pittsbnrj; Landing. Tliis 
was followed by the seige of Corintii and othct en- 
gagements and at the battle of luka tliey were in 
the skirmish line but did not engage in the ligiit 
proper. They afterwards returned to Corinth, tak- 
ing part in tiie hard fought battle which occurred 
at that place and later proceeded on the (irant 
campaign until tlie supplies were cut off when they 
returned to Memphis, Tenn. Tiiey participated in 
the seige of Vicksburg and spent the remaincier of 
the summer in the city. Tiie following December 
he and many of his comrades veteranized and later 
he was commissioned First Lieutenant in the Sixty- 
seventh United Litates Colored Infantry. Through- 
out his entire serrice Mr. Johnston proved a 
faithful and stalwart soldier who was not afraid to 
perform his dut}', but quietly and promptly dis- 
charged every task devolving upon him. On the 
14th of August, 18G5, at his own I'cquest he was 
discharged. 

On his return from the .South Mr. Johnston se- 
cured a position as salesman in a drug house, after 
which he went upon the road as a commercial trav- 
eler. The summer of 1874, he spent in Kansas but 
the grasshopper provea such a plague that tiie same 
fall he returned and once more obtained a position 
as salesman. In 1875, he again traveled on tiie 
road, after which he embarked in the drug business 
for himself, continuing operations in that line for 
eighteen months. He began preparations for liis 
present business in 1877, reading law under thedi- 
rectibn of Judge Robert Sloan and the following 
April was admitted to the bar. since wliicli time he 
has been in active practice. 

Mr. Johnston was married in Keosauquain 1867, 
the lady being Miss Annie R., daughter of A. J. 
Purviancc. Six children have been born unto 
them — Maggie, wlio is a graduate of tlie high 
school of Keosauqua anil of tlie School of Phonog- 
raphy, of Des Moines; James, a telegraph o|)era- 
tor; Mary, Ella. Sarah and Donald, who are still 
with tlieir parents. 

Socially, Mr. Johnston is a Mason, an Odd Fel- 



. low and a member of the Gran:l Army of the Re- 
piililic. He takes great interest in civic societies 
and has held imi)ortant oflices in tlie various lodges 
to which he belongs. In 188(1, he was elected 
County Attorney of Van Biiren County, serving 
two years. In his political atfiliations he is a stanch 
Republican. frequently serving as delegate to county 
and Slate conventions and has been a member of 
the State Central Committee. He dues all in his 
power to advance the interests of the party and se- 
cure its success, yet has never sought political pre- 
ferment for himself. By those who know him Mr. 
Johnston is held in high esteem, which he well merits 
for he has lived a worthy, upright life, is a good 
citizen, an able lawyer, and more than all, a trusted 
friend in whom one can place implicit confidence. 



^-^^ 



■Jt 






•OHN C. ABRAHAM, an intelligent and re- 
spected farmer of Locust (irove Township. 
Jefferson County, residing on section 1, is 

a valued citizen of the community for he 

labors for its best interests and fgives his support 
to everything calculated to benefit or advance the 
general welfare. He has lived in the county since 
three j'ears of age. He was born in Butler County, 
Ohio, in 1839, and in a family of si-x children, 
whose parents were Charles and Elizabeth (Howell) 
Abraham, w.is second in order of birth. His pa- 
ternal grandparents. Lot and .Susan (Griffin) Abra- 
ham, were natives of Pennsylvania, and at an 
early day emigrated to Ohio, whence they came 
to Jefferson County, Iowa, in 1842. Locating in ' 
Fairfield Township, Mr. Abraham made his home 
on a farm, which he there developed until his 
death, which occurred in 1852. His wife survived 
him a number of years, dying in 1863. The ma- 
ternal grandiiarents of the subject of this sketch 
were John and Nancy Howell. Maryland was the 
State of their nativity, but they became pioneer 
settlers of Indiana. 

Charles Abraham was born in Butler County, 
I Ohio. In the year 1836 he was united in marri.ige 



258 



I'OUTKAIT AND HIUGKAIMUCAL ALBUM. 



with Miss Eliznltetli Howell, ami after llic birth of 
Lot, who is now inariit;ii ami resiilcs in Oltumwa, 
.loiin, the subject of this sketcii, ami .lames IL, 
they came to Iowa, making a settlement in Fairfield 
'I'ownship, .leffersou Coiintv, but after a year they 
removed to a claim in Locust Grove Township, 
which was still the home of Mr. Abraham at the 
time of his death, in 1877. His wife was called to 
her final rest in 1882. James H. is married and 
resides in Black Hawk Township. He enlisted, in 
18112, in C'onii)any IL Thirtieth Iowa Infantry, for 
three years,recci ved a shell wound during his service 
and was discharged at l)aven()ort, in 18fi.5. Griffin, 
the next younger, is married and makes his home 
in Fairfield; W. T. resides on the olil homestead; 
Charles is married and is now living in Polk 
County, Iowa, whither he removed in March, 1890. 

As will h.ive been seen, our subject has spent 
almost his entire life in this countj'. He was reared 
among the wild scenes of pioneer da3-s, with the 
family shared in the hardships and struggles of 
frontier life and was educated in the subscription 
schools. At the age of twenty years he started out 
in life for himself, but at the age of twenty-two 
laid iisid(! the plow for the equipments of war. Re- 
sponding to the country's call for troops, he en- 
listed at Abingdon, on the lOlh of August, 1862. 
in Company II, Thirtieth Iowa Infantry, for three 
years' .service. He was mustered in at Keokuk, 
joined the Army of the Tennessee and participated 
in the following battles: Atlanta, Chattanooga, 
Murfreesboro, .Missionary Ridge, Lookout Moun- 
tain, Kenesaw and Dallas. He was with Sherman's 
army on the March to the Sea, took part in the 
Carolina campaign, including the battles of Beau- 
fort, Columbia and Raleigh, and participated in 
the Grand Review at Washington, D. C, at the 
close of the war. He was mustered out at W.ash- 
ington, D. C, about the 1st of June, 186;'), and 
on the IGlli of that month was honorably dis- 
charged in Davenport. 

When hostilities had ceased and the result for 
which they had struggled had come to |)ass, Mr. 
Abraham returned to Jefferson County. The fal- 
lowing year, in the month of August, he united 
his destiny with that of Miss Kizzie K. Workman, 
one of the fair daughters of Jefferson County. 



Her parents were John and Delilah Melissa (Kerr) 
Workman, natives of Kcntuckj' and Tennnesse re- 
spectively. In 1810, when a young man, her 
father came to this county and, settling in Bu- 
chanan Township, entered land and improved a 
farm. His wife died at that home on the 16th of 
January, 1889, since which time Mr. Workman re- 
moved to Fairfield, where he is now living. 

Mr. and Mrs. Abraham began their domestic 
life in Polk Township, but after two years removed 
to Buchanan Township, where he lived for a year 
or two. He then made a permanent location at his 
l)resent pl.ace of residence, where he has a highly 
improved farm of one hundred .and seventy acres. 
Mr. Abrah.im is a progressive farmer, whose prac- 
tical ideas and enterprising business methods rank 
him among the leading agriculturists of the com- 
munity-. In his efforts to acipiire a competence he 
was amply assisted by his excellent wife, but in 
1888 he was called upon to mourn her loss, she 
dying on the .'5d of May. after a lingering illness 
of some ten months, leaving three children — Min- 
nie, Eldward M. and WeMay. 

Jlr. Abraham is a member of the Methodist 
Church, of Rrookville, belongs to (ieorge Strong 
Post, G. A. R., of Fairfield, and in politics is an 
advocate of Democratic principles. 



'JT/OHN N. M(3RrON. We take pleasure in 



W: 



presenting to the readers of the Album this 
sketch of the life work of Mr. Morton, a 
prominent merchant and farmer of Keo.sau- 
qua, Iowa. He was born in Windsor County-, VI., 
July 30, I8;i2, and is a son of John Morton. His 
father was born in Wellington, N. C, in 1795, of 
English parentage, and when a lad of eleven years 
he shipped as a cabin boy on a vessel loadcMl with 
suijar for St. I'etersburg. During the voyage the 
ship was wrecked in the Baltic Sea and the greater 
part of the crew was lost, but Mr. Morton, with a 
few others, succeeded in gaining land. For a time 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



259 



he then remained with a Dutch fanner, but llie 
spirit of adventure was strong witliin him, and 
tiring of the dull routine of tliai life lie again 
boarded a vessel and followed the sea until twentj'- 
two years of age. About 1817, landing at Cape 
Cod, he there found a party of emigrants en route 
for A'ermont, and joining the colony he located At 
Weathersfield, where he became acquainted with 
and married Miss .Silence Ranney. The following 
year he removed to Rochester, ^'t., where the 
death of Mrs. Morton occurred in 1H20. He after- 
ward wedded Miss Polly INIorgan, a native of the 
(Ireen Jlountain State, and by their union were 
born five children, who lived to mature years, 
namely: .Silence R., who became the wife of Millon 
Packard, and is now deceased; Emeline. wife of 
G. L. Chaffee, of Rochester, Vt.; .lohn X.. of this 
sketcli; Mary K., wife of B. F. Hackett, of Appa- 
noose County. Iowa; and Calista F., wife of Henry 
Moss, of Butte City, Mont. The father <>f this 
family died in 1870, and his wife in 1888. 

Our subject spent the d.iys of his boyhood and 
youth in the State of his n3tivit3-, where he ac- 
quired a good English education in the common 
and select schools. Studious by nature, and pos- 
sessing a retentive memory, he soon mastered the 
common branches, and at the age of eighteen rni- 
barkeil in teaching, being emploj'ed at West 
Rochester, where he received •?!() per month and 
"boarded 'round," in the manner common at that 
day. Having thereby acquired some funds, the 
following winter he entered the IJelhel Lympus 
School, but before the term had expired liis he;dth 
gave waj", and for nearly a year he was confined'to 
his bed. As soon as he had partially regained Irts' 
strength he entered the store of Briggs A- Price as 
a salesman, remaining with that firm eight months, 
after which he was employed in that same capacitj-, 
in what w.as known as the '• I'nion Store," for three 
j-ears, at ^75 per year. It v,-as in 18,56 that Mr. 
Morton came West in search of health and fortune 
on the broad prairies of the Mississi|)pi X'alle^y. He 
first made a location in Galesburg, 111., and secured 
a position in an establishment where thirteen clerks 
were employed, but he being the newcomer was 
forced to beai' all the drudgery, and had to give 
up the position as his constitution was not able to 



bear the strain thus placed upon it. He then re- 
solved to seek his friend, Dr. Guernsey, who was 
living in Van Buren County, Iowa. He made his 
way by rad to Mt. Pleasant, then the terminus of 
the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Road, and by 
stage proceeded to Keosauqua, arriving at his des- 
tination in 1856. The first night in Van Buren 
County he sp mt under the roof of James Shepherd, 
one of the early settlers, who kept a hotel or puljlic 
house. 

The following day Mr. Morton sought out his 
friend, and by the succeeding Saturday had made 
a permanent location in Van Buren County, bar- 
ing secured the position of teacher of the school in 
what was known as the Joseph INIoore district. 
After teaching through the winter season, in the 
pring of 1857 he embarked in the mercantile busi- 
ness, opening a small general store in Lebanon. 
Ill January, 1858, he came to Keosauqua, where he 
formed a partnership with Mr. Gaines, the con- 
nection continuing until the fall of the same year, 
wlicn the}' sold out. Tiie same autumn Mr. Mor- 
ton purchased a stock <jf drugs, and formed a 
partnershi|, 'with Dr. (Jiiernsey, they continuing 
business tog either until the spring of 186l>, when 
Mr. Morton purchased his partner's interest, and 
has since been alone. As lime has passed he has 
added different departments to his store, and now 
has one of the largest general stores in the city. 
Since 1858 he h.as been connected with the mercan- 
tile interests of Keosauqua, and,. throughout the 
county is widel}' and favocabl}- known as a man of 
sterling worth, uiwight and honorable in all his 
dealings. His courteous treatment and desire to 
■please his customers has secured for him a liberal 
|)atronage, and the establishment of which he is the 
head, ranks among the leading l)usiness interests of 
the community. 

In the fall of 1865. in Bridgewater, Vt.. Mr. 
Morton was united in marriage with Miss Kmma 
V. White, daughter of Gilbert and Viola Wliile, 
who were residents of that place. They are mem- 
bers of the Congregational Church, and occupy a 
high position in the social world. Mr. Morton 
may trulv be called a self made man, .as his success 
is due entirely to his own efforts. His life nmy 
well serve as an example to young men who, like 



260 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



liimself, have to enter the world with no capital 
save the talents with which nature lias endowed 
them. It may well encourage them to renewed 
efforts when reverses overtake them, and like a 
beacon star in the sky of the future point the way 
to success. As to all, reverses came to him, but 
by a determined will, industry and enterprise he 
overcame such disadvantages and worked his way 
upward to a position of affluence, and throusrli ail 
his honor has remained unsullied, and no one in llie 
community stands higher in the estimation of his 
fellow-citizens tlian does .1. N. Morion, of Keo- 
sauqua. 



mil 



ON. .TOHN WILLIAMSON.Snperintendont 

jl, of the County Poor Farm of Jefferson 

County, was born in Penrith. Cumberland 

County, P^niihind. December 2."), 1822. His 
father, Ricliard Williaiiison, was a stonemason 1)3' 
trade aiid a weaver of fancy goods, but followed 
the latter occupation during the greater of his life. 
He married Margaret Patterson, a woman of ex. 
eellent qualities of head and heart, and at her knee 
young .John received the rudiments of education, 
for he never attended school, except ISuiid.ay- 
school. But throughout life he has been a student 
and has acquired a valuable fund of knowledge 
which many having the advantages of scholastic 
training, might well envy. AVhen fourteen years 
of age he was deprived of tiie loving influence and 
care of his mother who died at the age of forl^- 
years, leaving live children, three sons and two 
daughters. Only one of his brothers came to the 
ruilcd .States, Hiram, who crossed the waters in 
1H.')0, and is now a boss weaver in Massachusetts. 
I.ale in life his father also came to America where 
he ^iient his last days, his death occurring in Fair- 
li. I 1. Iowa, NovcmJKM 1.3, 18(50, twelve days be- 
fcic his sixty-seventh birlhd.ay. 

When a lad of eleven years John Williamson 
learned the weaver's trade with his father and con- 
tinued to follow that pursuit during his residence 



in his native land. On the 8lh of May, 1851, he 
married Susan Marsden, a native of Yorkshire, 
England, born December 16, 1818, and on the six- 
ty-fifth anniversary of American independence they 
sailed for this country. After a voyage of six 
weeks on the briny deep, they reached Boston Har- 
bor in August. 1851. Going to Dover, N. II., both 
Mr. and Mrs. Williamson began work in a factory, 
for their money had all been expended on the lri[) 
and something must be done imniediately to pro- 
vide for their support. During four years of la- 
bor and saving, the3- had acquired enough to enable 
them to raiike an investment in western lands and 
with that purpose in view Ihe.v came to Jefferson 
County in Ma^', 1855, where they purchased fifty 
acres of prairie land, four miles west of Fairfield. 
It had taken the proceeds of seven ^ears of labor in 
Knglan.l to bring the j'ouug couple to the United 
States, whereas, as the result of four years labor in 
Dover, they cleared nearly 81000 or enough to buy 
a comfortable home. By industry and economy 
they afterwards extended the boundaries of their 
farm, until now one luiiidred and twenty acres i)a\s 
to them a goldin tribute in return for the care and 
cultivation bestowed upon it. 

Ir) Keosauqiia on llie 30lli of October, 1856, ;\Ir. 
Williamson became a naturalized citizen of Amer- 
ica, since which time, he has been a stanch supporter 
of Rejnibliean principles. He has always taken an 
active interest in public affairs anil at the lime the 
county board consisted of one supervisor for each 
towuship, he was appointed lo fill the vacancy 
caused by the death of Jlr. Hampson, and was 
elected the succeeding term. In 1881. he made 
the race for the Legislature on the Republican 
ticket. The question submitting the prohibition 
amendment was then the all important issue. He 
was .asked his views and in a letter to the prohibi- 
tion club of Pleasant Plain, he announced his de- 
termination to favor submission. The Re[niblicans 
published his letter and so did the Democrats, b^- 
lacking it up in public places and in saloons where 
their partisans would be certain to see it. The 
county was thoroughly aroused and though the 
Republican majority was only about one hundred, 
Mr. Williamson carried the day by a vote of four 
hundred and thiity-two above his opponent. In 




^'■' ^^9^ 



< 

< 

O 

o 

UJ 
CD 
ui 
cc 




< 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



263 



the Legislature he did some good work. He took a 
stimd against the industrial bill which proposed to 
iiiaUe the Slate Agricultural Society a State institu- 
tion, and by his personal inlUience defeated it. In 
18!SG he was sekK'ted from sume six candidates 
as Superintendent of the County Farm and siiould 
have assumed the duties of the position !Maroh 1, 
1887. Owing to tlie mismanagement and the extreme 
dissatisfaction given by his predecessor. Mr. Wil- 
liamson was substituted before that time. I'nder 
his cHii'ient management the cost of conducting the 
faun has been greatly reduced, and almost without 
an exception he has found favor in the eyes of all 
the citizens of the coutity. During the war he 
served a sliO)t lime as commissary for the home 
guards, tlu; stores consisting of five gallons of 
brandy. (P. S. He was not a Prohibitionist at 
that time.) 

As a public speaker Mr. Williamson is in great 
ik-mand, whether at Old Settlers Associations, in 
political campaigns or as a Fourth of July orator. 
His speeches abound in native eloquence and in- 
vincible logic. His maiden speech was macle in 
Burlington, Iowa, where he nominated M. A. Mc- 
Coid for Congress. He takes an active part in po- 
litical conventions and is said, by those who have 
been [lilted against him, to be a lianl ,man to out- 
general. I'ndcr H\v disadvantages of poverty and 
lack of educational opportunities Mr. Williamson 
had to fight his own battles, and is, in the truest 
sense of the word, a self-made man. 




MITH BALL, of Fairfield, a pioneer of Jef- 
ferson County, was born in Madison County, 
Ky., on the 29th of July, 1810, and is a son 
of John and Xanc^- (Adams) Ball. His fa- 
ther was a native of Virginia, where he wjis reared to 
manhood. Crossing the line into North Carolina, he 
there became ncquainled with, and married Miss 
Adams, and subsequently removed with his wife to 
Kentucky. He was a well-to-do fanner, and a 
worthy and respected citizen. His death occurred 



when our subject was twelve years of age, thus 
leaving to his widow the care of a family of eleven 
children, numbering four sons and seven daughters. 
Mrs. Ball managed to keep her children together, 
and provide for their wants until they could care 
for themselves, and after they had homes of their 
own, she spent her time with the diflferent members 
of her family, living to an advanced age. 

Our subject is the only survivor of the once large 
famil}', and he has now attained to the advanced 
age of eighty years. His early life was spent in his 
native Slate, where he received a common-school 
education. As soon as he was old enough, he took 
upon himself the management of the home farm, 
and continued its care until 1829, when he went to 
Sangamon County, III. During his residence there 
he frequently saw Abraham Lincoln, then a j-oung 
lawj'er just entering upon his professional career. 
Mr. Ball entered forty acres of land, and again re- 
sumed the occupation of farming. About this time 
considerable trouble with the Indians occurred, and 
in 1831 he went on a campaign against the Black 
Hawk tribe, going as far as I\<jck Island. The fol- 
lowing spring he was .again engaged in Indian war- 
fare, the campaign contijiuing eighty days, during 
which time two battles occurred, one on the Wis- 
consin River, and the other at Bad Ax, on the Mis- 
sissippi. 

On the l.')th of June, 1837, Mr. Ball was united 
in marriage with Rebecca Moffett. who was born in 
Fiiyette County, Kv., February 27. 1814, and a 
daughter of Oeorge and Rebecca ((iilkisson) .Mof- 
fett. Virginia was their native State, and in the 
Old Dominion their marriage was celebrated, but 
later they removed to Kentucky, and about 1823 
became residents of Sangamon County. 111., where 
the mother died. Mr. Moffett subsequently re- 
moved to Ml. Pleasant, Iowa, where his death oc- 
curred in 1864. In their family were ten chiblren, 
of wh.om three daughters are now living. 

More than half a centur3- has elapsed since Mr. 
Ball first set foot o: Iowa soil. In the autumn of 
1839, he crosseil the Father of Waters, and located 

I in Mt. Pleasant, but in April of the following year 
he came to Jefferson County, and settled in Hound 
Prairie Township, where he bought about one bun- 

I dred and forty acres of land. He and his worthy 



2C. I 



roRTRAI'I" AND lUOGRAlMIICAL ALBUM. 



wife lifgan life o" Hie WisUrii frontier in U in- pio- 
neer t-tylp. tlicir li.>me bcin-r :i little \og eiMn 1-1x14 
feet. Soon afterward, however, he erected a frame 
dwelling. H;xl8 feet, with a stone diimnpy. a palace 
it was thoujiht in those (lavs. In his farming ope- 
rations Mr. Hall prosp.rc<l. He is industrious, en- 
terprising: ami progressive, and thoroughly under- 
standing his hiisiness. he has met with a degree of 
success of which he has just reason to be proud. 
He kept adding to his land nntd at one time his 
possessions aggregated live hundred acres, three 
hundred and seventy of which he still owns, the en- 
tire amount lieing well improved and cultivated. 
Each year he added to his capital, until at length, 
having acquired acorn fortahle competence, in 1883, 
he retired from liusiness life, .and took up his resi- 
dence in Fairfield, where he is now living in the 
enjoyment of the fruits of former toil. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Ball have been born eight chil- 
dren: Ann. wife of AVilliani Case, a resident farmer 
of this county; Melissa, wife of George Phillips, 
who is also engaged in farming; Nancy J., who 
died at the age of twenty-two years; .Sarah, who 
(licil in infancy; George W., a legal practitioner 
of Iowa City; Cassandra, wife of Richard Fisher, a 
f.irmcr; Lewis C, who is also engaged in agricul- 
tural pursuits; and Frank 1'., who follows the same 
business. 

Mr. Hall has served his townsliii) as .lustice of 
the Peace, and has also held the office of County 
Commissioner. lie was an Odd Fellow for a num- 
lur of years, and helped iirganize the lod^e at (ilas- 
gow, Iowa, but is now an non-affiliated member. 
In his political views he vv'as formerly a Democrat, 
but since 1876 has voted with the Prohibition 
party. Both Mr. Ball and his wife are members of 
llie Christian Church, and are numbered .among its 
faithful supporters. This worthy couple have trav- 
eled life's journey together as man and wife for the 
long period of fifty -three years. They began in a 
.humble way with little which they could call their 
own, reared a family of eight children, and were 
forced to overcome many of the difficulties of fron- 
tier life. Their lives have been darkened by sor- 
row, yet have been brightened by joy, they have 
met with reverses, yet their prosperity li.as been 
greater, and hand in hand they have traveled earth's 



journey, placing their dependence in the Father of 
all, until at length they have reached a peaceful old 
age, where they may rest from the toils of life, sur- 
rounded by loving children and warm friends. 



«^^ 



f^^HOMAS L. HOFFMAN, one of Fairfield's 
,/^S^ esteemed citizens, is a representative of 
^^^' one of the older families of this city. His 
parents, Philip and Margaret (Lewis) Hoffman, lo- 
cating in .Tefiferson County, in 184.5. are luimbeicd 
among its honored pioneers. Tracing the ancestry 
of the family back through several generations, we 
find that the great-grandfather of our subject, ac- 
comi)anied by a brother, emigrated to America 
prior to the Revolutionary War. He was a Pres- 
byterian clergyman, and w.os the father of seven 
sons, the youngest of whom, Peter Hoffman, is the 
next in the line of direct descent. He married 
Barbara Anthony, who was a native of Maryland, 
although her ancestors came from near the border 
line of Switzerland and France. Peter Hoffman was 
a |K)tter by trade, and lived to the age of sixty-two 
years, while his wife reached the age of sixty-four 
years. They were the parents of nine children, of 
whom the youngest and only one living, is the fa- 
ther of our subject. 

Philip Hoffman first openeil his eyes to the light 
of day in Lancaster, Pa., May 4, 1815. In his 
youth he was not surrounded by many advantages, 
his opportunities for securing an education were 
limited, and at the early .age of fifteen years, he be- 
gan learning the carpenter's trade, serving an ap- 
prenticeship of three years. At the expiration of 
that time he commenced work as a journeyman in 
Detroit, Mich. In 1832, he was employed in Chi- 
cago, at that time a mere hamlet, where property" 
could be obtained at a nominal price. Almost any 
where in Illinois he could get an acre of land for a 
d.ay's work. As a carpenter on a boat, he went 
down the Mississippi River to New Orleans, but the 
cholera was prevailing, and he returned. Proceed- 
ing up the Ohio to Cincinnati, he went to Batavia, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALRUM. 



265 



an inland town, hoping to escape the disease, but 
liarilly had hf reached llie place, wlieii the fatal 
plague hrolio out. On he went to Pittshurg, but 
the disease had become so [irevalent in that city, 
that no one was allowed to stop, so he returned to 
Huntingdon. In that city, on the UJth of March, 
1830. he wedded Margaret Lewis, a native of Mon- 
mouthshire, England, born November 20, 1817. 
ller parents. John and l^lizabcth I^ewis, spent their 
entire lives in the old country where her father en- 
gaged in merchandi ing. Miss Lewis came to the 
I'nited States when about fourteen years of age. 

In 184'), accompanied by his wife, ;SIr. Hoffman 
reached Fairlield. where he worked at his trade of 
carpenteiing forty years. JIany residences still 
stand as monuments of his industry, and a portion 
of the Leggett house was erected by him. Like his 
father. he advocated the principles of the Whig jiarty 
until the formation of the Republican partj-. when 
he espoused that cause, being still one of its adhe- 
enls. His wife is a member of the liaptist Chureli. 
For the past fifteen years she has been alllicted with 
total blindness, but bears her affliction with Chris- 
tian fortitude. 

In the family of Pliili() and Margaret Ildt'fman 
were eight children, as follows: Dr. William, the 
eldest, practicing physician of Sigourney, Iowa, 
served nearly three years as surgeon in the Navy 
during the late war, and toward the close was made 
surgeon in charge of the squadron of the Tennes- 
see; Thomas L. is the next younger; Isaac served 
nearly four years in the late war as a member of 
Company F. Third Iowa Cavalry; Isaiah, who wsis 
in the border service, died in his twenty-second 
year; Henrietta is the wife of J. A. Montgomery; 
Emma is the wife of T. Y. Jlorrison; Alice died 
when nineteen years of age; Maigaret. the young- 
est, died in childhood. 

We now come to the immediate history of the 
subject of this sketch, Thomas L. Hoffman, who 
lias been prominently identified with the history of 
Fairfield, and her business interests. He was but 
six years of age at the time of the removal of his 
parents to this city, and hence In's education w.as 
acquired in her pul)lic schools. He was born in 
Huntingdon, Pa., on the 24th of August, 1839, but 
memory takes in only his residence in his adopted 



j State. His early education was supplemented by a 
course in the Fairlield I'niversity, of which ho is a 
graduate, but prior to attending college and dur- 
ing his vacations, he worked at the [jlasterer's trade, 
and upon the completion of his collegiate course 
he entered the law ofliec of Slagle & Acheson, be- 
ing admitted to practice in the district courts early 
in 1861. He was not destined then to engage in 
practice, events were shaping themselves otherwise, 
and the time of the Civil War was drawing near. 
Hardly had he l)ccn admitted to the bar, before hos- 
tilities began, and twelve da^-s after the firing upon 
Ft. Sumter, he enlisted in Comi)any E, Second 
Iowa Infantry, his regiment being the first to leave 
the State for the scene of C(jnflict. He particifia- 
ted in the three noted battles, Ft. Donelson, Shiloh, 
and Corinth, besides manj' minor engagements, 
coining out unscathed, and after a faithful ser- 
vice of three years, was discharged in Louisville, 
Ky., May 28. 1864. 

Immediately after being mustered out of service. 
Air. Hoffman returned to his home, and in 1865 
sought a location in the West. He settled in Brown- 
viUe, Neb., where he was admitted to practice in 
the I'nited States District Court. Meeting Charles 
D. McGuffy, son of the author of the school books 
bearing that name, together the two visited Salt 
Lake City, Arizona. Montana, Oregon, and British 
Columbia. F^xcept in Montana, where he engaijed 
in mining. Mr. Hoffman ran a p.ack train. In 1868, 
he returned to Fairfield, and for seven years car- 
ried on contracting and building. He then en- 
gaged in the insurance business, and held the office 
of .histice of the Peace for some years. In 1882, he 
was appointed by President Arthur, Postmaster of 
Fairfield, and continued to serve in that position 
for more tiian four years. Change of administra- 
tion caused him to be superseded by an adherent 
of the party in power, and once more he turned his 
attention to contracting, having charge of the con- 
struction of some important works, including the 
superintendency of the building of the wagon f.-ic- 
tory of Turner & Co., in which he also pl;»ced the 
machinery. 

In Fairfield, on the lOth of .lune, 1868, a mar- 
riage ceremony united the destiides of Thomas L. 
Hoffman and Miss Ellen King, who is a native of 



2W 



I'OKTUAIT AND HIOGRAPIMCAL ALBUM. 



Clinton, 111., and a <lMii<jliU'r of Dr. J. E. King. 
I'lilo tlifin h.is Ix'fn born onouliiUl. Ella. Socially, 
Mr. Iliiflfman is a Kniylil Tumplar Mason, and a 
member of tlie Eastern 8tar. to whifli his wife also 
belongs. Pulili<"illy, be is a Uepublican. His cir- 
cle of friends und acquaintances in Jefferson County 
is large, and inclndes many who bave been wit- 
Mpsses of Irs career from boyhood, which fact indi- 
cates that he has led a iisofnl and respeeled life, and 
is now regarded as a worthy citizen. 



♦^E 



E^ 






»i IftlLLIAM DUN WOODY, retired, one of the 
\rj// early settlers of Fairfield, claims Pennsyl 
Jn? vania .as the Slate of his nativity. He was 
born in Somerset County, on the 1st of March, 
1811. and is.a son of Robert and Su.sanni (Reahm) 
Duiiwoody. Little is known concerning the early 
hi.-lory of the family except that the father was of 
Scolcli-lrish descent, and liie mother a descendant 
of (ierman ancestry. Robert Dunwoo<ly made 
f.-irniinij his chief occupation through life, but was 
a great admirer of and always kept on hand a 
number of fine horses. His marriage was celebr.ated 
in the Keystone State, but about 1817, he left the 
Entt and removed with his family to Ohio, settling 
near Coshocton, whence he afterward removed to 
Columbus. In the Buckeye State he was engaged 
in running freight wagons, hauling freight from 
Cincinnati and other cities to Philadelphia. He 
lived to the age of sixty years and his widow after- 
ward became the wife of Austin Groodrich, with 
whom she came to Iowa about 184S. The}' settled 
in Van Buren County, where the death of Mrs. 
( i roodrich occurred when some sevent}" years of age. 
By her first marriage she had six children but our 
subject, who was the fourth in order of birth, is the 
only one known to he living. She also had six 
children by her second marri.ige. 

William Dunwoody's early life was not sur- 
rf)undiMl willi many advantages. The educational 
privileges afforde<I him were such as the common 
schools provided, and he was permitted to attend 



little after attaining the age of nine years. At that 
time his mother and step-fatLer removed to a farm 
and he remained at liome assisting in the cultiva- 
tion of the laud until twenty-two years of age, 
when he went to Columbus to learn the tinner's 
trade. Previously' he had acquired a practical 
knowledge of tinner's tools in his step-father's siiop 
and after two years spent in Columbus his em- 
ployer informed him that he was master of the 
business. Ilis proficiency enabled him easily- to 
obtain positions and he worked at the business in 
Cincinnati and Da}'ton, Oliio. Chiliicothe, Mo., and 
other cities. 

One of the most important events in the life of 
Mr. Dunwoody occurred in Dolaw.are. Delaware 
County, Ohio, where on the 21st of May, 1837, he 
led to the marriage altar Miss Sarah Murphy, wjio 
was born in Zanesville, Oliio, April 10, 1815. and is 
a daughter of Patrick and Amelia (Ruckel)Murphy. 
Her parents were both natives of Limerick, Ireland, 
where they married. Two children were born to 
them in that counlrj- and about 1812 they emi- 
grated with their family to America, locating in 
Pennsylvania. Their deaths occurred in the same 
year in Columbus, Ohio, the husband being about 
fifty 3'ears of age, and his wife forty-sis. In their 
family' were eight children. 

In May, 1849, Mr. and Mrs. Dunwoody became 
residents of Fairfield, then a mere hamlet. In those 
ilays they used grease lamps instead of electricity, 
and many other adjuncts of pioreer life were found 
in their home. Mr. Dunwoody established a bus 
line and successfully' engaged in that buisness for 
some years, but ;it length misfortune overtook him 
and he lost almost everything he had. In his po- 
litical sentiments he was formerly a Whig and cast 
his first Presidential vote for Henry Cla}', but since 
the rise of the Republican part}- he has identified 
himself with tiiat organization. For nearly forty 
j'cars he has been connected with the Odd Fellows 
society, and he and his vvife have been faithful 
members of the Episcopal Church through almost 
their entire lives. 

To this worthy couple were born seven children, 
but four of the number died in childhood. Will- 
iam P., the eldest of the surviving ones, was edu- 
cated in Griswold College, of Davenport, subse- 



PORTRAIT AND 15I0GRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



267 



quoiitly lii'ld .'i position in the Trensurj- Department 
at Wiishinirton, D. C. .ind later was grarluated from 
tlie law seliool of Washinijton. lie was with the 
great Jay Cook at the time of the failure of that 
gentleman; was a member of the National Hoard 
of Health, and is now connected with the Kquitable 
Life Insurance Company of New York City; Capt. 
II. II. C, the next younger, was graduated from 
the Millitary School of West I'oinl in IHGG, and is 
employed in the I'nited States Signal Service oflice 
at Washington, and is a, member of the regular 
army. Rising steadily- step by step, he was ali 
length promoted to the rank of Captain in June. 
18S;); Francis M..tlie youngest child, completed 
his education in Washington, D. C, and for eight 
years has been employed in the revenue service. 

Mr. and Mrs. Dunwoody cannot boast of great 
wealth amassed, but of their children they have 
reason to be proud. They have toiled and deprived 
themselves of comforts in order to give their boys 
the best possible opportunities, and in return their 
sous show the greatest consideration for their loved 
parents, leaving nothing undone that will add to 
their comfort. 



-^ 



SISAIAH MESSENGER, senior member of the 
I firm of Messenger & Raney. manufacturers of 
lis tile, of Fairfield, ranks among the enter|)rising 
business men of that flourishing little city, where 
he has now made his home for eleven years. In 
Madison County, N. Y., on the 25th of January, 
1841, he was born. His parents, Samuel and F.u- 
nice (Miner) Messenger, were both natives of Con- 
necticut, and the father was of Welsh descent. 
During youth, both children emigrated with their 
respective families to the Empire Stale, where they 
grew to maturit}', and were married. About 1838, 
they rqraoved to Chicago, and entered one hundred 
and sixt}' acres of land, now comprised within the 
corporation limits of that city, but on account of 
sickness they removed to the Buckeye .State, mak- 
ing a settlement in Madison County. Mr. Mes- 



senger operated a farm, ran a w(jolcn mill, engaged 
in the manufacture of potash, and carried on other 
lines of industry, including a dry-gof)ds store. He 
was a wide-awake and competent business man, 
sagacious, far-sighted and enei-getic, and a.s a re- 
sult, met with success in alraf)st every undertaking. 
He had also taught school in earlier life, and be- 
came an e.Kcellent scribe. He never aspired to ofll- 
cial positions, but was an ardent Whig until the 
dissolution of that party, when he became a stanch 
supporter of Republican principles. His death oc- 
curred at iil)out^the age of sixty years, after which 
Mrs. Messe.iger came to Iowa and s|)ent her last 
d.ays in Dcs Moines County. She also had attained 
her sixtieth year at tlie lime of her death. In their 
family were seven children, live of whom, three 
sons and two daughleis are yet living. 

The subject of this sketch, Isaiah Messenger, wag 
the fifth in order of birth. He received such edu- 
cational advantages as the common schools of that 
day afforded, and was reared to farm life, assisting 
his father until twenty-one years of age when he 
launched out in business for himself. The j'ear 
18G3 witnessed his arrival in Des Moines County-, 
Iowa, where he was excliislvely engaged In agri- 
cultural |)nrsuits for six years. In 1869, in con- 
nection with his farm work, he began making tile 
by hand process, capacity two thousand per day. 
W^ith increased patronage, he enlarged his facilities 
until he owned a good steam power factory with a 
capacity of about ten thousand three-inch tile. Af- 
ter ten years he determined to change his place of 
location, and on selling out in 1879, came to Fair- 
field, where he formed a partnership with William 
Elliott in the manufacture of tile, to which he had 
formerly devoted a part of his time. They built a 
plant which they have improved until they can 
turn o\it fifteen thousand three-inch tile per day. 
In 1886 Mr. Elliott sold his interest to Mr. A. C. 
Raney, and the firm became Messenger & Raney. 
They find a ready sale for their product over Iowa, 
Missouri, Kansas, and Nebraska, and furnish em- 
ployment to sixteen hands. Mr. Messenger is also 
interested in the raisin business in Fresno County, 
Cal. 

While a resident of Des Moines Count}', Mr. 
Messenger, on the 22d of Febiuarv, 1866, formed 



268 



POHTRAIT AND BIOUKAFHICAL ALBUM. 



a matriiiioiiial alliance with Kate Banily. a native 
of Dcs Moines County', Iowa, and a flaujjiiter of 
,Iohn and Mary (Vanice) Bandy, who were among 
the early .settlers of that county. They became 
parents of four cliildren. hut two died in infancy, 
and Majrfjie lived to he only eleven years old. 
Otis is the only surviving one. They also have an 
adopted daughter. Miss Mary Handy, who finds a 
pleasant home with her adopted parents. Both Mr. 
Messenger and his wife are members of the Presby- 
terian Church of Fairfield, of which he has been 
Trustee for ten years. He has ever supported the 
Republican party, having cast his first Presidental 
vote for Abraham Lincoln, and feels a deep inter- 
est in its success. Ilis residence in Iowa covers a 
perioil of twenty-seven years, the greater part of 
whicli time has been spent in Des Moines and .Jef- 
ferson Counties, whore by his upright life and fair 
(iealing he has won many friends who esteem him 
hijjhiy for his sterling worth and strict integrit}'. 
Tliu firm of which he is a member, owns about five 
acres of land, and has invested about $14,000 in the 
plant. Mr. Messenger has the entire uianagoraent 
of the business. Jso enterprise has ailded more 
niateri"lly to the prosperity of the county than the 
above tile works, and much credit is due him who 
esf.ablislied and has so successfully carried on the 
business. 




IIARLES DAVID, a worthy pioneer of Jef- 
ferson County, now living a retired life, has 
been a farmer, hotel keeper and hardware 
merchant. Ilis residence in the county dates from 
.lanuar}-, 1840, and during the half century which 
has since elapsed he has ever proved a loj'al and 
wortiiy citizen. Mr. David is a native of I'tnnsyl- 
vania, his birth having occurred in Center County, 
that State, on the 8tb of March, 1818. His father. 
Carpenter David, was born in \'ermont, of Scotch 
descent. Having arrived at years of maturity, he 
wedded Miss Mary Miller, who was born in Piiila- 
delphia, of Irish parentage. When Charles was an 



infai.t. they removed to \Vayne County, Ohio, 
where his boyhoo<l days were passed. He spent his 
time in the usual manner of farmer lads, and in the 
district schools of the neighborhood acquired a 
good Knglish education. In 1837, we find Mr. 
David a resident of Lawrence County, now Rich- 
land County. III., where he continued to make his 
home until January, 1810. As before stated, that 
year witnessed his arrival in Iowa, and Fairfield 
was so fortunate as to secure him for a citizen. He 
was accompanied b^' John W. Culbertson, now de- 
ceased, also an honored pioneer, who ha<l lived 
neigiibor to Mr. David in Ohio. The latter worked 
at the caipenter's trade for a year, and then pur- 
chased a claim situated about a half mile from the 
city limits. 

On the 7Lh of JIarch, 1841, Mr. David led to the 
marriage altar Miss Sarah A. Hurt, a daughter of 
William Hurt, and a native of Adair County, Ky., 
where her jieople were early settlers, having emi- 
grated from N'irginia to that .State. Afterward 
they came to Lee County. Iowa, and in 1838, set- 
tled in Glasgow, Jefferson County. Fnto Mr. and 
Mrs. David were born the following children, five 
of whom are yet living: Edward A., the eldest, died 
at the age of fourteen years; William died in the 
twentieth year of his age; Cora D. is now the wife 
of R. E. Gaines, a resident of Colorado; Elizabeth 
is the wife of AV. F. Burns, who is living in New 
Mexico; Alice wedded Thomas H. Hurst, a resident 
of Hastings, Neb.; Lucy makes her home in Colo- 
rado; and Charles B. is in Hastings, Neb. 

In 184.0, Mr. David abandoned his agricultural 
pursuits which he had followed through the pre- 
ceding four years, and turned his attention to hotel 
keeping. He also engaged in the livery business, 
and carried on the two lines of industry for seven 
years, when in 18.52, he again bought land. This 
time he continued his farming operations for eleven 
years, at the expiration of which time he returned 
to Fairfield, and spent the succeeding four years in 
shipping stock. In this, as in his other enterprises, 
he was quite successful, meeting with the reward 
which results from industry, and the exercise of 
correct business principles. Again changing his 
vocation, he devoted his time and attention to the 
hardware business through the succeeding six years. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



269 



after which he again sliipped stock and workeii in 
various other lines. His business prospered, and 
he accumulated considerable property, but through 
others he has since lost heavily. Ilis reverses, how- 
ever, were due in no degree to mismanagement or 
carelessness on his i)art. In fact his career has been 
characterized b}' energy, good raanageraent, and tlu; 
exercise of correct business principles. 

In political sentiment, Mr. David is a Democrat, 
and in ISUT was honored with the office of Mayor 
of Fairfield. He was also candidate for County 
Sheriff. Socially, he is a member of the Indepen- 
dent Order of Odd Fellows, and the Masonic frater- 
nity. He gives liberally to the support of churches, 
is a warm friend to education, and his aid is never 
solicited in vain for the advancement of any worthy 
enterprise. He is a public-S[)irited man whom all 
esteem. 



"SjAMES GILMER, deceased, was one of the 
earliest pioneers of Jefferson County, Iowa, 
^^ having located in what is now Round Prai- 
(^J/y rie Township, in the spring of 1837, and 
prior to the organization of the county. A native 
of Kentuck}-, he way born in Woodford Count}-, 
November 1, 1784, and w.as the son of James and 
Jane (Hill) Gilmer. His parents were natives of 
\'irginia, and of Irish descent. In 1783, only 
eigiil years subsequent to the first settlement of 
Daniel Boone, at Booneville, Mr. Gilmer's parents 
emigrated from Virginia to Kentucky, and settled 
in what is now Woodford County, but at that time 
the region was an unliroken wilderness inhabited 
onl}' bj' wild beasts and wilder Indians. They lived 
in a block house, and were in constant danger from 
the hostile red men. It w.as in the autumn of the 
following )-ear that James Gilmer was born. Dur- 
ing his youth the family removed to Atlair County, 
and he was reared in that coniniunity. and when 
the War of 1812 broke out, enlisted as a loyal 
American soldier. About the 1st of January. 1814, 
he was married lo Mrs. HIizabeth Allen, widdw of 
William .Vllon, whose maiden name was Klizabitli 



Tilford. She was born in Virginia, December 24, 
1784, and by her former marriage was the mother 
of two children, a daughter and sf>n. The daugh- 
ter, Sarah Ann, who was born September;2.5, 1810, 
married Samuel S. Walker, 'came to Jjwliat is now 
Jefferson County, Iowa, in Ihejfall of 1836, and is 
now deceased. The son, William H. Allen, was 
born March 4, 1812. and died in Kcntuckv 'when 
quite young. 

Mr. and Mrs. Gilmer were parents of seven chil- 
dren, as follows: Cenjamin Franklin, born October 
16, 1814, came West to J.Morgan County, III., in 
1833, but returned to Kentucky in the fall of 183.5. 
In the spring of 1836, he returned to Illinois, lo- 
cating in Mcl)ono\igli County, where] he was en- 
gaged in selling goods. In 1837, he brought a 
small stock of general merchandise to Jefferson 
County, Iowa. During the following winter, he 
disposed of the goods, and in the spring engaged in 
farming, in company with his father and brother, 
Robert T., and continued in that oicupation until 
the time of his death, which occurred October 24, 
1843. Jane Hill Gilmer, was born December 4, 
1815, and became the wife of S. S. Ross, a pioneer r)f 
Jefferson County, whoxlied in 1857. His widow is 
nov/ a resident of Fairfield. Robert Tilford, the 
next younger, w.as born January 21, 1817, married 
Annie C. Scott, and is now residing in P'aiifield; 
Jlary Ann, born December 18, 1818, is the wife of 
Janu's L. Scott, a resident of Des Moines; Thomas, 
who was liorn November 30, 1820, died at the age 
of eight years; James Alexander and Ermine Esta, 
both died in childhood. 

Accompanied by his family, Mr. Gilmer started 
for Iowa in the fall of 1836, traveling in the primi- 
tive manner of that d.a}- with horses and oxen. Da}' 
after d.ay they i)ursued their jf)urney, camping out 
at night until they reached McDonougli County, 
111., where they spent the winter, and in April, 1837, 
crossed the Mississippi River into Iowa. They set- 
tled in what is now Round Prairie Township, Jef- 
ferson County, where some of their relatives had 
located the autumn before. The entire settlement 
consisted of not more than a dozen families, and in 
true pioneer style they began life on the Western 
prairies. Mr. Gilmer made a claim, purchasi'd oth- 
ers, and at the land sales in Binlinu:ton, in Novcm- 



270 



roUTRAIT AND HJOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



1)01-, 18:58, entered suvcn liiindnMl and twenty acres 
whieh lie snliseqiienliy iiRieiised l)y iMiix-liase. He 
wasenteriiiisin^ and industrious. InlxH-ed dilijjently 
to improve Ids land, and was known as a prositcr- 
Otis and suecessfid farmer. 

In i)olitic». Mr. Gilmer was a Whig in early life, 
anil greatly antagonistic to the institution of slav- 
ery, SO that wlien the Reijuhiican party was formed 
to prevent its further e.\lension, he immediately 
joined its ranks. He was one of the early Asses- 
sor.s of his township, and also served as Justice of 
the Peace. A resolute, earnest man, be was indus- 
trious and frugal in his habits, and strictly upright 
and houorahle in all things, llisdeatii occurred in 
Hound Prairie 'I'own.'iliip, in 1 8i;2. His >yire, who 
was a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church 
died in 1865. 



'^OHN WILLIAM.S. one of the honored pio- 
neers of Jefferson County, is living on sec- 
lion 8, Penn Township. He was born in 
Champaign County, Ohio, October 24, 1812, 
but was reared in Logan County. His father, 
Henry Williams, waj a native of Grayson County, 
Ya., where his boyhood days were |)assed. He re- 
moved to Ohio, in 1811, married Nancy Paxson, 
and for many years was a residect of Logan Countj'. 
]iy occupation he was a farmer, and followed that 
business throughout his entire life, becoming quite 
■wealth}-. He lost his'wife in 18-18, but his own 
death occurred not nntil 1870, at an advanced age. 
They were the parents of a family of nine children: 
John, of this sketch; Silnah and Almeda, deceased; 
William and Ohadiah, who are residents of Hardin 
County, Ohio; Lemuel, who makes his homo in the 
same county; Henry, a resident of Logan County; 
Lydia, deceased wife of Alexander Ireland, and 
Newton, of Oaio. 

The eldest child of the family is the one in whom 
the citizens of Jefferson County are especiall}' in- 
terested. He spent his early life upon his father's 
farm, and ol)taiued his education in the subscrip- 



tion schools common at that day. On reaching 
man's estate, he left the parental roof, and on the 
8th of December, 1836, was joined in wedlock with 
Miss Harriet .Smitli, a native of Kentucky. The 
young couple began their doraeslie life upon a 
rented farm, and in Ohio, Mr. Williams continued 
farming operations until 1840, which year wit- 
nessed his arrival in the Territory of Iowa. He 
chose Jefferson County as the scene of his future la- 
bors, and here entered a claim, but in 1842 he left 
it for his present home, which at that time was an 
uninnproved quarter section. Not a furrow had 
been turned, a fence built, or a building erected 
thereon. It was still in its primitive condition, but 
Mr. W'illiaras at once put up a log cabin, and with 
characteristic energy began the development of the 
hitherto wild land. The result of his efforts is a 
good farm which now pays a golden tribute for the 
care and cultivation bestowed upon it. Mr. Will- 
iams is now living a retired life, enjoying in his 
old age the result of long 3'ears of usefulness and 
labor. 

Although the trials and. hardships incident to pio- 
neer life fell to the lot of our subject, and although 
the task of developing a farm from wild land was 
no easy one, Mr. Williams overcame^ these disad- 
vantages. His first great trial came to him in 1845, 
wlien he was called upon to mourn the loss of his 
wife. They had but just begun to realize some 
profit from their labors, and the future was indeed 
bright, when the angel of death threw his dark 
shadow over the household. Four children were 
left to share with the father his bereavement: Jesse, 
who was born in December, 1837, and is now en- 
g.aged in farming in Dakota County, Neb.; Milton, 
w<is born in September, 1839, and resides near 
Jesse; Newton, a resident farmer of Penn Town- 
ship; and Jonathan, who is located in Dixon 
County, Neb. In 1847, Mr. Williams married Miss 
Martha A. Mills, but after nineteen years of wed- 
ded life, she too passed away leaving a family of 
four daughters: Mary J., wife of Samuel Roberts, 
of Nebraska; Elma, wife of James M. Jones, of 
Dixon Countj', Neb. ; Nanc}', wife of John W'ycoff, 
who is managing the farm for her father; ami 
Laura, wife of Perry Cole of Pleasant Plain. 

His views being in harmony with tiie principles 




C. E. NOBLE. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGUAl'illCAL ALBUM. 



273 



of the Whig party, Mr. Williams cast his first vote 
for Henry Clay. Strongly opposed to tlie institu- 
tion of slavery, he later became an Abolitionist, 
was afterward a Free-Soiler, and when the Repub- 
lican party was formed to prevent the further ex- 
tension of slaver3-, he joined its ranks, and has since 
continued to fight, a valiant soldier, under its ban- 
ner. He has often represented his township in the 
county conventions of his party, and hits faithfuii^^ 
served in the olliccs of Township Trustee and Jus- 
tice of the Peace. His residence in Jefferson 
County covers half a century, and therefore he has 
been a witness of almost its entire growth. Any- 
thing pertaining to its advancement he is deepl}- in- 
terested in. It has been the scene of his business 
successes, and the stage upon which he has played 
the part of an honorable, upright man, winning the 
confidence and respect of all. In his declining 
3'ears he can look back over the past and feel no 
great regret for unimproved opportunities or time 
unworthily spent, but has the consciousness of 
knowing that his character has been unmarred by 
anything which would detract from a clean and 
worth}' record. 



"^^r* S 



!L^ OX. CHRISTIAN E. NOBLE, attorney an.l 
r jj, Justice of the Peace, has been a resident of 
Fairfield since October 15, 1846. He was 
((§)) born in Blair County, Pa. on a' farm, which 
was owned liy his paternal grandfather)i)rior to the 
War of the Revolution, and which was also tliu 
birthplace of his father. That farm is the present 
site of the city of Altoona. The birth of Mr. No- 
ble occurred on the •20th of Januarj', 1825, his par- 
ents being John and Elizabeth (Crane) Noble. 

Our subject received a common-school educa- 
tion, and learned the cabinet-maker's trade, which 
he followed after his emigration to Fairfield in 
18-16. He was married in this city on the Gth of 
December, 1H49. to Miss Zilpliia K. Kees, a daugh- 
ter of Joel S. Hces. The ladv was born near New- 



ark, Ohio, and came to Iowa in the spring of 1847. 
Eight children blessed their union, three died in 
infancy and live grew to mature years, three sons 
and two daughters, as follows: Leroy C, the eld- 
est, who was married three times, his present wife 
having been Miss Frances J. Moore, is a druggist 
of Springfield, Mo. ; Laura May is the wife of John 
Snieaton, and resides in Arkansas: Artemus Oliver 
is living in Philadeli)hii'; U. S. Grant is single, and 
makes his home near Walla Walla, Wash.; and Lil- 
lie Gr.ace is the wife of Albert Oswald, of What 
Cheer, Iowa. The wife and mother died March 9, 
1886. On the 6tb of July, 1890, Mr. Noble was 
united in marriage with Miss Lena Paine, a native 
of Massachusetts. 

Mr. Noble was a Whig in early life, and later be- 
came a supporter of the Republican [lart}-. He was 
elected to the oltice of Justice of the I'eace in the 
fall of 185(;, and being re-elected, served until 
1862. In 185C. he was also elected a member of the 
Lower House of the Iowa Legislature, and proved 
an able representative of the people. For several 
years he carried on the undertaking business in 
^'airfield, and also engaged in the manufacture of 
sash for a lime, Init desiring to give his attention 
to professional work, he studied law, and was ad- 
milted to the bar in the district court of Oskaloosa, 
on the 4th of iSIarch, 1881. entering upon the prac- 
tice of his profession in Fairfield. In the fall of 
1886, Mr. Noble was once more elected Justice of 
-the Peace, and again re-elected in the fall of 1888, 
a fact which establishes beyond a doubt his trust- 
worthiness and ability. He is an Odd Fellow of 
forty-three years standing, and holds membership 
in JetTcrson Lodge, No. 4, I. O. O. I''., being the 
second oldest surviving member of that organiza- 
tion, with which he became connected in the spring 
of 1847. In his religious views ISIr. Noble inclines 
toward the faith of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
which numbers among its members several of his 
lirothers, his brother G. W. being an ordained min 
ister of that <lenominatioii. Mr. Noble heli)e<l to 
organize the Old .Settlers' Association, drew the 
first draft for a constiluticn for that body, and was 
elected a Vice-President of the societ}'. He also 
helped to form the first library association in F.-iir- 
lield, and was its first Secretarv. He h.is been an 



274 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



active and useful ir ember of the community in 
which he lias ipsided, and is esteemed as u gentle- 
man of sterling worth. In the olfice of a justice he 
is Itnown at his best — prompt, experienced, fair in 
his rulings, and correct in his business methods. 



■*■ 



® 



OIIN NOBLE, a pioneer of .Ieffer.son County 
of 18-lo, was born in Blair County. Pa., on 
the 17lh of Februarj-, 1796, on a farm, which 
had come into the possession of the family 
prior to the Revolutionary War. He was married 
in his native State in about the year 1818, to Miss 
Klizabeth Crane, a native of Pleasant Valley, lilair 
Count}-, Pa., born in 1797. Mr. Noble was a 
farmer, and was engaged in that vocation in Penn- 
sylvania until 1815, when he emigrated with his 
family to the Territory of Iowa, and settled in 
Fairfield, continuing his residence in Jefiferson 
County, until his death. By his union with JMiss 
Crane, a large faniil}- of children was born, consist- 
ing of nine sons and one daughter, and all the sons 
arc living except one who was accidentally killed, 
the eldest being seventy years of age, the youngest 
fifty. Samuel, the eldest, was twice married. He 
lost his first wife in Pennsylvania, after which he 
came to Iowa in 184G, married a Miss She|)ler, and 
now resides in Albia; Abraham C, aged sixty-nine 
years, has been twice m:irric(l. and is living in P^air- 
field Township; Martha B. Madden was the name 
of his second wife; John S., who is sixty-six years 
of age, and resides in .Vrkansag, married for his 
first wife Eliza J. Beck, and after her death wedded 
Mary Nordick; Christian E., who is sixty-five j'ears 
of age, is represented elsewhere in this volume; 
William W. married Emma lledrick, and was acci- 
denlly killed in a mine in 18G0, at the ao-e of thir- 
ty-four years; Benjamin K.. a twin brother of Will- 
iam, married Miss Dunn, and lives in Montgomery 
County. Iowa, at the age of 8ixt3'-four; Geor"-e W. 
aged sixty-two, resides in Arkansas; David A. 
aged sixty, married Miss Arnold, and makes his 
home in Albia, Iowa; Margaret J., aged fifty-seven 



widow of Jacob Ash, is living in Dallas. 111.; Ed- 
ward M., aged fifty, is married and lives in Albia. 
The tallest of the nine brothers was six feet, and 
the shortest five feet and ten inches; the heaviest 
weighed two hundred and thirty pounds, and the 
lightest one hundred and sixty. Originally, tlie\- 
were all Whigs, and later all Republicans. Six 
brothers and a sister came to Jefferson County, in 
1845 with their parents; C. E. and John S. arrived 
the following year, and Abraham C. came in 1803. 
Sir. Noble was a Wliig in early life, and like his 
sons, advocated Republican principles on the or- 
ganization of the party. He was an industrious and 
worthy nian. and his death, which occurred on the 
17lh of Februarj', 1871. at the age of seventy-five 
years, was deepl}- regretted by many friends. His 
good wife survived him only a few months, dying 
August .30, 1871. Both were members of the Luth- 
eran Church. 



oo o . 




)ILL1AM H. McCRACIvEN is now engaged 
in farming and stock-raising on section 11, 
Black Hawk Township. Few men in Jef- 
ferson County are more widely known and none 
are held in greater esteem among their friends than 
the subject of this sketch. He has won for him- 
self an honored place and has made a record of which 
he may well be proud. 

Mr. McCracken was born and reared in Iowa, his 
birth having occurred in a little log cabin near 
Pleasant Plain, on the 26th of July, 1846. The 
family is of Scottish origin. The great-great-grand- 
father of our subject was born in mid-ocean while 
his parents were en route for America. The grand- 
father of William was a native of North Carolina 
and emigrated from that State to Morgan County, 
Ind., where he followed farming for many j-ears, 
but in 1843 he resumed his westward journey and 
became a resident of the Territory of Iowa, locat- 
ing in Washington County, west of Brighton, where 
he spent the remainder of liis daj-s, his death oc- 
currinjj in January, 1880. His wife long preceded 
him to her final rest, having passed away in 1858. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



276 



Tlirongliouttlic entire community in which he made 
his home Mr. McCraclien was known and respected. 
He was a man of considerable influence in Wash- 
ington Count}", and served for several terms on the 
Count}' Board of Supervisors and also in township 
offices. In his youth he accepted the faith of the 
Society of Friends nmi his life was in harmony 
wilii his religious professions. He cast his ballot 
with the Whig party during the earlier j-ears of his 
manhood, but later became a stalwart advocate of 
Republican principles. 

Hiram MeCracken, a son of the foregoing gen- 
tleman and the father of our subject was born in 
Indiana, March 3, l.S'22. He was reared to farm 
life and received but limited educational advan- 
tages but in later years greatly overcame that detri- 
ment by reading and observation. On January 25, 
1844, he was united in marriage with Miss Dinah 
Iladley of Nortii Carolina, who was taken b}' her 
parents to Indiana when a child of four years. 
Previous to his marriage, Mr. McCracken had 
visited Iowa and located land one mile east of 
Pleasant Plain and shortly after his union was cele- 
brated he brougiit his young bride to the new home 
and erected a log cabin in whieii tiiey began their 
domestic life. Devoting his entire time and atten- 
tion to the cultivation of his farm, his efforts were 
attended by pros|)erily and a comfortable home 
resulted. In April, 1865, he left his first purchase 
anil removed to Black Hawk Township, buyiiig one 
hundred acres on section 12, where lie resided until 
his death October 15, 1889. His wife still survives 
him and is making her home in Pleasant Plain. Ten 
children were born unto that worth}- couple, eight 
of whom are yet living. William of this sketch is 
the eldest of the family; Enos H. is now a resident 
of Sheridan County. Kan.; John S. is living in 
Dixon County, >'eb.; Sarah F. is the wife of Dr. 
C. F. Wahrer.a pr.icticing physician of Mt. Hamill. 
Lee County, Iowa; Olive wedded J. T. Kirkpatrick, 
of Nebraska; Hannah, who is a successful teacher 
of the county, makes her home with her mother in 
Pleasant Plain; Hiram is also at home, and Anna is 
the wife of H. K. Kirkpatrick, of Dawson County, 
Neb. 

Hiram McCracken. the father of this family, was a 
man of sterling worth, who by his fellow-citizens 



and all who knew him was held in the highest re- 
gard. As a pioneer settler of Jefferson County, 
he deserves no little credit for the active part 
which he took in the upbuilding and the promotion 
of her interests. The cause of education found in 
him a special friend and while President of the 
School Hoard of Penn Township, he was instru- 
mental in improving the condition of the schools 
to a great extent. He served in the office of Trus- 
tee of lilack Hawk Township, and was Librarian of 
the Friends Church Library, of Pleasant Plain, for 
many }-ears. He devoted himself wholly to any 
work which he undertook and in consequence ac- 
complished his purpose. He possessed good business 
ability, was fair and honest in all his dealings and 
true to every trust imposed in him. In his po- 
litical affiliations he was a stalwart Republican and 
was several times a delegate to the county con- 
vention of his party but never sought public pre- 
ferment for himself. Conservative and reticent 
in expressing his views, he was yet, a man of strong 
convictions and nothing could swerve him from 
the path of duty. For forty years he was a mem- 
ber of the Society of Friends, and with the con- 
sistency of that sect he lived a pure, honorable and 
noble life, and of him it may be said that the world 
is better for his having lived. 

William McCracken, whose name licads this 
sketch, is an Iowa man. born and bred. Heattended 
the ]5ublic schools of Jefferson County in his youth 
and later graduated from Whittier College, of Sa- 
lem, Henry County, completing the scientific course 
in that inslilution. In the intervals of study or 
during his vacations, he aided his father in the la- 
bors of the farm but at the age of eighteen years 
he began life for himself as a teacher in the ])ublic 
schools of the county and engaged in educational 
work from December, 1864, until March, 1880, 
with marked success. It is said that there is a work 
suited to each one and if they engage in that work 
they cannot but be successful, and it would seem 
that Mr. McCracken had found the labor suited to 
him when he engaged in teaching, yet he has been 
equally successful as a farmer and stock-dealer. In 
1872 and 1873 he served as Siqjerintendent of the 
schools of Jefferson County, proving an elllcieut 
and capable ollicer and for four years he has also 



276 



PORTRAIT AND lilOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



been President of the School Board in his (own- 
8lii|). WImt he lias done for the educational inter- 
ests of tliis community cannot be told in a sentence 
but the history of his work is written upon the 
lives of those who were students under him. 

On Au<;ust 12. 1880, Mr. McC'raclvcn was joined 
in wedlock with Miss Rebecca J. .lones, one of his 
former pupils and a lady of culture and refinement. 
She is a native of Keokuk County, a daughter of 
Thomas and Mary Jones and a niece of I. H. Crum- 
ley. The following day after his marriage, Mr. 
McCracken took liis young bride to their present 
home on section 11, Black Hawk Township, where 
they have now resided for ten years. Their union 
ii.is been blessed with a family of six sons: Martin 
h., born October 2, 1881 ; Stacey, October 25, 1882; 
Pliny, April 20, 1884; Dymond, August 13, 1885; 
Charles .S., May 9. 1887; Linnaeus, February 3, 
188H. 

.Mr. McCracken now devotes his attention to 
general farming and stock-raising and is doing :ni 
extensive business in the latter line. lie feeds 
nearly all the grain he raises to his stock and keeps 
on hand fine grailes of horses, cattle and hogs. In- 
dolence and irlleness are utterly' foreign to his na- 
ture, and possessing untiring industry and zeal he 
is sure to accomplish whatever he undertakes, un- 
less hindered by some cause bej-ond his power to 
avert. His fellow-citizens recognizing his worth 
ami ability have honored him with several local 
odiccs including that of .lustice of the Peace and 
other township offices, in addition to those already 
mentioiieil. \h'. is an influential incumber in the 
councils of the Repulilican part}-, is generally a del- 
egate to the county conventions and has also been 
in the State conventions of his party, yet aliliough 
he feels a deep interest in the success of Republi- 
cjiiiistn, he liimself has never sought for political 
prefcim 'ut, having little desire to hold office, yet 
when called upon to represent iiis fellow-citizens in 
local jiositions lie resi)cinds cheerfully and dis 
charges his duties with prom])tness and fidelity. 
Firm convictions backed by a talented mind and 
strong will, lit him for leadership, and the i)romi- 
nent position which he occupies in the conimunity 
is justly deserved. Every enterprise calculated to 
advance the general welfare receives his hearty sup- 



port and co-operation. Both Mr. McCracken and 
his wife are members of the Society of Friends and 
are faithful workers for its interests. He is the 
presiding officer of the quarterly- meeting and ha? 
served in other minor positions in the church. 



rja^MjIHfflE 



^^ HARLES M. McELROY, Postmaster of Fair- 
l\ '■field, Jefferson County, and proprietor and 
^^f'' publisher of the Fairfield Tfibune,wsiS born in 
Oswego,N. Y.. Februury 1, 1852, and on the paternal 
side is of Scotch-Irish descent. His father, William 
McElroy, was a native of Ohio, but his mother, 
whose maiden name was Helen JI. Parsons, was also 
born in Oswego. In early childhood our subject 
accompanied his parents to the city of New York 
and thence to Kilbourn City, ^Vis. In 1858, the 
family came to Iowa, settling in the eastern part of 
Muscatine County. The father was a teacher and 
the subject of our sketch was educated under his 
tutelage. In 1861, another removal was made, the 
family locating on a farm near Fairport, where the 
husband and father died on the 1st of February, 
18G8, leaving a widow and four children. 

Charles M. was the only son, and at the time of 
his father's death was but sixteen j'cars of age. He 
at once went to Muscatine and entered the old 
Courier newspaper office, where he learned the 
printer's trade, continuing work in that line and at 
that place until 1870, when he went to Des Moines, 
to take a position in the Leader office. He made 
up tlie first forms for the Daihj Leader and was in 
that office several years, after which he was eng.aged 
on the loiua Stale Register. At the expiration of 
that time he joined J. E. Cleary in the publication 
of the Indianola Tribune, that connection continu- 
ing for a little less than a year from the spring of 
1877, when Mr. McElroy sold out and returned to 
Des Moines. Once more he was employed in the 
Register office and int he winter of 1 877-78 reported 
the Iowa Senate for the Leader. The following 
year he was one of two local editors for that paper. 

In March, 1879, Mr. McElroy came to Fairfield 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



277 



Hiifl became ])roprietor, editor and publisher of the 
Fairfield Tribiine^whicU hi' has since coiiduoled vvilli 
satisfaction to his patrons and some profit to him- 
self. His mannj^ement of the Trihune has been on 
llie lines of louitinialc publishing business princi- 
ples and his editorial course has been conservative 
and fair, winning for him the respect and esteem of 
the better class of his fellow citizens regardless of 
party affiliations. The Tribune is a six column 
quarto, Dcniocralic in politics and is a bright news- 
paper, devoted to the best interests of Fairfield and 
Jefferson County. The oflice was established in 
1S47, but has since changed hands several times 
and the paper has also changed name; slill the Tri- 
bune is the legitimate successor of the first paper 
published in .Jefferson County. On the 10th of Jan- 
uary, 1887, Mr. McKIro}' was commissioned Post- 
master of Fairfield, wiiich position he still holds, 
being in his fourlli year in that service. He has de- 
voted his time exclusively since his appointment lo 
Ihc duties of the office and has left the editorial 
and business management of the Tribitnc to F. B. 
T.ayl()r. 

On the 2nd of September. 1885, in Plattsmouth, 
Neb.. Mr. McElroy was united in marriage with 
Miss Alice R. Pollock, a daughter of Thom.as Pol- 
lock. She is a native of Pennsylvania and by tiieir 
union three children have been born — two sons and 
a daughter, namely: Hugh Murray, who was born 
June 2, 1886; Thomas Pollock, born October 8, 
1887, and Helen Louise, born January 27, 1889. 



•^^#i#^' 



\'f|AMF]S OATLIN. a highly respected citizen 
of Pleasant Plain, Jeffer.^on Count}', claims 
Tennessee as the State of his nativit}-, hav- 
// ing been born in Lincoln Countj-, in 1817. 
His father, Dempsey (iatlin, was a native of North 
Carolina, and resided in .'^outh Carolina, Georgia, 
and subsequently in Tennessee. He served in the 
War of )8r2, under (Jon. .Jackson, and partici- 
pated in the battles of Pensacola and New Orleans, 



where a most signal victory was gained. On the 
return of p(a,'e he tocjk \ip his residence in Ala- 
bama, where he remained for five years, when, in 
1822, he became a resident of Sangamon County, 
III. Nine years later he took up his residence in 
Tazewell County, of the same State, liut after thir- 
teen years, in 1844, we find him locate<l in Wash- 
ington County, Iowa. Purchasing land fiom the 
Government, he there engaged in farming until his 
deatli, which occurred on the 26th of May, 1854. 
He had learned the trade of saddle-makingand coop- 
ering, but engaged in agricultural pursuits during 
the greater part of his life. His marriage took (ilace 
in Tennessee some time prior to the War of 1812, 
the lady of his choice being Miss Sarah Martin, 
whose parents were natives of North Carolina. 
Her death occurred in 1845, and the following 
j'ear Mr. Gatlin weilcled Sarah Hiatt, who w.as 
called to her final rest ere her husband passed 
away. B}- the first union were born thirteen 
children, eight of whom grew to maturity, namely-: 
Sina, now deceased; Hardy, who is living in Carth- 
age, Mo.; Nathan B., who died in Illinois; James, 
of this sketch; (ieorgc W.. deceased; Isaac, who 
enlisted in an Illinois regiment and died during 
the service near Nashville, Tenn. ; Dempse^' antl 
Sarah deceased". The other members of the family' 
died in iiifanc}'. The father of the above men- 
tioned children was a man of man}- excellencies of 
character, whose consistent Christian life won him 
the high regard of all with whom he came in con- 
tact. In his earlier years he was a member of the 
Baptist Church, but later united with the Christian 
Church. He was an ardent admirer of his old Gen- 
eral. Andrew Jackson, and sup|iorted the Demo- 
cratic party until 184(1, vvhen he cast his ballot for 
William Henry Harrison. 

The first six years of his life our subject spent in 
his native State, and then became a resident of Ill- 
inois, where he was reared to manhood upon a 
farm. That Slate was then but sparsel}' settled, 
and in consequence the educational advantages 
which it provided were very meagre. Mr. Gatlin 
probably never attended school for more than 
twelve months, but experience and observation 
have proved useful teachers to him. Like a duti- 
I ful son, he assisted his father in the cultivation of 



278 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



tbo home fnrni until twenty-four years of age. 
when he left the p.nrental roof and began life for 
himself, his first work being in a woolen mill, 
where he remained two years. He was married is 
in 1842. after whic-h he bought land and turned 
his attention to farming, continuing operations in 
Illinois until I80O. when he sought a home in the 
new .Slate of lowii. Purcliasing Jiis father's farm 
in Washington County, he ni.ide his home tiiereon 
until 1879, when he laid aside the duties of farm 
life and removed to Pleasant Plain, which has 
since been his home. For six years he conducted 
a hotel in the village, bnt is now living a retired 
life, having in former years by industry, good 
management and perseverance acquired a compe- 
tence, wliith now enables him to la^' aside all busi- 
ness cares. 

P'ollowing the footsteps of his father, Mr. flatiin 
cast his first vote for William Henry Harrison, 
and aflilialed with the Whig i>arty until the form.-i- 
tion of the new Republican part}-, he supporting 
its first candidate, John C. Fremont. Having 
made his home for some years in Sangamon 
Count}'. 111., he became personall}' acquainted with 

• both Lincoln and Douglas, and has often heard 
them spcaii on the political issues of that day. Only 
once since 185G h.is he wavered in his allegiance 
to the Republican party, he having voted for Peter 
Cooper. He also entertains the strongest Prohibi- 
tion sentiments and labored earnestly for the in- 
terests of the amcndnu'iit. He is a member of the 
('■range, and religiously, is a member of the Chris- 
liiui Church, to which his wife also belongs, he 
being an Elder in the same. As a citizen, he is 
true to every duty devolving upon him, and in 
both the social and business world ranks high. 

As before stated. Mr. (jatliu was married on the 
11th of October, 1812, his union being with Miss 
Virginia Smith, and unto them were born two chil- 
dren — Eliza .lane, born September G, 1843, is now 
the wife of .lohu Blickcnsderfer, who resides on a 
ranch in Wyoming; Francis Marion, born Decem- 
ber 27, 1811. wedded Miss Mary ,T. McCauley, of 
Washington County, Iowa, and is living in Smith 
County, Kan. The death of the mother occurred 
in the year 18IC. an<l the 21st of September, 1817, 
witnessed the marriage of Mr. Gallin and Miss 



Nancy Vawter, daughter of Elliott and Anna Vaw- 
ter, the former a native of Virginia and the latter 
of Kentucky, where their wedding took place. They 
became residents of Todd County. Ky.. where 
they spent their last days. Mrs. Gatlin was born 
in that State, August 10, 1824, and by her mar- 
riage became the mother of nine children — A'ir- 
ginia A., who was born in Tazewell County, 111., 
September 25, 1848, became tlie wife of George 
Allen and after his death wedded J. W. Jones, 
general auctioneer and farmer of Lenox, Iowa; 
Sarah S., born May 20. 1850, is the wife of George 
Carroll, a wholesale hardware dealer and promi- 
nent business man of Sioux Cit}', who also travels 
upon the road as a salesman; Kate L.. born May 
10, 1852, is the wife of Henrj- Fitzliugli, who 
is a resident of Colorado; Pet E., born Octo- 
ber 11, 1854, is the wife of D. R. Beatty, a 
stock raiser of Wyoming: Sina E., born November 
19, 1856, is the wife of Aaron Pickard, of Pleas- 
ant Plain; Jephthah D., born November 27, 1857, 
married Miss Matlie Dunn and is carrying on a 
livery stable in Brighton; Maggie M.. born Julj- 
8, 1860, is the wife of Morion Gibbins, of Rich- 
land County, Wis ; Mary C, born October 4, 
1862, is the wife of A. J. Coleman, of Ft. Collins, 
Colo., who is editor of a paper at that place; and 
Emma J., born February 3, 1865, is the wife of 
Frank B.George, of Colorado. The children were 
all provided with liberal educational advantages, 
and six daughters of the family have engaged in 
teaching school. 



OHN S. DOLE, a carpenter of Fairfield. Jef- 
ferson Count}-, was born on September 22_ 
1829, in Clermont County, Ohio, and is a 
son of Joseph and Margaret (Baum) Dole. 
His paternal grandfather was a native of New Jer- 
sey, but for many years followed farming in Cler- 
mont County. His family numbered sixteen chil- 
dren, twelve of whom, six sons and six daugiiters 
grew to mature years. Four of the sons became 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



279 



ministers in the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
Joseph Dole, whose birth occurred in Egg Harbor, 
N. Y., accompanied his parents to Ohio in his youth. 
Having attained to the years i>f manhood, lie 
wedde:! Louisa Woods and unto them were born 
five cliildren, four sons and a dauglitcr, but Joseph, 
the youngest, who is a farmer of Jefferson County, 
is the only one now living. After the deatli of his 
first wife, Mr. Dole married Miss B-uim, who was 
born in Pennsylvania. Her parents however were 
natives of Germany and she was one of nine chil- 
dren, four sons and five daiigiiters. 

The year 1848, witnessed the (^migration of 
Joseph Dole and his familj' from Ohio to the Hawk- 
eye State. One of his sons had died in the Mexi- 
can War and on account of his service the father 
was granted a land warrant which he located in Fair- 
field Township. Later, he purchased a farm in 
Liberty Township, on which both he and his wife 
spent their last days. During the War of 1812 Mr. 
Dole served as a drummer boy and accompanied 
Harrison in the battle of Tippecanoe. He was also 
a stanch friend of the Union and during the late 
war attended all the rallies and niiiss meetings, 
stirring the boys with the roll of his drum. His 
political sentiments were in support of the Whig 
party in early life and when the Republican jiarty 
sprang into existence. In; joined its ranks. He lived 
an exemplary life, honored and respected by all 
men and for some 3'ears served as a local preacher 
in the .Metiiodist Church, of which his wife was 
also a member. The death of Mrs. Dole occurred 
in 18G3and two years later he w.as also called to 
the final home. 

John S. Dole, whose name heads this sketch is 
the second in order of birth in a family of ten chil- 
dren, consisting of six sons and four daughlers.and 
the only one living in Jefl'erson County. He was 
reared to farm life and received a very meagre 
education prior to his fifteenth year. The family 
was in limited circumstances and as soon as he had 
attaineil a sufficient age he had to [jrovide for his 
own maintenance. From the lime when he was a 
lad of fourteen 3'ears he worked as a hand in the 
harvest field and at tlic age of twenty he left home 
toseek his fortune in the West. In company with 
three j'oung companions — Bryant Young, Samuel 



Dickson and Lemuel Clark, on the 8th of April, 
1850, he began his travels and on the 22nd of May. 
the parly crossed the Missouri River near the pres- 
ent site of the city of Omaha, ferrying themselves 
across in wagon beds. At that i)oint they joined 
a company in which there were one hundred and 
eighty wagons, witii from three to seven yoke of 
cattle, and each containing from three to five men. 
while in .the entiVe company there was but one 
lady, the wife of Martin Nichols of Jefferson 
County. Five days later the company was divided, 
and the division which Mr. Dole and his party 
joined consisted of twenty-five wagons. They 
ferried the Platte River at Ft. Laramie, then made 
their way over the rugged Black Hills. At South 
Pass in the Rocky Mountains it was found that 
cholera had broken out in the crowd and one man 
Addison Wheeler died of the disease. The com- 
pany there sei)aratcd, e.ich going bis own way. Mr. 
Dole's partner lay sick for three months and he 
waited for him, doing double duty all Ihe lime at 
Lee's encampment in the Blue Mountains until his 
friend died. The cattle he here traded for ponies, 
Mr. Dole receiving a third of the number with 
which he crossed the Cascade Range, reaching Ore- 
gon City, on September 22, 1850. Later he engaged 
to ciiop c>ne thousand cords of wood for $700. and 
wlien his task was completed he started for Cali- 
fornia with •>!l.lOOin his pocket,but a clever fellow 
stole his money and he w.as forced to return to 
wood chopping. Subsequently he made his way 
to the Williamette Valley, where he spent almost 
twenty-five years. He did a good business in trad- 
ing stock and also owned an excellent farm of two 
hundred acres. 

Jlr. Dolt's life has certainly been an adventur- 
ous and exciting one and he has met with man\- in- 
teresting experiences and become familiar with the 
various pliases of western life. Foreiglileen months 
he engaged in Indian warfare, during which time 
he participated in some ten or twelve skirmishes. 
That was in 1855 and 185G, and in 1858 he made 
a trip to Caraboo, British Columbia and to Alaska. 
The western coast of North America has been well 
traversed by him, and in his journeyings he has 
gained a knowledge of men and the world which 
could never have been attained by reading or 



280 



I'OUTRAIT AND BlOGHArillCAJ- ALBUM. 



sluflv. IIo mjide fnimins an<^l stock-raising liis 
principul occiipnliun while on the Pncilie const, but 
ill 18;4 disposed of liis possessions in tiic West 
and returned to .lefferson County, Iowa, wliere he 
purchased two hundred acres of prairie hand in 
FairlieklTownship. Ipon liis farm is a good dwe!l- 
in<i and a large barn framed of yellow pine, the 
only one in the county, together with many other 
substantial improvements. While in Oregon he 
had learned the carpenter's trade and was the archi- 
tect of his home and outbuildings. 

Mr. Dole is a supporter of the Republican party. 
As a bnsiness man he has been quite successful and 
his jjrosperity is due entirely to his own efforts. He 
has also been a liberal cor.tribiiter to worthy en- 
terprises, aiding in the support of any interest cal- 
culated to advance the general welfare and by all 
who Unow him is held in high regard. 



^ 



i^ 



If^ Kl'BKN D. DL' HOIS. Among the pioneer 
L^ families of Jefferson County is one well 
tL\V known and highly esteemed — that of the 
\@' Du Bois faniilj-. In a well-preserved gen- 
ologlcal record, this family traces its origin back 
to the Huguenots who fled from Fiance into Hol- 
land on account of religious persecution. The 
progenitor of the family, Gcoffroi Du Bois, was a 
knight banneret under William the Conqueror, 
whom he accompanied to the conquest of England. 
The first to cross the briny deep were two pious, 
noble men, Jacques and Louis Du Bois, who were 
born near La Basse, in the Province of Artois, 
France. Thence they emigrateil to Holland, and 
the former married in Leyden and the latter in 
Manheim. About the middle of the seventeenth 
century the}' braved the dangers of an ocean voy- 
age and settled in the New York Colony. Jacques 
died about a year after their arrival, leaving three 
sons, while Louis wtis a resident of this country 
thirty -six years and left at death seven sons. 

Reuben D. Du Bois, whose name heads this 
sketch, is a lineal descendant of the above Jacques. 



His father, John W. Du Bois, was born in New 
York City, October 9, 1817, and at an early age 
was forced to begin life for himself. When he was 
a lad of eleven years the lieath of his father oc- 
curred, and he was bound out to a preacher of the 
.Societj- of Friends, with whom he remained until 
fourteen years of age, when he was apprenticed to 
a cabinet-maker in Poughkeepsie, N. Y., with 
whom he worked until having attained his ma- 
jority. The }-ear 1838 witnessed his removal to 
the West. A sliort time he spent in Chicago, and 
was offered eighty acres now included in the heart 
of the city for *400, but he told the would-be sel- 
ler that he had not come West to raise frogs. Late 
in the same year he went to McDonoiigh County, 
111., and being the only cabinet-maker in that sec- 
tion was called upon to make the furniture and 
burial cask<<ts for the early settlers. In that county, 
on the 2nd of Februar}', 1840, he married Elizabeth 
Dill, who vv.as boru iu White County, Tenn., Jul}- 
12, 1818. Her parents, Stephen and Catherine 
(Harris) Dill, were natives of North Carolina and 
Tennessee respectively. In e,arly life her father 
went to Tennessee, married Miss Hairis, and re- 
moved to McDonough County, III., in 1830. The 
Indians, then numerous in the neighborhood, fie- 
(juently committed depredations which proved to 
be very annoying, and on reaching his destination, 
Mr. Dill, leaving his family tenting in a wagon, 
joined a company of men ready to start ft)rth 
against the savages. On his return he found his 
wife and family living in an improvised shantv of 
her own construction. In 1842 they came to this 
countj', but subsequently returned to McDonough 
County, where they lived to be octogenarians. 
They were the parents of six children, four sons 
and two daughters. 

In 1843 John W. Du Bois removed with his fam- 
ily to Jefferson County, Iowa, reaching Fflirfield 
on the 15th da}' of January. Having purchased a 
claim, one-half mile west of the city, he lived 
thereon two years, and then obtained possession of 
a claim adjoining Fairfield, now known as the 
Du Bois farm, on which he lived until his death. 
He entered two hundred and forty acres of land, 
and it was his desire to secure another forlj'-acre 
tract, .as he believed a vein of coal was underlying 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



281 



the surface, but as he had "broken" one eighty 
acres he could luit lawl'ully enter the other, but 
his wife had tlie privilege and did secure it. On 
that tract was opened tlie first coal mine in Jeffer- 
son County, and such was the excellence of its 
quality that blacksmiths from afar, even from 
Burlington, sent to him for their supplies. Mr. 
Uu Bois was a successful business in;ui ami one of 
the most extensive stock-dealers in the county, 
liis entire life was marked by the strictest honesty 
and fairness in dealing. So hifrhly was he re- 
garded tlint when he made a contract for pur- 
chasing stock his jITer was at once accepted by the 
farmers, who felt fully satisfied that it was as near 
the market price as one coidd afford to give. 

Politically-. Mr. Du Bois was a life-long Demo- 
crat. He served ai the first Assessfu- of Jefferson 
County, and at that ^ime coidd call every man in 
the county by name. He was nominated by his 
party for the position of Representative, but owing 
to the fact that his party was in the minority lie 
failed at the election. In earlier life he was a 
member of the Presbyterian Church, but after his 
marriage united with the Christian Church, to 
which his wife had belonged from girlhood. Thej' 
were both earnest workers and liberal contributors 
to the cause, and made their religion a part of 
their daily life. 

On the 7th of July. 1881. the wife was called to 
her final rest, and on the 12th of March, 1882, Mr. 
Du Bois married Jennie Du Hois, a lineal descend- 
ant of Louis Du Bois, who was mentioned at the 
beginning of this sketch. His death occurred on 
the 6th of July, 1888. By the former marriage 
there were born nine children: Thomas K., who 
died at the age of twenty-eight years; Reuben I).; 
Theodore P., a farmer of Fairfield Township; Dr. 
J. W.. a practicing physician of Batavia, Iowa; Na- 
tlianial .S., a resident farmer of Fairfield Township; 
Mary M.; Sarah C. ; Cornelius S., who resides in 
Omaha, Neb.; and Charlotte, who died at the age 
of two years. 

The second child of the family, Reuben D. 
Du Bois, the extensive stock-dealer, was born in 
McDonough County, 111., on Christmas Day of 
1842. and was brought to this county during his 
infancy. His education was acquired in the com- 



mon schools of the neighborhood, and as soon as 
he was old enough to ride a horse he commenced 
to drive stock, and it lias been his life work to deal 
therein. On attaining his majority he commenced 
buying stock as agent for the firm of Onderdonk & 
Redfield, of Galesburg, 111., with whom he remained 
two years, the last year receiving $100 per month 
and expenses. In 1865 he began operations in the 
same line in his own interests, and has continued 
the business to the present time with marked suc- 
cess. Other enterprises have also occupied his 
attention. He h:is also engaged in farming and 
in furnishing builiHng materials under contract, 
and for the last ten years has carried on a meat 
market. 

On the 21st of December, ISe,"), Mr. Du Bois led 
to the marriage altar Miss Sarah Welch, who was 
born in Tuscarawas County, Ohio. February 26, 
1845, and is a daughter of John and Clarissa 
(Chase) Welch, whose sketch appears on another • 
page of this work. One child has been born unto 
them, a daughter, Charlotts A. Both Mr Du Bois 
and his wife are members of the Methodist Church, 
and socially he is an Odd Fellow. Unlike his 
father and brothers, he is an advocate of Republi- 
can principles, and was elected by that party as Al- 
derman of the Second Ward for one term. Mr. Du 
Bois is a self-made man, having by his own efforts 
acquired his possessions, including one hundred 
and seventy acres of farm land beside his stock and 
town property. Though comparatively a young 
man, he is an old settler and one who stands high 
in the communitj-. 






^I^OIIN SNOOK, deceased, a pioneer of Jeffer- 
son County, of 1841, is well remembereil b}' 
many of the later as well as the earlier set- 
tlers of this community, for his residence in 
llie county covered a period of forty-seven years, 
during which time he witnessed the advanced po- 
sition to which it hail attained, and bore an active 
I part in the work nf [irogress and develo[)ineiit. He 



282 



PORTRAIT AND BIOCJRArHICAL ALBUM. 



wa« a man of more than average ability and su- 
IXirioi- intelligence for one of iiis day, and exerted 
an influence for the upbuilding of the county's 
best interests which was widely felt. 

Mr. Snook was born on a farm now within tiie 
corporate limits of the city of Allegheny. I'a.. July 
<), 1 818. His father, Casper Snook, was also a native 
of the Keystone Slate, and was born of German 
parentage. He served his country in the War of 
1812. The family removed to Ohio when .John 
was a youth, and settling near Ashland, he was 
there reared to manhond. and in 183'.» was joined 
in wedlock with Miss Mary Fowler, a native of the 
Empire State. The following year, accompanied 
by his young wife, he emigrated westward, and 
castini^ his lot with the pioneer settlers of the Tcr- 
ritorj of Iowa, settled in Lee County. The suc- 
ceeding year, in 1841, he removed to .lefferson 
County and located in Fnirfield Townsliip, one 
mile west of the city, and gave his attention to 
fiiruiing during the summer season, while during 
the winter months lie devoted his lime to teaching 
school. He was also employed on Government 
surveys in the northern part of the State for two 
seasons, but agricidlure was the vocation which 
engrossed the greater part of his time. As before 
stated, he was at once recognized as a leading 
spirit in the community, and was honored with 
various local offices of trust. He served as a mem- 
ber of the County Board of Supervisors, and, as in 
every other position wiiich lie w:is called ujion to fill, 
discharged his dulics with fidelity. He was an 
advocate of Democratic principles. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Snook was born a family 
consisting of four sons and four daughters: Helen, 
the eldest, is the widow of .Joseph Young, and is a 
resident of Fairlield : Calvin A. is a practicing physi- 
cian of Fairfield; lliumah is llic wife of J. C. Groff, 
of Fairfiehl; .luslin married Amanda Welsh, and is 
living in Cherry County, Ncli. ; Oscar is a farmer 
and stock-raiser of Cedar Township, Jefferson 
County; Rev. Ernest M. wedded Mary C. Carpen- 
ter, and is now pastor of the Fresbytcrian Church 
in Mfnlii. Iowa; .Icnnie S. is the wife of George 
Yuong, of Wymore, Neb. ; A'elma L. is a teacher of 
Beatrice, Neb. The mother of this family, who is 
a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church, 



since her husband's death has made her home with 
her son. Dr. Snook, of Fairfield. 

Mr. .Snook was a life-long member of tlie Presby- 
terian Cliurch, and for forty years served as one of 
its Elders. He was also a delegate to General 
Conference several different times, and he mani- 
fested his interest in the cause by liberal contribu- 
tions and an untiring zeal in the work connected 
with it. As before stated, he was a man of superior 
education for his day in the West, and was a liberal 
contributor to the religious literature of his church. 
In early life he liad studied for the ministry, but 
his constitution was never strong, and the condi- 
tion of his health demanded outdoor exercise, 
which he found in farm life. However, he alwaj's 
took a warm interest in educational and religious 
matters, and was ever read}' to advance theii inter- 
ests. In 1885 he sohl his farm and removed to 
Fairfield, where he spent the latter years of his life, 
his death occurring in 1888, at the age of sixty-nine 
years. He enjoyed a wide circle of acquaintanies 
and was most highly respected and esteemed. 




'-^-^^^^i^^^t^^ 



ON. BERNHART HENN, deceased, one of 

Jefferson County's most honored pioneers, 
was born in Cherry Valley, N, Y.. in 1817. 
(^) He sprang from one of the ohl substantial 
yeoman families that was numbered among the 
earl}' settlers of tliat valley. He was a man of 
splendid natural endowments, and in early life re- 
ceived the best scholastic training. At the age of 
seventeen years, he began the stirring battle of life 
for himself. During the school year he would fol- 
low the profession of teaching, and through vaca- 
tion, in his leisure hours, pursued the stud}' of law 
and thoroughly equipped himself for the legal pro- 
fession, and for some years engaged in active prac- 
tice. In an early d.ay in the history of Iowa, he 
located in Burlington, where he met Gen. A. C. 
Dodge, with whom he became intimately associa- 
ted. With that gentleman he went to Wisconsin, 
and engaged in lead mining for a time, anil on his 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



283 



return to Burlington was made general land agent 
foi- the Government, in wiiioh capacitj' lie served 
at'C('|ital)ly for a number of jears. 

On liie Gth of August, 1841, near the city of Bur- 
lington, Mr. llcnn wasuiiiled in marriage with Miss 
hlizaheth .S., daughter of .)ohn B. and Catherine 
(Kalor) Price. Tlu: lady is a native of Baltimore. 
Md. By the leath (if her i)arents, she was left an 
urpiian wlien a mere fluid, and was reared by an 
aunt wiih whom she came to Iowa. Into them were 
boru six children: Mary .).. wife of Dr. K. H. Huf- 
ford. of Fairfield; Anna and Bernliart, both de- 
ceased; Clara; Kdward, a prominent lawyer of 
Sioux City; a!id Kate, wife of Dr. C. R. Bissell, a 
noted physician of New York. 

In 1844, Mr. llenn was appointed Register of the 
land office of Fairfield, by President Polk, a |)osi- 
tion which he held four years. This necessitated 
his removal to Jefferson County, and was the means 
of securing to the county' one of its most honored 
and prominent citizens. From 1849 until 1853, he 
repiesented his district in the United States (Jon- 
gress, and for two years was prominently i(1entified 
with railroad affairs in the East. Returning to 
Fairfield, he then embarked in the banking business 
but tlie war came on, and with other financial in- 
stitutions of the country, the one in which he was 
interested, went down, the stockholders suffering 
considerable loss. As a i;itizen,Mr. Ilenn wasever 
active in advancing the interests of the community 
in which he lived; he laid out the Ilenn and Will- 
iams addition to Fairfield, and in many other ways 
was instrumental in the promotion of her worthy 
enterprises and interests. Puliticallj', he was a life- 
long Democrat. In church work, Mr. Henn took 
a verj' active part, he and his wife both being lead- 
ing members iu the Congregational Church. Ever 
ready to extend a helping hand to the poor and 
needy, his charitable ami benevolent impulses won 
him unnumbered friends. On the 30th of August, 
1865, he closed his life work, beloved by all who 
know him both at home and abroad. His widow 
still survives him, and retains almost perfectly her 
mental and physical faculties, although she is now 
somewhat advanced in years. She has been a lib- 
eral donator to the Fairfield Library, which is with- 
out a peer in any city of its size in the country. 



Of the settlers of 1844 but few remain, yet those 
who still survive, together with those who later 
came to the county, will read willi pleasure this brief 
sketch of the life work of Hon. Bernliart Henn, a 
man who always tried to promote the best interests 
of home, of societv ami of the church. 



-'~H->>^^Xo' t :■' 1^ 



'jf^REDERlCK B. HUFFMAN is the senior 
jl-Wgi^ partner of the linn of HutTman & Herring, 
;L) dealers in groceries and qiieensware. of Fair- 

field, Jefferson County. The firm was organized and 
began business on the 'ind of June, 1889, but Mr. 
Huffman has continued operations in his present 
line for the past ten years. He is a native of Iowa, 
having been born in Lick Creek Township, Van 
Buren County, on the 1st of April, 1842. A sketch 
of his parents. Burke and Mary (Miller) Huffman, 
appears on another page of this work. Frederick B., 
was reared to farm life and received such educa- 
tional advantages as the common schools of that 
day afforded. The first event of any importance 
which marked his life was his enlistment, at the 
age of nineteen years, in the country's service. On 
July 22, 1861, he becamea member of Company H. 
Fifth Iowa Infantry and for three years followed 
the old flag. On the 24tl) of November. 1863, at 
Missionary- Ridge, iie was seriously wounded by a 
gun shot in the left shoulder, which disabled him 
for diity for some time. With his regiment he par- 
ticipated in many of the important engagements of 
the war, includinir the siege and second battle of 
Corinth, the battle of luka, the siege and capture 
of Vicksburg, the battle of Champion Hills, the 
capture of Jackson, Miss., the capture of New Mad- 
rid and the battles of Island No. 10 and Missionary 
Ridge. His term of service having at length ex- 
pired, he w.a.s mustered out July 22, 1864, reccivino' 
an honorable discharge as one who had done his 
duty on every occasion. 

Shortly after his return home. Mr. Huffman m.ade 
a trip to Oregon, and in that .Slate and Idaho en- 
gaged in mining, reaching Iowa in the month of 



264 



rourUAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



October, 1866, after a two years' absence amid 
wi-slern scenes. Kinbarkinj;; in the rlrug business 
he iliii a good trade in tlial line in Birmingliain 
iMitil KS75. when he sold out. The succeeding year 
he traveled for a dnij; house, tiien engaged in 
clerking for a year and during the following three 
vearsdevoled liis attention to agricultural pursuits. 
In 1880, he embarked in the grocery business and 
with good success has continued operations in that 
line during the past decade. 

In Jefferson County, Iowa, on tlie 24lh of Janu- 
arv, 1867, Mr. Huffman was joined in wedlock with 
.Miss Martha M. Skinner, a daughter of Charles 
Darwin Skinner, and a native of Van Buren County, 
where her f:iiiiily had ssltieil in an early day. The 
death of her father occurred in February, 1890, 
hut her mother is still living in Birmingham. Mr. 
Huffman is a Re|)ul)lican in politics and fur six 
voars held tin' office of Postmaster of Birmingham. 
Soi iaily, he is a member of Clinton Lodge, No. 15, 
A. V. & A. M. He does an annual business of 
abiiut $15,000 and is regarded by all wiio have had 
dealings with him as a straightforward, upright 
business man. 



ig^%^€ 



,EN.IAMIN 1'. BLACKMER, M. D., a 
i practicing physician and surgeon of Bona- 
parte, Van Buren County, Iowa, was born 
in Wyoming County, N. Y., on the 6th of 
April, 1839, and is a son of Gen. Charles J. Black- 
nu T. The family is of English descent and was 
founded in America by the great-grandfather of 
our subject, who at an eprly day left his home 
across the water ami emigrated to America. That 
was prior to the War of the Revolution in which 
he .served. Gen. Blackmer was an altorney-at-law 
by profession and was a man of superior ability. 
His large and well balanced brain which readily 
grasped any situation, made him a power at the bar 
and his commanding presence readily claimed the 
attention of all. In disp()sition he was social, genial 
and proved an entertaining companion. He had a 



keen perception of honor, was a good judge of na- 
ture and endeavored to make truth and purity the 
standard by which his own life was governed. All 
who knew him respected liim ami sincere grief was 
felt at his death, which occurred in Wyoming 
County, N. Y. He married Miss Permela Peck, 
who was also descended from Revolutionary stock, 
her grandfather having served in the War for In- 
dependence, during which he was captured and im- 
prisoned in the old prison ship in New York Har- 
bor. By the union of Gen. Blackmer and his wife, 
live children were born, four sons and a daughter: 
Irvin, Benjamin P.. James, IJrana and George M. 
The daughter is the widow of the late Edgar L. 
Kighney, of Attica, N. Y., and the youngest son is 
also a physician engaged in practice in Pike, Wyo- 
ming County, N. Y. He graduated from the Keo- 
kuk Medical College and afterwards from Bellevue 
Hosi)ital at New York City. The mother of this 
family who, like her husband, won for herself many 
friends as the result of her graces of character and 
man3' excellent qualities, died in Wyoming County, 
N. Y. 

Dr. Blackmer, whose name he.ads this notice, 
spent the days of his boyhood and youth in his 
native Slate and received his education in the com- 
mon schools and the Brockport Collegiate Insti- 
tute. It was his desire to engage in the practice 
of medicine as a life work and to this end he began 
reading at home. Ten years later he emigrated to 
Paw Paw, Mich., where he engaged in teaching 
school and also embarked in the jirosecution of his 
chosen profession which he continued in that lo- 
cality for five years. In 1878, he came to Bona- 
parte, Iowa. The same year he attended a course of 
lectures in the Keokuk Medical College and in the 
month of June was graduated from that institution, 
since which lime he has been in active practice in 
Bonaparte. 

In 1881, Dr. Blackmer was united in mariiage 
with Miss Colusa Sturdivanl, daughter of R. J. 
Sturdivant, and by their union have been born two 
children — Capitola p.nd N'ola. This family holds a 
high position in the social world and the Blackmer 
household is noted for its hospitality. The Doctor 
is essentially a self-made man and no person living 
in Van Buren County to-dav is entitled to greater 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



285 



credit for raising liimsolf from a coinparati vc luiiii- 
ble position to one of eminence in liis profession. 
He is still a stuclent,as is every first-class member of 
tlie profession, and keeps well informed concerning 
all of the latest discoveries in medical science. 



i 



-^^-f-i- 



^^^ W. IIIDY, one of the honored pioneers of 
If (-—, Jefferson County, Iowa, residing on section 
""^^^ 22, Locust Grove Township, came to the 
county in I80G from Fayette County, Ohio. 

Mr. Hidy was born in Fayette County, Ohio, in 
1832, and is a son of George and .Susan (Wagner) 
lliiiy, who were parents of nine children, he being 
the fifth in order of birth. From Virginia, their 
native State, they removed to Ohio, in 1825, mak- 
ing a location in Fayette County, where Mr. Hidy 
carried on farming for many years. He reached 
the advanced age of eight}', and passed from this 
life in 1880, having survived his wife fifteen years. 
The Hidy farail}' was established in America by the 
grandfather of our subject, a Hessian gentleman, 
who was pressed into the British service to help 
subdue the Colonies during the Revolutionary War, 
but on reaching this country he deserted and made 
a home, establishing a family of which our subject 
IS a descendant. The Wagner family dates its resi- 
dence in America from Colonial days. The original 
American progenitor after reaching this country 
had to work for three years to pay for his trans- 
portation. He made his home in Virginia and his 
descendants fought for American independence. 

The early life of our subject was spent in a man- 
ner not unlike that in which fanner lads usually 
pass their time. During the summer months he 
aided his father in farm labor an<l in the winter 
season attended the district schools of the neigh- 
borhood, whore he acquired a good English edu- 
cation. Reading and observation have largely 
supplemented the knowledge acquired in the school- 
room and he is now a well-inforineil man who keeps 
well posted in regard to all general issues. At tlie 
age of twenty-four years he determined to try his 



fortune in the \\'est and niaile a location in Jeffer- 
son County, Iowa, then a part of the Territory of 
Michigan. For some three or four years after his 
arrival, he devoted himself exclusively to carpenter 
work, then divided his time between that occupa- 
tion and farming, but is now engaged exclusively' 
in agricultural pursuits. 

It was a fortunate move for Mr. Hidy, his coming 
to Iowa, for he here hscarae acquainted with and 
wedded Miss Mary Moore, who has been to him a 
true helpmate on life's journey. Their union was 
celebrated in 1857. The lady is a native of Indiana, 
and a daughter of Samuel and Mary (Sears) Moore. 
Her father, a native of Kentucky, went to Indiana 
in his j'outh and was there married. He came with 
his family to Jefferson Count}', in 1852, settli.ig in 
Locust Grove Township, but after some 3'ears resi- 
dence in that locality he removed to Phillips 
County, Kan., where he j'et makes his home. He 
lost his wife some 3'ears ago while they were living 
in Kankakee County, 111. The paternal grandfather 
of Mrs. Hidy was a native of Kentucky and died 
in Indiana. Her maternal grandfather. David 
Sears, was born in North Carolina and wedded 
Catherine Crum, a native of the same State. At an 
early day they removed to Kcnluck}', locating 
near Louisville, whence they went to Indiana. 
Later their place of residence was in Coles Count}', 
111., and in 1846, they arrived in Jefferson County. 
Iowa, where Mr. Soars purchased a claim and de- 
veloped a farm, continuing to make his home thereon 
until his death, which occurred in 1870. His wife 
died some j'ears previous. He was well known 
throughout the county as one of its honored pio- 
neers and was a most higldy respected citizen. 

For thirty years G. W. Hidy has owned and 
operated his present farm. His first purchase of 
land consisted of eighty acres but only twelve 
acres of that amount was broken. Clearing away 
the brush he [.lowed the laiul, planted crops and in 
the course of time had a good farm which yielded 
him a ready return for the care and cultivation he 
beslowo<l u|)on it. As the years passed along and 
his financial resources increased, he made other 
purchases until now his landed possessions aggre- 
gate three hn.idrod and forty-five acres, the greater 
I part of which is under a high state of cultivation, 



z«o 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



while the remainder is devoted to pasturage, Mr. 
Hidy giving considerable attention to tlie raising 
of stoclt. Ho keeps on hand only the best grades 
that his business in this line may not be inferior to 
the rest of his fanning interests. 

The home of Mr. ami Mrs. Hidy has been blessed 
with live chihlren, two sons and three daughters, 
namely : Mary, Susan. Blanche, Charlie and George. 

The ca\ise of education finds in Mr. Hidy a warm 
friend and for three terras he was an edicienl mem- 
ber of the School Board. He has held other local 
otliccs including that of Township Assessor but has 
never sought political preferment. However as 
every true American citizen should do, be feels au 
interest in political affairs and by his ballot sup- 
ports tlie Kepulilican party. More th.in a liiird of 
a century has passed since he came to tiie county. 
Iowa then was in its infancy. The State afforded 
no railroad facilities, its leading cities were then 
mere hamlets or had not yet been founded, and the 
work of civilization and jirogress seemed scarcely 
begun. .lefferson County, thanks to its early set- 
tlers, has kept pace in the progress wiiidi has marked 
the history of the Slate, lieing one of the leading 
counties of Iowa. Although its towns and cities 
are not commercial centers, Fairfield is a thriving 
place witli good general trade and furnished with 
many of the facilities which places, ;issuiuing to be 
of more importance, lack. As a splendid agricul- 
tural region the count}' is hardly sur|)assed and its 
stea<ly growth and advancement argue for it a 
prosperous future .as well .as present. Mr. Hidy 
has borne his part in brin^jing about this result and 
after his name may Qlly be written the woids — an 
honored pioneer. 



LVIN TIIAYKR WELLS holds the position 

^O of Librarian and Treasurer of the Fairfield 

14) Library Association, and no one is more 

widely or favorably known throughout the 

community than the sfcntlenian whose name heads 

this sketch. He was born in Springfield Town- 



ship, Erie County, Pa., December 26, 1828, and is 
a son of Aaron and Betsy (Aldrich) "Wells. On 
both sides, the geneologieal records trace the families 
back to the .Mayflower. The paternal grandfather 
of our subject, Ezckiel Wells, was a native of New 
Hampshire, a farmer by occupation and a soldier 
of the Revolulionar}' War. Having married, he 
removed to E'-ie County. Pa., and lived to the ad- 
vanced age of eightj'-seven years. Aaron Wells 
was born in the (iranite State. He was twice mar- 
ried, his first union being with Betsy Aldrich. by 
whom he had a family of five children, of whom 
our sulijeet is the only one now living. Mrs. Wells 
died and was interred at Fairfield, Iowa. .Subse- 
quently Mr. Wells returned to Pennsylvania, mar- 
ried Mrs. Clarissa Wel)ber. and again came back to 
Fairfield, where he resided a few years, but once 
more he returneiT to his Pennsjivania home, and 
there died at an advanced age, his wife surviving 
him aliout one year. On his removal to Pennsyl- 
vania from New Hampshire, Mr. Wells engaged in 
farming, becoming one of the well to-do citizens of 
the neighborhood, and taking a prominent part in 
local affairs. In his political affiliations he was a 
Whig, while he and his wife were life-long mem- 
bers of tlie Methodist Episcopal Ciiurch. Their 
home was open for the reception of all the pioneer 
preachers, who never failed to receive a hearty wel- 
come. 

The early life of Alvin T. Wells was such as to 
bring out all the determination and self-reliance in 
him. His was not an easy boyhood, but the lessons 
of industry and frugality which he learned, have 
no doubt been important factors in his success in 
after life. He w.as forced to share in the arduous 
labors of clearing a timbered farm and his early 
education was acquired in the district schools. 
However, he afterwards spent two years in Kings- 
ville Acadeni}-, and his business training was re- 
ceived in a mercantile establishment, where for 
some time he was employed as a salesman. In 1850, 
at the age of twenty-two years, he started for Cali- 
fornia, going down the Ohio and up the Mississippi 
and Missouri Rivers to old Ft. Carney, whence 
his party, ccmsisling of himself and five com- 
panions, started with mule teams across the plains. 
On the way one of their number died uf the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALHUM. 



287 



cholera, and another was drowned while crossing 
the Platte River. After joiirneyin<; for one iuin- 
dre(J an<l eleven days, they at lengtli reached 
Placerville, and during tlie next two j'ears Mr. 
Wells engaged in mining, after which he relumed 
b3' the Panama route and, like '-Sinbad, the Sailor," 
was somewhat enriched. In 1853 he went to Illi- 
nois where he occupied the position of salesman in 
his brother's drug store. The following year he 
came to Fairtield where he opened a drug store, 
doing business in that line for himself for some four 
years. He then joined his brother in the manufacture 
of patent medicines in Chicago, but after a year's 
partnership his brother died, and Mr. Wells con- 
tinued the l)usiness alone for some two years longer, 
when he removed to Fairfield. Shortly afterwards 
he discontinued operations in tiiat line, and, in 
18G2 was made Librarian of the Fairfield Library, 
a position he has held continuously since. At odd 
times he works at the carpenter's trade which he 
picked up in early life, but devotes the greater 
part of his attention to the interests of the library. 
For the last six years he has been Treasurer of the 
Fairfield Library Association. His memory' is cer- 
tainly' remarkable for, although the librar}- con- 
tains over eleven thousand volumes, he can put 
his hand on any book d'fesired without consulting a 
catalogue. 

In October, I860, Mr. Wells was united in mar- 
riage with Martha L. Mattliews. a native of Johns- 
town, Pa., and a daughter of John Matthews, who 
came from Pennsylvania to this county- with liis 
family about 1855. After remaining three vears, 
liowever. he returned to the Keystone Stale, where 
he and his wife spent their last days. It waa dur- 
ing the residence of the family in Jefferson Countj' 
that Mr. Weils formed the acquaintance of the 
daughter and their friendship ripening into love, 
he went to Johnstown to claim his bride. By their 
union were born five children, three of whom are 
yet living; one having died in infancy, while the 
death of Kate occurred in her sovcntecnlii vear. 
William M. is now employed as a salesman in a dry 
goods bouse of Fairfield ; Mary E. is at home, and 
Thomas S. is with the American Express Com- 
pany. 

Politically, Mr. Wells is a Republican, having 



supported that party since easting his first vote for 
Fremont in 1856. He has been connected with the 
Odd Fellows society for thirty-five years, and his 
wife is a member of the Presbyterian "Church. 
Tiiougli not an olfice seeker, he has held the offices 
of Township Assessor and Clerk. He is the owner of 
two hundred and forty acres of valuable land situ- 
ated two and a half miles south of Fairfield, which, 
like his other possessions, has been acquired 
through his own efforts. He may truly;be called 
a self-made man, as his success in life is due entirely 
to his industry, enterprise and good nian.agement, 
He deserves much credit for what he has done for 
the advancement of the library's interests and all 
recognize his worth and faitiifulness as allibrarlan. 
Besides purchasing three hundred shares of library 
stock, he has done a vast amount of work for nomi- 
nal pay. 



-5^^- 




EWIS CASS MEEK, a worthy representa- 
tive of the honored pioneer family men- 
tioned al)Ovc and a |)roiniiient farmer and 
stock-raiser, of Bonaparte. Iowa, w.as horn in Van 
Buren County of the 28th of May, 1859, and is a 
son of Robert and Abigail Meek. His education 
was acquired in the district schools of the neigh- 
borhood and he wiis reared to manhood in his na- 
tive count}-. His father owned and operated one 
of the first mills in the county, but on account of 
poor health in his youth, he was not allowed to en- 
gage in the work of milling. In 1879, when a 
young man of twenty years, he journeyed west- 
ward, locating in Colorado, where he spent two 
years. Returning at the ex|iiration of that time 
to his n.flive county, he embarked in stock-raising, 
which he has since made his chief business, carry- 
ing on the same with marked success. 

In 1882 Mr. Meek led to the marriage altar Miss 
Anna M. Eich, one of the fair daughters of Van 
Buren County. Her birth occurretl on the 6th of 
February, 1857, and her parents are Jacob and 
Agnes (Beck) Eich, early settlers of this com- 



2MH 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



niunilv. Two children, boys, grace tbeir uniou, 
iiiilK whom have been given the names of Philip 
ami WiiUlo R.. and one died in infancy. 

The line slock farm of wliicli Mr. Meek is the 
owner, comprises four humlred and ninety-five 
acres, all under fence, adjoining the corporation 
limits of Bonaparte, lie raises in large numbers 
the best grades of stock and has gained the reputa- 
tion as one of the leading stock-growers of South- 
eastern Iowa. He is a man of good business 
ability, of sterling worth and strict integrity, and a 
worthy representative of the honored pioneer 
family. In his political afliliations, he is a Demo- 
crat, having supported the party since attaining 
his majority. 



*^*2>* -J»i>'«^^«*^^<?»^—<*'*^- 



S ICHARD II. LKGGETT, deceased, was for 
,|^i man}- years one of the prominent and en- 
<jfc \v terprising citizens of Fairfield, where he lo- 
cated in 1 855. As the proprietor of the 
Leggett House he had an extended acquaintance, as 
a business man his reputation was unmarred, and as 
u citizen he ranked among the licst. He was born 
in Washington Countj', Pa., March 25, ISll. and 
was a son of .Icsse and Mar}' (Cheek) Leggett. The 
Leggett faniil}' is of English origin and was founded 
in America at an early day, its re|);esentati ves Ije- 
coming residents of Maryland. 

When six years of age, Mr. Leggett left his na- 
tive State and removed with the family to Carroll 
County, Ohio, where he received a common-school 
education. I^ater he engaged in merchandising in 
that county and afterwards engaged in hotel keep- 
ing. It was also during his residence in the Buck- 
eye State that lie raised a regiment for the Mexican 
War and was commissioned Colonel, but they were 
never called into active duty on account of the ter- 
mination of the war. 

In .lefferson County. Ohio, on the 25th of April, 
1833, Mr. Leggett w.as united in marriage wiih 
Basheba Viers, who was born in Island Creek, Jef- 
ferson County, Ohio, April 2'J, l,si5, and is a 



daughter of Elisha W. and Margaret (Ferrell) Viers. 
Her father was born in Montgomery County, Md., 
of English descent and her mother in N'irginia of 
Irish parentage. In 1855, Mr. Leggett and his 
family started for low.i. For eighteen years prior 
to his emigration westward he had eng.iged in ho- 
tel keeping in CarroUton, Ohio, and on his arrival 
in Fairfield he embarked in the same line of busi- 
ness. To the hotel which he opened he gave the 
name of Leggett House and to this day it remains 
the leading establisliincnt of the kind in the city. 
In fact it is almost without competition and was 
raised to its present high standard of excellence by 
its founder. 

>>iue children were born to 3Ir, and Mrs. Leg- 
gett, three died in childhood and six grew to ma- 
ture years, two sons and four daughters — Samaniha, 
wife of Rev. John Hochuly, of Fairfield; Ella, who 
became the wife of Dr. Thomas Smith, of New 
Philadelphia, Ohio, died ]\larch 15, 1857; James 
Milton married Jessie Coulter and died April 15, 
1890, in Ciiicago; Permelia, is the wife of George 
W. Phelps, of Fairfield; diaries D., Judge of the 
District Court wedded Beatrice Cunningham and 
resides in Fairfield ; Frank E. is the wife of Charles 
Whiting of Chicago. 

In his earlier years ^Ir. Leggett was a Democrat 
but from the time of the Lincoln campaign until 
his death he was an ardent supporter of Republi- 
can principles. Socially he was a member of Clin- 
ton Lodge, No. 15, A. F. <fe A. M. His wife united 
in 1858 with the Presbyterian Church, of which she 
has since been a consistent member. Since her 
husband's death, which occurred on the 8th of Sep- 
tember, 1884, she has leased the hotel but is still 
one of its boarders. 

Asa landlord, ]Mr. Leggett was deservedly popu- 
lar. His long experience had given him a thor- 
ough knowledge of the business and the ability to 
judge correctly of human nature. While his house 
was always as perfect in its appointment as possible, 
in keeping with the importance of the town, his ta- 
ble was ever supplied with tiie best the market af- 
forded. He was genial and courteous and held liie 
good will of a large circle of patrons who esteemed 
him as one of the best landlords in the West. He 
was a in:iii whom everybod}' respected for his 





BETHEL CAMPBELL. 



PORTUAIT AND lilUGllAPillCAL ALIJIM. 



i91 



sterliiinf intc<i^iitv and manly independence of elinr- 
acter. His lifelwas in harmony wiiii liis profession 
and the respect and eonfldence with which he was 
lield by ail was but the natural se(iucnce of his con- 
sistent living. 



.^. 



¥^ 



^Tp\,ETHEL CAMPBELL, the sec'ond child of 
' -'' Archibald and Catherine (Iloidv) Cani|)bell, 
well-known pioneers of this community of 
1842, is engaged in farming and stock-rais- 
ing on section 8, Van Bnrcn Township, Van Bnreii 
Conntj'. the old homestead of the family. His 
father, who was widely known tlironghout this 
region, was born in Virginia in the year of 
180G, grew to manhood in his native State and 
made farming his life occupation. Going to Ohio, he 
was there married, at about the age of twenty-four 
years, to Catherine Ilouk, who was born in the 
lUickeye State in 1813. Returning with his bride 
to ^■irginia he settled upon a farm, which he ob- 
tained from his father, paying him (the faliier) $100 
per year during the remainder of his life. The 
spring of 1842 witnessed the arrival of Archibald 
Campbell and his family in ^'an Buren County, and 
soon afterward he made purchase of three hundred 
and twenty acres of timber land, located in Van 
Buren Township. He then began life in true pioneer 
style. Into a log cabin, which he built, the family 
moved, after which the work of developing and 
improving the farm began. His efforts were crowned 
with success and soon a comfortable home was ob- 
tained as the reward of bis labors. He died August 
31, 1890. in Village Township, Van Buren County, 
at the advanced age of eighty-four years, a worthy- 
and respected citizen. Throughout life he had been 
a supporter of Democratic principles and for many 
years l.e had been a member of the Methodist 
Clnirch. His wife, who was also connected with thai 
church for many years as one of its zealous mem- 
bers, was called to her reward July 21, 1884. 
Twelve children were Iiorii unto them and with the 
exce|)tion of one. who died in infancy, all lived to 



adult age. Alexander, the eldest, is engaged in 
farming in Village Township; Bethel is the next 
younger; Henry, who served three years in the 
I'nion arm}' during the war, is now deceased; 
James is a farmer of L'nion Township; Jacob died 
in infancy; John C. served three years in Company 
I, Nineteenth Iowa Infantry, and is now deceased; 
Margaret J. resides in this county; Martha E. is 
now Mrs. Shii)ley, of Des Moines Township; Mary 
A. is now Mrs. Kambo, of \'an Buren Township; 
Mrs. Nancy Martin resides in Fairfield, Jefferson 
County; Archibald P. makes his home in Clay 
County, Kan.; and Alice is now deceased. 

Our subject was a lad of nine summers when he 
accompanied his parents to Van Buren Count}'. In 
consequence of their early settlement in the com- 
munity, little opportunity was afforded him for 
securing an education, but by self-culture he suffi- 
ciently prepared to engage in teaching in the dis- 
trict schools of tlie State, whicli he followed for 
some years. Having a natural a|)titude for tools 
and mechanics, he learned the carpenter's trade, at 
which he worked for some time after beginning 
life for himself at the age of eighteen years. Alter- 
nating his time between that occupation and school 
leaching, he gained some capital, but with the hope 
of bettering his financial condition in the spring 
of 18G2, with an ox-team, ho crossed the plains to 
the Pacific Slope, consuming about five months in 
making the journey. He first went to Oregon, 
where he worked at carpentering for a half year. 
In February, 1863, he went to Idaho where he 
constructed the trestle woik of an aqueduct for 
mining a ditch. The structure is one hundred and 
four feel at the highest point and about three hun- 
dred feet long. Afterward he became agent for 
the Ditch Company, in whose employ lie re- 
mained about three years. At the expiration of 
that time he returned to this county. He made the 
journey on horseback from Idaho City to Ft. Ben- 
Ion at ft time when the Sioux and Blackfeet Indi- 
ans were on the war path. It was necessary oftimes. 
to travel far into the night to find a place for 
camping in safety, and some would stand guard 
while others slept. Notwithstanding the care taken 
to avoid all danger, the party with which he trav- 
eled had some very narrow and exciting cscai)cs 



292 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



from being captured by tlie dusky warriors. From 
Vl. Benton Mr. Campbell traveled by boat to 
Omaha, then l)y stajre to Ft. Des .Moines, wlierc 
he took the Des Moines N'alley R-^ilroad which 
had just been completed, and finished his journey 
by rail. Soon after his return Mr. Catnplioll again 
engaged in teaching for a time, after which he pur- 
ch.ased the old homestead and resuming the occupa- 
tion to whi<hho had been reared, has since devoted 
his time and attention to farming and stock-raising. 
He is numbered among the representative farmers 
of the community and has a reputation for raising 
only the best grades of slock, including horses cat- 
tle.sheep and hogs. His farm, comprising three hun- 
dred and forty acres is all well improved and gives 
evidence of the thrift and industry of the owner. 
On the -iGth of November, 1867, Mr. Campbell 
led to the marri.age altar Miss Mary E. Johnston, of 
Van Buren County, a daughter of William and 
Martha (Forbes) Johnston. Her father was n na- 
tive of I'ennsylvauia, hut her mother was of Irish 
birth. The former died March 15, 1881, and Mrs. 
Johnston passed away on the 2d of September,! 889. 
Mrs. Campbell was born in Ohio. July 2, 1843, and 
as the result of their union they have three inter- 
esting children — Thomas E., Charles A. and Myrtle 
L.,all at home. They have lost one child, Ira W., 
the third in order of birth, who died in infancy. 
Mr. Campbell is a Democrat in politics and his wife 
is a member of the Presbyterian Church of Mt. 
Zion. 



^ ■^-^-^- 



^OLLIN J. WILSON, of the law firm of Wil- 
,„,, son & Hinkle, of I-'airfield, was born in the 
tli \V citj' whi<'h is still his home, on the 18th of 
October, 18.j3. and is the eldest son of the 
Hon. James F. Wilson, who is at jiresent United 
Slates Senator from lowa.and whose sketch appears 
on another page of this work. 

Rollin J., the subject of this notice, was edu- 
cated in the public schools of his native town and 
in the Slate I'niversity, being graduated from the 
latter institution on the completion of the classical 



course, in the spring of 1875. During his last year 
the college he was Adjutant of the Military Battal- 
ion of the State University. His law studies were 
pursued under the tutelage of his father and he was 
admitted to the baron the 8th of January, 1878, and 
to practice in the .Supreme Court of the State, on the 
loth of June. 188(1. Two years later he was ad- 
mitted before Judge Love to practice in the circuit 
and district courts of the United States. He began 
his professional career in his native cit^', and in 
1881 formed a partnership with .1. M. Hinkle, which 
has continued to the present. In 1884 Mr. Wilson 
was appointed local attorney for the Chicago, Bur- 
lington ik (^uincy Railroad Company, and about 
tiie same time was chosen attorney for the Chicago, 
Rock Island & Pacific Railroad Comi)any, which 
positions he has held continuously since. For three 
years he filled the office of Count3' Attorney for 
Jefferson County, by appointment of the Boaid of 
.Supervisors, and when that office became an elect- 
ive one he was the first to be called upon to serve 
in that position, entering upon the duties of the 
same January 1, 1887. He was then re-elected in 
the fall of 188i*, and is now serving his second 
term, an efficient and capable officer. In IMarcli, 
1888. he was elected a member of the Hoard of 
Education for a term of three years, and is a mem- 
ber of the committee on plans for building the new 
schoolhousc, also on the coinniitlee for heating and 
seating the same, and on grades and discipline. 

In politics, Mr. Wilson is a decided Re|)ulilican, 
but of strong temperance sentiment. He has been 
an active worker in the temperance cause and was 
the organizer of the Blue Ribbon Club, of which 
he was President two years. This was a most pop- 
ular temperance movement and accomplished much 
good. During Mr. Wilson's connection with it 
about three thousand people were induced to sign 
the pledge, and the influence of the club aided not 
a little in carrying the county and district for the 
constitutional amendment of prohibition. 

On the i;Uh of October, 1881. in Fairfield, :Mr. 
Wilson and Miss JIary A. McKemey, youngest 
daughter of Joseph A. McKemey, were united in 
marriage. Mrs. Wilson is a native of Fairfield, 
where her parents, whose sketch appears on another 
page of this work, are numbered among the early 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



293 



settlers. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson are membtrs of the 
Congregational Church. Unto them have been 
born two intercstins; ohildren, daughters — Marj* 
Louise and Helen Cynthia. 

IMr. Wilson is a member of Forest City Lodge, 
No. l.S, K. P. Altliouurh comi)aratively a young 
man, he is rapidly •.vinning a foremost place in his 
cho-^en profession and the firm of wl)irh he is the 
senior member has its full share of business in the 
local and neighboring courts. 



' ACOB S. McKEMEY. of the law firm of Mc- 
Kemey Ar Simmons, of Fairfield, is a native 
Jefferson Count}', and a son of Joseph A. 
and Cynthia A. (Hemphill) JIcKeraej', 
who were pioneer settlers of Iowa of 1839. A 
sUelch of his parents appears elsewhere in this 
work. He was born in Fairfield on the 7th of 
Heptember, 1851, and w.is educated at Iowa Col- 
lege, at Grinnell. after which he began preparations 
for the legal profession in the law oflice of Stubbs 
and Leggett of Fairfield, being admitted to prac- 
tice on the 3rd of May, 1877, and entered upon his 
professional labors at Fairfield as a partner of 
Charles D. Leggelt, who is now judge of the dis- 
trict court, under the firm name of Leggett d- Mc- 
Kemey. That connection continued through ten 
consecutive years, or until Judge Leggett took his 
place upon the bench December 6, 1886. On the 
wiihdrawMl of the senior partner. Mr. McKemey 
formed the existing partnership with Eben F. Sim- 
mons, who had been a student and clerk in his of- 
fice for several years. 

On the 3rd of M.ay. 1881, in Fairfield, Jlr. Mc- 
Kemey was united in marriage with Miss Ada 
Light, daughter of .Solomon Light. She died on 
the 10th of June, 1887, leaving one child, a son, 
Charles L.. wiio was born July 27, 1882. Mr. Mc- 
Kemey was again married ou the lOthofJune, 
ISH'.I. his present wife having been Miss Julia L. 
Scofield, ft daughter of Biynnl T. Scofield, of 
Carthage. III. The laily was born in Carthage, 



graduated from the college of that city ,and coming 
to Fairfield was elected Superintendent of the 
schools of that city, re-elected and served four 
years in that capacity. She is a lady of culture 
and refinement and like her husband is held in high 
regard throughout the community. Mr. and Mrs. 
McKciiiey attend the Congregational Church of 
Fairfield. In political sentiment he is a Republi- 
can but has never been a candidate for any office, 
preferring to devote his undivided attention to his 
professional business. He is one of the stockhold- 
ers in the newly organized Iowa State Savings 
Bank, and is a member of its first board of direc- 
tors. The firm of McKemey <fe Simmons will oc- 
cupy the entire second floor of the new bank build- 
ing when completed, where they will have the most 
elegant and complete suite of office rooms in the 
city. The senior partner has been a resident of 
Fairfield throughout his entire life and has now 
been engaged in the successful practice of his pro- 
fession here for thirteen years. 



--^ 



-^ 




APT. SIMPSON J. CHESTER, who since 
1850 h.is been a resident of Iowa, is now 
nundjered among the enterprising citizens 
of Fairfield, and it is with pleasure that we present 
his sketch to the readers of the Album, knowing 
that it will be received with interest b}- his manv 
friends. 

The Captain was born In Kosciusko County, 
Iiid., near Warsaw, March IG, 1840, and is a son 
of Joseph and Jane (Robinson) Chester. His father, 
a native of New Jersey, was born Alarch 16, 1806, 
emigrated with his parents to Ohio while but a 
boy, and there resided to the time of his raaturitv. 
He became acquainted with and married Miss Roii- 
inson. who was born June 2. 1807, a native of the 
Keystone State, and soon after went to Kosciusko 
County, Ind., a sparsely settled part of the State, 
where at that time hundreds of Indians could be 
seen any d.ay. Accompanied by (heir children, 
they emigrated to Iowa in 18o0, and for six years 



294 



rOUTRAlT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



residcfl in Linn County, when, in 185G. tiiey came 
to Jefferson County, settling in Buchanan Town- 
ship. Many years passed, during wiiich tiiey gained 
a lar^'e circle of friends, but at length they severed 
their relations with the citizens of this community, 
rind in 1882 became residents of Jasper County, 
Mo., where the father is still living. The jnother 
died at her home in that county on the 4th of 
April, 1890. Their family consisted of four sons 
and one daughter — Emeline, wife of W. R. Nevin, 
of Jasper Count}'. Mo.; Slmi)son J., of this sketch; 
Dr. Vandiver L. married OUie Green and is living 
III (ireat Bend. Kan.; Oliver F. married Emma 
Collins, of Jefferson County-, and now makes his 
home in Kansas C'it^-, Mo.; Robert N. married Ella 
M. Ayersman, of Wayne County, Iowa,and is liv- 
ing in Jasper County, Mo. 

The d.iys of his boyhood and 3'outh our subject 
spent upon bis father's farm, and his early educa- 
tion, acquired in the common schools, was supple- 
mented by a course in the seminary at Fairfield. 
On the 12tli of August, 1862, he responded to the 
country's call for troops, and enlisting in Company 
G. of the Thirtieth Iowa Infantry, marched to the 
front. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant, 
and on the 1th of August, 1863, while at home on 
a furlough granted him on account of wounds re- 
ceived, he was promoted to the rank of First Lieu- 
tenant. Ill health, brought on b}' his injuries, 
caused him of necessity to resign in April, 1864, 
but the time which he served he p.articipated in 
many important battles, including the engagements 
at Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post, Jackson, 
Miss., the charge against Vicksburg, the battles at 
Cherokee Station, Lookout Mountain, Missionary 
. Ridge and Ringgold. He was wounded during the 
charge on A'icksburg, on the 22<1 of May, 1863, 
in the left lung, the ball passing through and 
lodging just beneath the skin in the back. After 
returning home he improved to some extent 
in health until about 1868, when the effect of his 
wound caui-ed a serious illness, accompanied by 
great suffering for years, but at present writing he 
is enjoying comparatively fair health. 

Mr. Chester made farming the pursuit of his 
mature years until 1871, when he came to Fair- 
field, and later embarked in the grocery business. 



continuing the same until the autumn of 1879, 
when he was elected .Sheriff of Jefferson County. 
He entered upon the duties of his ofllce January 
1,1880, was re-elected in the fall of 1881. and 
served until January 1, 1884, when he declined a 
further renomination. He made a good record as 
the books in the office show. The following is a 
brief account of the labors he performed during 
bis four years of service. In that period he had 
two hundred and sixty persons confined in the Jef- 
ferson County Jail, in his care. Of these, he took 
thirty-five to the asylum for insane at Mt. Pleas- 
ant and returned nearly as many more. He brought 
six persons on requisition from other States, two 
from Ohio, two from Illinois, one from Minnesota 
and one from Missouri. He took thirty-two con- 
victs to the States prison; of that number not one 
escaped, and of the many arrested but one es- 
caped from his custody, and he was recaptured. 
Man}- other items of interest might be given if 
space permitted, but, in closing the official record of 
Capt. Chester, we can saj', knowing that all nearly ■ 
interested agree in the same, that no Sheriff of Jef- 
ferson County hiis been more popular, nor have the 
duties of the office been performed in a more 
satisfactory and capable manner. In politics the 
Captain is an uncompromising Republican and 
uses his influence for the support of that party 
which he believes will bring the greatest good to 
the greatest number. He is an honored member of 
Clinton Lodge No. 15, A. F. & A. M.; of the 
Chapter, R. A. M.; and of Jerusalem Command- 
ery, K. T. He also belongs to George Srong 
Post. G. A. R. Serving for six years as a member 
of the Fairfield School Board, during four of which 
he filled the position of President, he has done much 
for the advancement of the city schools and the 
cause of education eliciting his warmest sympathy, 
has found in him a stanch friend. He was appointed 
Postmaster of Fairfield June 23, 1890, and entered 
upon the discharge of the duties of that office July 
11. 

Capt. Chester w.as mairied September 22, 1864, 
in Jefferson County, to ^liss Olive E. Hendricks, 
a daughter of James H. Hendricks. By their union 
there have been born one son and three daugh- 
ters — Flora E., Mildred J., Daisy E/ and Fr.ank 



PORTliAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



29') 



M. The death of the mother occurred July 13, 
1878, and C'apt. Chester was again married Decem- 
ber 4, 1879, to Miss Kliizabeth McKeruey, a native 
of Fairfield, and a daughter of J. A. McKiincy. 
Tlie Captain has recently bought a homestead near 
the business center of Kairlield, which he has re- 
modeled and titled up at considerable expense, and 
now has one of the finest residences in the city. 
He enjoys in a marked degree the warm regard of 
a wide circle of friends, who have known him for 
many years and esteem him as an upright, honor- 
able man, a gallant soldier, an edicient and faith- 
ful civil otlicer, and a neighbor and friend on 
whom all, with confidence, can rely. 



<(| lyiLLIAM ALSTON, a retired fai-mer resid- 
/' inff in Fairfield, was born in Lancaster- 




^^ shire, England, September 29, 18! 1. anil 
is a son of William and Elizabeth (Hayes) Alston. 
both of whom were natives of the same county, the 
father fiorn in 1778, the mother in 177(1. William 
Alston. Sr., was a cabinet maker by trade but m.'ide 
farming his chief occupation. He once came to 
America and for a short time remained in St. 
Louis, Mo., but not liking the country he returned 
to his native land, where he spent the remainder 
of his days. Both he and his wife died at the age 
of eighty-seven years. In their family were ten 
children, four sons and six d.aughters, but with the 
exception of our subject only one is living in the 
United States — Tohn, a retired farmer of Illinois. 
Edward came to this country and spent some lime 
in California but returned to England. 

William Alston, whose name heads this sketch, 
is a self -made man. As soon as he was old enough 
he began earning his own living and in consequence 
his educational advantages were quite limited. At 
the age of fifteen 3"ears, his father sent him to Liv- 
erpool to work for a month at the joiner's trade to 
see how he would like the business, that being the 
custom in those days, but not linding it to his taste 
he returned to the farm. By chance a pamiihlct 



fell into his hands which was sent to England by a 
Mr. Flowers, who had come to America and located 
in Edwards County, 111. This publication, like all 
others of its kind, told how easily one could make 
a l\)rtune in this country, and with the hope of 
bettering his condition and ra[)ii||y acquiring 
wealth, in 1837 .Mr, Alston set sail for the United 
.States. On arriving in Edwards County, he found 
that one conUl get the chills much easier than a 
dollar. The following j-ear he came to Iowa, lo- 
cating in Xixu r.uien County, and after engaging 
in the grocery business in Lexington for about a 
j'ear, he once more changed his place of residence 
and settled in Fairfield in June of 1840, however, 
continuing operations in the same line of business. 
Soon afterward iie made his first purchase in real 
estate. Buying a claim, he carriejl on farming in 
connection with his grocery, and as opportunity 
ofiered he would buy a land warra.it, locale it and 
hold for an advance in prices. Trac- after tract he 
added to the original amount until he at length 
owneil some three thousand acres in this and sur- 
rouniling countif?, relaiuing still in his possession 
seven hundred and forty acres. Since 1858 he has 
devoted himself exclusively to farming and stock- 
raising and has met with excellent success. Al- 
though he found that a fortune could not be 
acquiied merely by coming to this country, he saw 
that one of industrious .lud energetic habits could 
make for himself acomforlable homo, as land could 
Ik- obtained from the Government at a nominal 
price. 

On Christmas Day of 1843. Mr. Alston was 
united in marriage with Miss Ruth ^'ouhn, who 
died in November, 18G3. Ten children were born 
unto them, four of whom were living at the time 
of her death, but only three are now living; Will- 
iam E,, a farmer of this count}'; Mary, wife of 
Henry Vote, and Henry C, who is also engageil in 
farming. In October, 18G5, Mr. Alston was again 
married, his second union being with Mrs. Jane 
Wiley nee Stewart, a native of Pennsylvania. She 
survived her marriage only seven years, dying in 
1872. 

In political sentiment, Mr. Alston was formerly 
a Whig and since the dissolution of that party has 
voted with the Democr.acj'. He has never sought 



296 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALHUM. 



or desired office, but through the solicitation of 
friends twice served in the City Council. He ranks 
amonij the wortliy citizons and loading men of the 
community, whero for fifty years be has made his 
home, witnessing the man}' great changes which 
have taken place in the county and parlioipaling 
in its growth and development. Although living 
the quiet and unostentatious life of a farmer, he has 
steadily worked his way upward to a position of 
affluence and by his upright life has won the confi- 
dence and esteem of his fellow-citizens. 




I BRAM SCHWARTZ, of Lilwrtyville, is 
numbered among the pioneers of Jefferson 

* County. Few men in the community are 
more widely known, and it is with pleasure 
that we record in this volume a sketch of his life 
work. His paternal grandparents and his niatern,Tl 
great-grandparents, as history records, came from 
Germany and settled in Pennsylvania, and the lat- 
ter were sold to p.ay their passage across the ocean. 
Ills parents," Christopher and Catherine (Oraer) 
Schwartz were both natives of Lancaster County, 
Pa., but in youth emigrated with their respective 
families to Kentucky, where they were married and 
began their domestic life. Subsequently, about 
IHl.'J, thej- removed to Clark County, Ind. The 
father was a carpenter by trade, a life-long Demo- 
crat and a member of the Methodist Church, to 
which his wife also belonged. She died at the age 
of fifty years and Mr. Schwartz reached the age of 
seyentj'-three. 

Of the family of twelve children born to this 
worthy couple, our subject was the third in order 
of birth and tlie only one now living. He was born 
in Jefferson County, Ky., within two miles of Louis- 
ville, October IG, 1803, and was about ton years of 
age when the family removed to Indiana. As they 
located in a new settlement, little opportunity was 
afforded hini for securing an education and his 
scholastic Iraiiiliig was very rae.agre. In boyhood 



he learned the lessons of industry and enterprise, 
which have clung to him through life and have 
crowned his efforts with success. On the ICth of 
April, 18-28, ho wedded Klizabcth A. Pralher, who 
w.as liorn in Clark County, Ind.. September 19, 
1810. a daughter of Lloy<l and Nancy (Redman) 
Pratlier, who were natives of North Carolina and 
Maryland, respectively. Her mother was a sister of 
Reason Redman, who is said to have been the first 
white child born in Iowa. Mr. Prather was of 
Scotch extraction and his wife of German descent. 
He served under Harrison in the battle of Tippeca- 
noe, and both he and Mrs. Prather died at an ad- 
vanced age near Baldwin City, Kan. 

After his marriage, Mr. Schwartz settled on a 
farm in (lark County, Ind., where he remained un- 
til 1842, in which year he cast his lot with the 
pioneer settlers of Jefferson County. Iowa, lie 
purchased a claim in what is now Liberty Township 
which he subsequentl}' entered, an<i by hard work 
and good management increased the boundaries of 
his farm until it contained three hundred acres of 
which lie retains two hundred and ten acres, liighlj' 
cultivated and finely improved, lie and his estim- 
able wife began life on the Western frontier in true 
pioneer style. Their home was a log cabin, their 
conveniences were few and many of the comforts 
of to-day were almost unknown luxuries, but the 
grandeur of the broad prairies and the sociability 
of their neighbors compensated for the more com- 
fortable home which tliey had left in Indiana. Al- 
though many hardships were to be endured and 
obstacles to be overcome, they labored on un- 
daunted by such difficulties and their efforts have 
been rewarded wiili a liberal competence. Although 
both JNIr. and Mrs. Schwartz are now more than 
four-score years, they retain their health and facul- 
ties to a remarkable degree and have not yet iiacl 
to call in assistance in performing their daily la- 
bors. In religious faith, this worthy couple are 
Diinkards, and their earnest, consistent Christian 
lives have won them fiionds without number. 
Three ballots Mr. Schwartz cast for Gen. Jackson, 
and since that time has never wavered in his alleg- 
iance to the Democratic party. 

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Schwartz lias been 
truly blessed, only one of their nine c'liiidicn having 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



297 



been called away. Susan, the eldest, is now the 
widow of .lames Jenkins, of Osceola, Clarke County, 
Iowa; William IL. the next younger, is a farmer of 
J.iberty Townsliip; Nancy C. is tht wife of Jesse 
Gilliland, of Ringgold Connt3-, Iowa; Ann M. 
wedded Henry Glenn and now resides in Montana; 
Mary E. is the wife of Hugh Lauphlin. of Missouri ; 
Eliza R. married Adam Rodahaugh. a resident of 
Liberty Township; Irene married Joseph Smith, of 
Harrison County, Iowa; Cerelda C. is the wife of 
Stewart Lauglilin and the youngest of the family. 
The children all have comfortable homes and are 
respected citizens in the various communities in 
which they reside. 

Mr. Schwartz has made farming his chief occu- 
pation throughout life, though in early manhood 
he learned the butcher's trade at which he worked 
several j'cars. Side Ijy side, as man and wife, he 
and Mrs. Schwartz have traveled life's journey for 
sixty two j-ears, and almost half a century has been 
spent bj' them in Jefferson County, where they 
have won not only material success, but what is far 
better, many friends and a name without reproach. 




AMUEL SALTS, who is engaged in farm- 
ing and stock-raising on section 13, Locust 
Grove Township, Jefferson County, is a 
native of Warren County. Ind. In a fam- 
ily of twelve children born unto John and .lane 
(Stephenson) Salts, he is the elilcst and his birth 
occurred in 1844. His fatiier is a native of Ohio, 
but when a lad of ten years, in 1832, removed to 
Indiana and in Warren County was married. Both 
he and his wife are still living in that count}-, be- 
ing numbered among its highly respected citizens. 
The paternal grandparents of our subject were 
John and Elizabeth (Barby) Salts, natives of Vir- 
ginia and South Carolina, respectively. His ma- 
ternal grandparents were John and Barbara (Bal- 
lard) Stephenson, and both grandfathers servecl in 
the War of 1812. 

The early life of our subject passed uneventfully. 



He Was reared in the usual manner of farmer lads 
and acquire<l his education in the schools of his 
native county. When he had attained a sufficient 
age he enlisted in tiie service of his country, be- 
coming a member of Company K. One Hundred 
and Tliirly-fiftli Indiana Infantry, lie wa.s mus- 
tered into service in 1H(;4 in Indianapolis, was as- 
signed to the Army of the Cumberland and in his 
One Hundred Days' service was engaged in garri- 
son duty. He was honorably discharged after six 
months and returned to Warren Count}', Ind., 
where he remained until the year of his removal to 
Jefferson County, Iowa — 1868. Settling in Locust 
Grove Township, he purchiised an eigbteen-acre 
tract of timber land, which he at once began to 
clear and develop. He is now the owner of a 
good farm of eighty-five .acres under fence, the 
greater part of which is highly cultivated, while the 
remainder is devoted to pasturage. Many excel- 
lent improvements greatly enliance the value of his 
farm as well as give evidence of the thrift and en- 
terprise of the owner. 

In 1871, in Jefferson County. Mr. Salts was 
united in marriage with Miss Rhoda Fisher, who 
was born in this county and is a daughter of George 
and Mary (Cloke) Fisher. Her father w.as a native 
of Pennsylvania but emigrated to Indiana, where 
he was married, and thence removed to Jefferson 
County. Iowa, in 183G. At that time there were 
five Indians to every while man in the county, deer 
and other kimls of wild game was plentiful, and 
wolves were still numerous in the neighborhood. 
Mr. Fisher made a claim in l)es Moines Townsliip, 
where he continued to reside until 1865, when he 
located in Locust (Jrove Township. There he re- 
mained until his death, which occurred in 1876. 
He had served in tlie Black Hawk War. had as- 
sisted in organizing tiic county and was a promi- 
nent man in the community. His wife died many 
years previous to the death of her husband. 

Mr. Salts, for a number of years after his marriage, 
resiik'd in Fairlicld Township, but for tlie last nine- 
teen years has made his home in Locust Grove 
Township. He has taken quite an active part in 
public affairs and has ever identified himself with 
the best interests of the community. He is now serv- 
ing as President of the Township Board of Trustees, 



2!) 8 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



of which he has been a member three years; he was 
the enumerator for Locust Grove 'i'ownsliipin 1890, 
aiul has frequcntli' been sent as a delegate to the 
county coiiventitiiis of the Republican party, of 
which he is a stalwnrl advocate. lie helped to 
nominate Gov. (iiar and is an influential member 
of the conventions. Socially, Mr. Salts is a mem- 
ber of George Strong Post, No. 19, G. A. R.. and 
was ap|)(iinted Aid-dc-camp on Gen. Tuttle's staff. 
Mis wife is a member of the Baptist Church of 
Brookville. Two cliildren have been born unto 
Mr. and Mrs. Salts — John and Samuel G., who are 
yet urider the parental roof. 



mr- 




, ON. ISAAC 1). .lONES, senior member of 
the law firm of Jones it Fullen, of Fairfield, 
is a pioneer of Jefferson County, of LS^o. 
A native of Johnson County, Iiid., lie was 
born near the town of Franklin, on the 9th of 
April, 18;i2, and is a son of William C. and Per- 
melia A. (Vaughan) Jones, who were natives of 
North Carolina and X'irginia, res|)ectively. The 
sketch of the father appears elsewhere in this work. 
Our subject attended the public schools of his 
native town until March, 181.'), when, at the ao-e of 
thirteen years, he accompanied his parents on their 
emigration to Jefferson County, Iowa, lie iiere 
pursued his studies, .is opportunity afforded, and 
iji 1H51 was employed as clerk in the ollice of the 
County Recorder, continuing to serve in that posi- 
tion for three years. He then spent three or foui- 
years in Norlliern Missouri, traveling and specula- 
ting, and after his return to Fairfield, in 1858, gave 
his attention to the study of law, being admitted to 
the bar in 1800, since which time he li.as been con- 
stantly engaged in practice in Fairfield. Durintr a 
|)ortion of Andrew Johnson's administration he 
held the ollice of Postmaster at Fairfield, but the 
greater part of his time has been devoted exclu- 
sively to the profession which he has made his life 
work. In 1870 he formed a partnership with \\ . 
B. Culbertson, now a prominent criminal lawyerof 



Burlington, Iowa, and the connection continued 
until 1882, when Mr. Culbertson removed to his 
present home. Their career, covering a continu- 
ous period of twelve years, was a prosperous one. 
For a year and a half Mr. .lones continued alone in 
business, when in December, 1883. he formed the 
existing partnership with Charles D. Fullen. 

The marriage of Mr. Jones and Miss Rachel E. 
I Young was celebrated in Jefferson County, on the 
I 1 1th of December, 1856, the lady being a daughter 
of Joseph and Mary Young. She was horn in 
Johnson County, Ind., and came to Jefferson 
County, Iowa, with her parents, both of whom are 
now deceased. By their union has been born a 
family of live children, one son and four daugh- 
ters, as follows: Anna, who became the wife of 
Fred Moore, of Jewell, Hamilton County, Iowa; 
Kate M., who is a teacher in the Fairfield ■city 
schools of nine years experience; Elizabeth II.. who 
is also a teacher in the Fairfield schools; and Effie 
JI.. who has been engaged in teaching but is now a 
student in a business college in Burlington. The 
(laughters wore all edneated in the State Normal 
School of Cedar Falls, and are ladies of culture and 
more than average intelligence, being well fitted for 
the positions which they hold. Frank H., the only 
.son, is now fifteen years of age and a student in the 
city schools. 

In politics, Mr. Jones is a Democrat, but has 
never indulged in political aspirations. He was 
elected Mayor of Fairfield in 1874, at a non-partisan 
election, and was once a candidate for the Legisla- 
Iriture, running in opposition to II. B. Mitchell, a 
po|)ular Republican, but was defeated in conse- 
quence of his party being in the minority. So- 
ci:illy, he is a member of Jefferson Lodge, No. 4, 
I O. O. F., and Mrs. Jones is a member of the 
Presbyterian Church, as are also her daughters. 
For the past fifteen years Mr. Jones has owned a 
fine farm of eighty-five acres situated a half-mile 
south of the city, where with his family he has re- 
sided during that period. Its close proximity to 
Fairfield furnishes him with all the conveniences 
and luxuries of city life, combined with the pure 
air and freedom of the country. As a practitioner, 
he ranks among the best, being numbered among 
the most successful members of the Jefferson 






PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



299 



Count}' bar, whore he lias now been constantly en- 
gaged in the proseculion of his profession for thirty 
years. He is also one of the most hifjlil\' respected 
citizens of the county. 



i 



« WILLIAM WALLACE JUNIvIN. editor and 
\/\l/l s^'"'<"' l""opriet(ir of the Fairfield Ledger, 
W^J '* '■'^'^ oldest editor in continual service in 
Iowa. lie is also a pioneer of this State of 1843. 
lie was born in Wheeling, W. Va., on the 26th of 
January, 1S31, and is a son of Joseph and Sarah 
(Rainbo) Junkin. His father, a native of Penn- 
sylvania, was born October 20. 1788, and his 
mother was born in the same State on the 3d of 
June, 171)0. They were married December "20, 
1808. and their family consisted of six sons and 
live daughters — David Finley, who was born Feb- 
ruary 12, 1810. married Harriet Walker, Novem- 
ber 13, 1831, and died September 8, 1814; Eleanor, 
born September 24, 1811. was the wife of James 
(iibson anil died in 1848; Joseph, born May 2, 
1813, died August 1 4 of the following year; Jo- 
seph, the second of that name, who was born Feb- 
ruary 10, 1815, wedded Mar}' M. Cotton, on the 
8tli of November. 183(j, and is now a resident of 
Red Oak. Iowa; Nancj- Galloway married Robert 
S. Hunter, May 3, 1836, and is living in Newcastle, 
Pa.; John George, born February 19, 1819, died 
October 19, 1837; Sarah Margaret, born June 
IG, 1821, became the wife of George W. Clutter, 
who served as a Captain in the Mexican War and 
died July 10, 1857, after which his widow, on the 
21st of September. 1865, became the wife of the 
Rev. Frederick A. Shearer, and is now living in 
Colfax, Iowa; Mary B. F., born February 24, 
1824. died June 18, 1833; Narcissa Doddridge 
was born April 2, 1826. and on the 1st of .March, 
1849, became the wife of James Shriver Beck, of 
Fairfield, Iowa; Matthew Johnson, who was born 
May 16, 1829. and died in Fairfield a few years 
ago, was nnarried March 15, 1855, to Ellen E. 
Moorman, who died in 1869; William Wallace 



completes the family. The fatl.er died July 22, 
18,)7. and the mother on the 17th of April, 1865, 
both in Fairlield. 

The subject of this sketch came to Iowa with 
his parents in the spring of 1813, the f;imily lo- 
cating in Lee County, but the following year they 
removed to Louisa Count}-, and in 1845 settled 
in Jefferson County. Tivo years later they took 
up their residence in Fairfield. William Wallace 
received his first lessf)ns in his present business as 
a type-setter in tlie oflieo of the Wheeling (^^'l.) 
yl/•gr(^s•,when only ten years of age, and on locating in 
Fairlield in the fall of 1817, he commenced an a|)- 
prenticcship in the ollice of the Iowa Sentinel, 
which had been est.'iblished in Fairfield bj' A. R. 
Sparks that year. In the summer of 1848 Mr. 
Sparks sold the paper to Ezra Brown and 11. B. 
Pope, which threw young Junkin out of employ- 
ment, but his former employer kindly secured him 
a situation in Des Moines with Col. Barlow G ranger, 
and he aided in issuing the first number of the 
Sirir in June, 1848, the first paper printed in the 
Capital City. After remaining in Des Moines 
several months he returned to Fairfield. During 
the winter of 1848-49 he w.as employed in the 
otlice of the Ottunuva Courier, which was published 
by Street & Warden, and in November, 1849, he ac- 
cepted a position as compositor in the office of the 
Fairfield Ledger, which onl}- a short time previous 
had been established by Orlando McCraney. He 
continued with that gentleman until the spring 
of 1851, when he went to Richmond, Ya., where 
he was employed two years in the State printing- 
odiee. On tlie Uith of May, 1853, he returned to 
Fairfield, and ten days later he purchased a half- 
interest in till' Ledger of its pr()i)rietor, A. R. Ful- 
ton, for $460, and commenced the newspaiier 
business and the battle of life in earnest. That 
connection was continued until August 14, 1854, 
when Mr. Junkin became sole proprietor. The 
paper continued to prosper and made friends 
among the best people in Jefferson and adjoin- 
ing counties, and its proprietor improved it .as 
his increased means permitted. On the 8tli of Au- 
gust, 1868, he formed a partnership with Ralph 
Robinson, rtcciving §2,500 for one-half interest 
in the ollice. and the connection was continued 



300 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRArillCAL ALBUM. 



pleasantly nnd profitably until January 5, 1875, 
wlipii Mr. Hol)Mison retired, recfiving «!4.500 for 
his share in the business, jjower presses and other 
improvements having enhanced the value of the 
olllec to >!'.),000. On the retirement of Mr. Rob- 
inson, the eldest son of our subject. Charles M. 
•lunldn, became eo manager, bringing with hiin 
into the business not only the experience lie lia.l 
acquired under the careful direction of his father, 
but the knowledge gained while in the Government 
printing ollice in Washington City. On the 2(;th 
of May, I87S. he was admitted to partnership with 
his father, and tlie existing lirm of W. \V. and 
C. M. Junkin was established. The Lodner has 
continued a favorite among the pople and has 
never (lagged in its earnest advocacy of the best 
and wisest course in .'ill public matters, politica' 
and otherwise, and has prospered .accord ingly. 

On the llih of September, 1854, William Wal- 
lace Junkin and Miss Elizabeth Patrick, daughter 
of William and Amy (Morris) Patrick, were united 
in the holy bonds of matrimony. Tiie lady is a 
native of Ross County, Ohio, and came to Fair- 
field with her father in 1847. Eight children, 
four sons and four daughters, have been born of 
their union — Charles Monroe, the eldest, who was 
born in Fairfield, May 18, 1855, is represented 
elsewhere in this volume; May, born August 19, 
1856, became the wife "f Nathaniel McGiffin, 
May 16, 1877. and is now living in Montana; 
Gertrude, born September 7, 1858, was married 
January 3, 1878, to W. W. McCrackin, president 
of The .Silver I5ow National I'.ank.of lUilte, Mont.; 
\'irginia, twin sister of tlerlrude. is the wife of 
J. B. Swinburne, editor of the Iluinlioldt Kosmus, 
of Humboldt, Iowa; Amy, who was born Febru- 
ary 5, 1802. is the wife of the Rev. J. F. Iliukhouse, 
of Lenox, Taylor (.'oiiiily, Iowa; William David, 
born April l.'f, 1864. is a clerk in the railway mail 
service: Paul .Sheiidan, born August 12, 1867, is 
a practical jirinler, and until recently was em- 
ployed in the Jjfihjcr oHice; Robert Tiqiper. Ixirn 
.lune 23. 1871, is at lending school. 

.Mr. Junkin is a Republican in politics and an 
active and inlluential supporter of that parly. 
His acquaintance throughout the State and nation 
is extensive, and his influence in political circles 



is widely felt. The Ledger, \xn(\er his able man- 
agement, has become one of llie leading papers of 
State, and is always reliable in its devotion to the 
interests of the Republican party. On the 22d 
of April, 1889, Mr. Junkin was appointed Insi)ec- 
tor of Indian agencies under the administration of 
President Benjamin Harrison, being one of five 
emi>lojed In that department of the public serv- 
ice. The jiosition is one of great responsibility 
and trust, and from the nature of the duties in- 
volved reflects credit upon those selected for the 
oliice. While activ^ely connected with the cam- 
paign work of his party, Mr. Junkins never con- 
sented to be a candidate for office as his ne.vspaper 
business occupied his time and demanded his at- 
tention until his son had become sufficiently ex- 
perienced to assume its management. All wortlij' 
public enterprises enlist bis sympatliy and support. 
He was especially active in aiding in the construction 
of the new Methodist Episcopal Clnircli, and was 
the recognized financial leader and manager of 
that important undertaking. His liberality in that 
direction as well .as in the support of the public 
library and encouragement of railwaj' construc- 
tion and other enterprises calculated to benefit his 
city and count3-, has always been in excess of his 
means. As a journalist, Mr. Junkin lakes rank 
among the foremost men in Iowa, and as a citizen 
he commands and enjoys the unqualified respect 
and esteem of a witle circle of acquaintances and 
friends. 



-E^ 



^OHN GEORGE BURKMART, a farmer and 
stoekraiser of Locust Grove Township, re- 
siding on section 25, came to Jefferson 
County in 1857, and therefore ranks among 
her early settlers. He was Ijoni in New York 
City in 1834, being the third in a family of six 
chilibcii born of the union of J. G. Burkhart 
and Rosina E. Miller. His father was a New 
York farmer and spent his entire life in that State, 
.as did also his mother. 

Our subject was reared to manhood in New 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



301 



York, remaining unrler liie parental roof until liis 
removal to tiie West, and was educated in the 
schools of his native county. In IHTiT, while still 
single, he hade good-by to his old home and cast 
his lot with the early settlers of Iowa. lie has 
never had occasion to regret the step then taken, 
for in this western country he has |)rospcrcd fin- 
ancially, and has formed many warm friendships 
which bind him closely to the couiiuunity. For 
twenty years after his arrival in Iowa he was en- 
gaged as a l)ridge builder in the employ of the 
Chicago, Burlington it- (Juincy Railroad Company, 
working mostly between Omaha and Burlington. 
In tiie latter city and in Fairfield he made his 
home during that time. His long service with one 
company indicates his faithfulness to duty and the 
efficiency displayed in work, also the trust re- 
posed in him by his employers. He is worth}- of 
their regard, for every task was conscientiously 
performed and would bear the closest inspection. 

In 1861. in Jefferson County, Mr. Burkhart was 
united in marriage with Miss Rhoda 51. Black, a 
native of Ohio and daughter of Moses and Nancy 
(Glasgow) Black, whose birthplaces were also in 
the Buckeye State, whence they removed to this 
county in 1844, locating in Des Moines Township. 
Her father served as the first County .ludge of .Jef- 
ferson County, and was an intUiential and honored 
citizen. His death occurred in 18()8, but his wife 
survived until 1H82. 

Mr. and Mrs. Burkhart began their domestic life 
in Fairfield, but afterward removed to Burlington. 
In 1875 he purchased an improved farm of one liun- 
dred and sixty acres, but continued with the rail- 
road company for some time longc r. It was not 
until 1870 that he gave his entire attention to 
agricultural pursuits, but in that year he removed 
to his present home on section 25, Locust Grove 
Township, where he owns a good farm. The 
original boundaiy has been extended initil it em- 
braces two hundred and seventy-sir acres, all of 
which is under a high state of cultivation and 
greatly improved. A man of energy- and indomi- 
table will, Mr. lUirkhart accomplishes everything 
he undertakes if the end can be reached bj- hon- 
orable means. He is a valued citizen of the com- 
munity and takes an active interest in everything 



for the upbuilding of town and county. He has 
served on the School Board in his home district, 
has labored for the interests of education and 
provided his children with good advantages. He 
served as a bridge contractor for .Jefferson County 
for some nine years. In his political affiliations 
he is a Republican and one who in a quiet way, 
without seeking preferment for himself, labors for 
the success and welfare of his part}-. Both he and 
his wife are members of the Baptist Church, of 
Fairfield, and in the social world are held in high 
regard. 

Six children were born to Mr. and .Mrs. Burk- 
hart, but two of the number are deceased — Katie 
F,., who died at the age of five y^ears; and Jloses 
T. F., who died wheji three months old. The 
living are: William G., who is married and re- 
sides in Locust Grove Township; Anna M. at 
hotne; and Benjamin and Joseph, who are yet with 
tlicir parents. 

- — -m^ 



ylLLIAM C. JONES, one of the honored 
pioneers of Jefferson County, came to 
^ _, Iowa during its Territorial days, having 
since 1845 been identified with the history of Jef- 
ferson and Van Buren Counties. From his earliest 
residence in this communit}- he was recognized as 
one of the leading spirits. A friend to all wortliy 
enterprises he gave liberally in support of public 
interests calculated to benefit the community, and 
was especially earnest in his efforts to advance the 
cause of education. 

M r. Jones was born in Surrey, N. C, July 0, 1 80!), 
and is a son of Horatio Jones. The American branch 
of the family was founded in Maryland, and was 
of Welsh origin. When i lad of six years, Mr. 
Jones accompanied his parents, who removed to 
Southwestern ^'irginia. where he grew to manhood, 
and on the 20th of February, 1831. was united in 
marriage with Perinelia A. X'aughan, who was de- 
scended from an early Virginian family of English 
origin, her jjareiits being William K. and Elizabeth 
Vaugban. In December of the same year, accom- 



:lo-.' 



i'(>Kri;\ri- and i'.iockapiiical album. 



paiiifd hy liis young l>ri<le. Mr. .icnics ciiii^zraU-iI 
U> Jiiliiison Coiinly, Iiui., where lie devoted his 
energies to ngiicultural pursuits. lie also became 
one of the prominent citizens of that eomnuinity, 
and served in many ollicial capacities, holdlnj); the 
oflices of County Assessor, County Commissioner, 
Collector, Sheriff, and United States Census Taker 
of that county in 1S4(I. Once more he determined 
to (;ast his lot with the pioneer settlement, and 
carrying out his resolution, arrived in Jefferson 
County on the 31st of March, 1845. Locating in 
(CdMr Townsliip, he entered government land, and 
subsocpienlly entered and sold various tracts in 
that eomniunity. He made his home in Cedar 
Tortiiship until 1851, when he removed to a farm 
near Fairfield, and in 1864 took up his residence 
in Hound Trairie 'rownship. Three years later he 
aliandoned farm life, and removing to tlie village 
(if Winchester, in Van Buren County, ho embarked 
in tlie mercantile business, which he continued un- 
til I.S7G. Changing his place of residence from 
Winchester to Ualrtield in that 3-ear, he then retired 
from active business life, and has spent the suc- 
ceeding years in tiie enjoyment of the fruits of his 
former toil. 

.Mr. .lones lost ills wife by death in 1S89, she 
passing aw.ay on the 18th of October of that year. 
Their family numbered six children, five sons and 
a daughter, all born in Johnson Count}', Ind. 
Isaac D. married Miss Kachel E. Young, who was 
also a native of Johnson County; he is now en- 
gaged in the practice of law. William II. married 
Miss Rachel E. Jones, a distant relative, and for a 
time engaged in farming, after which he engaged 
in the di ug business until his death, in September, 
1882; Cornelius A. married Emeline E. Young, and 
is now a resident of Fairfield, where he has carried 
on the drug business since 1867 ; Martin ^'an Buren, 
who wedded .Miranda V. Johnson, served in the 
Twenty-sixth Jlissouri Infantry until severely 
wounded at the battle of Champion Hills, Miss., 
after which he returned home and died in April, 
1881; Dr. Wiley A., a practicing physician of 
Cantril, \':in Uuren Count}-, wedded Allhea Miller. 
Elizabeth li. died in 1864, unmarried; she w.as the 
youngest of the famil}-. 

In 1850 Mr. Jones was elected .School I'und 



Commissioner, which ullice he held for two terms, 
and was United .States Census Taker of the east 
half of the county in 1860. As before stated, he 
has labored for the interests of the county in which 
he has long made h's home, and by concentrated 
effort, supplemented by good judgment, has borne 
no inconsiderable part in the great ))rogress which 
has taken place duiing the |)ast forty-five years. 
In his business affairs he was also successful, and 
by his upright dealing and courteous treatment to 
all, -won a liberal patronage and secured the confi- 
dence of all with whom he came in contact. In 
political sentiment he is a conservative Democrat. 
He has made the political history of his country a 
stud}-, and is also well versed in current events. 
He possesses a retentive memory, and has stored 
up a fund of useful knowledge, which at once 
makes him an instructive and entertaining conver- 
sationalist. In his religious associations he is a 
member of the Christian Cliurch. to .■ Inch his wife 
also belonged. Mr. Jones has now reached the 
advanced age of eightj'one years. His life has 
been well and w-orlhily spent, and he is highly re- 
spected and widely known, especially among the 
older settlers of the county. 




ENJAMIX D. FIERCE, an honored citizen 
of Fairfield, has been a resident of Iowa for 
a half century. He is now an old man of 
eighty-six years. He has witnessed three of 
the four wars in which our country has been en- 
gaged, has seen the introduction of the many won- 
derful inventions which characterize this era in the 
world's history, and has watched the steady pro- 
gress of civilization constantly marching westward. 
His birth-place was (jrayson County, \'a., his boy- 
hood days were spent in Ohio, he passed his early 
manhood years in Wayne County, Ind., and for 
half a century he has resided in Iowa. 

The Pierce family to which our subject belongs 
was foundeil in America during the seventeenth 
century by his paternal grandfather, George Pierce, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



303 



wlio, ac'Con)[):iiiU'(l liy Uirce brothers, emigriilt'd 
from Kiishiiid in the colony with William I'cnn, 
au<l settled in Pliiladelpliia. All were followers of 
ihe same faith as their leader, and to a srreat e.vtent 
their desct'ndants have embraced the doctrine of 
the Society- of Friends. The grandfather of Jlr. 
Pierce was married in tiiis country, and settled in 
Chester County. Pa., where, on the "iSth of February, 
175,"}, was born (Tainer Pierce, the father of oui' 
subject. On .attaining man's estate he wedded 
Ruth Davies, who was born August o, 1763, in 
Chester County, and was of Welsh descent. They 
began their domestic life in the Keystone State, 
i)ut afterward removed to Grayson County. Va., 
anil in 1809 became residents of Miami County, 
( )liio. where they spent the remainder of their lives. 
For a liveliiiood 'Sir. Pierce followed the wagon- 
maker's trade. lie lived the quiet and un.assuming 
life common to the people of his religious faitii, 
and died in Ohio, October 23. 1821. Ilis wife 
afterward married Benjamin Iddings, and died in 
March, IS 10. 

Our subject, who was born on the 25tii of Sep- 
tember, 1S04, was the youngest of seven children, 
five sons and two daughters, and is the only sur- 
viving one. He received lint little opportunity for 
securing an eilucation, but in the district schools 
managed to g.iin a fair knowledge of the three R's. 
W^hfu about fifteen years of age he learned the 
carpenter and cabinet maker's trade, at which he 
worked until his marriage, which occurred in Mi- 
ami County, Ohio, August 30, 1827, the lady of 
his choice being Rachel Coppock, who was born in 
Miunii County. Ohio, October 8, 1809. Removing 
to Indiana, they made thei'' home in Wayne County 
until 1841, when they became residents of Henry 
County, Iowa, where Mi'. Pierce purch.-ised al)out 
one thousand acres of land, on which he made 
many and imjiortant improvements. From Henry 
County he removed to Newton. Jasper County, 
where he was residing during the exciting times 
which preceded the Lite war. When the question 
of the abolition of slavery came up afresh, he took 
a decided stand with the Abolitionists, and made 
public addresses in some forty counties of Iowa, 
m.iny times at tlie |)eril of his life. He also took 
an active [larl in assisting negroes on their way to 



freedom by means of the celebr;\led Underground 
Railro.id. Then being off the direct line, he re- 
moved to Fairfield in order that he might better 
assist in'that work.|2]Mr. Pierce cast his first Presi- 
dential vote for;IIenry Cliiy, and continued to sup- 
jiort the Whig party until its dissolution, since 
which time he has voted with the Republican 
party. 

For nearly sixty-three 3'ears"Mr. and .Mrs. Pierce 
traveled life's journey together as man and wife, 
but the ties of^this earth were broken, and on the 
2d of April, 1890, the spirit of the loved wife re- 
turned to Ilim who gave it, leaving the bereaved 
husband to continue on alone until he too shall 
be called to cross the dark river and meet the 
loved one gone before. They had no children of 
their own, but Mr. Pierce has not been left with- 
out a comforter. Twenty years ago the worthy 
couple took into their home Miss Mary C. Ruby, 
and lavishing upon her the love and attention 
which would have been given to children of their 
own, they were repaid l)y her kind ministrations to 
them in their old age, jirompted b}- all the affec- 
tion and fidelity of a daughter. At the age of 
eighty-six, Mr. Pierce still lingers on the shores of 
time, beloved and respected by those who know 
him and appreciate his worth. He has been honest 
in his dealings and upright in character. Of this 
world's goods he has enough and to spare. 




1,-^ ANIFL K. KITTLP:, the etiicient Recorder 
J, of Van Buren County, and a representa- 
tive citizen of Keosauqua, was born in 
Hamilton County, Ohio, on the 2d of 
August. 1826. The Kittle family originatetl in 
Holland and the American progenitor was Daniel 
Kittle, the grandfather of our subject, who at an 
early day braved the hardships and liitlicnlties of 
an ocean passsxgo to make a home in the New World. 
He settled in the Taggart Valley of Virginia, and 
married Miss Catherine Cruni, a native of Holland. 
They became parents of the following children: 



.•51)4 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Jolin wedrled a Miss Gibson and settled in Indiana; 
Williiira married a sister of bis brother's wife and 
became a residi'iil of the same State; Jacob made 
liis home in Dearborn County, Ind.; Klias, who 
was joined in wedlock with Miss Hayes, died in 
Dearborn County; Solomon married a Jliss Gib- 
son; Phincas was the fsither of Daniel K.; and 
Daniel wedded a Miss Downey, sister of Judge 
Downov, of Indiana. 

I'iiineas Kittle, who was a native of Virginia, 
married Margaret Luke, and shortly afterwards re- 
moved with his young bride to Indiana, settling in 
Dearliorn, now Ohio County. At that time, the 
entire eoiintr}' round al)out was a waste wilderness 
and the pioneers of the commiuiity hewed out their 
farms in the midst of the heavy timl)or. Not a 
railroad crossed the State and the only means of 
<-onvcyanee was the prairie schooner. It will read- 
ily be seen that the early settlers thus had but few 
comforts and conveniences and were forced to en- 
dure many hardships and dKllculties such as are in- 
cident to life on the froritier. Mr. Kittle devoted 
his liiiie and attention to the development of a farm 
and being an industrious and energetic man suc- 
ceeded in his undertaking. He and his estimable 
wife were numbered among the highly respected 
citizens of the cc)mnuinity in which they located. 
Into them was born a family of ten children, nine 
'of whom lived to adult age: Thomas, the eldest, 
was twice married, and died in Ohio County. Ind.; 
Eleanor is the wife of Kli Corson, of Clarke County, 
Mo.; D. K., of this sketch, is the next vounger; 
Mary is the wife of A. McCullough, of Van IJuren 
Connty, Iowa; John is also living in the same 
countj'; Solomon married Miss Clement and is 
living in Ohio County, Ind.; Samuel is married 
and makes his home in A'an liuren County; Martin 
\-AU Huren is located in Ohio County, Ind. ; and 
Richard, the youngest, makes his home in Kansas. 

For thirty-live years. 1). K. Kittle has been a 
resident of \'an liiiren County and almost from 
the date of his S(!ttlemcnt he has been regarded as 
one of the prominent and inlluential citizens of the 
c(numunity. He has aided not a little in the up- 
building of the county's best interests, especially 
in the advancement of the cause of education, and 
for a niimbor of years w^as employed in the capac- 



ity of teacher. His own education was somewhat 
limited. He became familiar with the elementary 
branches of learning in a log schoolhouse with a 
puncheon floor, slab seats and oiled paper windows, 
but many men of note were similarly trained in 
their youth. When a lad of fifteen years, in the 
winter of 1840-41, he was attacked with the white 
swelling and in all these years has failed to find a 
remedy which woukl effect a permanent cure. This 
unfitted him for hard manual labor and his atten- 
tion was necessarily called to other pursuits. Being 
studious by nature and desirous of obtaining a 
better education, his brother John gave him finan- 
cial assistance and he was enabled to prosecute his 
studies until he became a well-informed man. The 
spring of 1854 witnessed the arrival of Mr. Kittle 
in lowaville. \'an Ruren County, and embarking 
in the profession of teaching he followed that pur- 
suit with marked success until 1872. Pi-evious to 
that time he had filled a number of township offices, 
having acted as clerk, assessor, etc., and in the 
autumn of the ^ear above mentioned he was elected 
Recorder of Van Buren County. Almost two de- 
cades have since passed awa^', ^ct with the exception 
of a term of two years, he has l)een continuously 
the incumbent of that office and ft)r one year dur- 
ing his absence from the same, he served as Deputy 
Treasurer. 

In the autumn succeeding his arrival in the 
county, Mr. Kittle was united in the holy bonds of 
matrimonj' with Miss Lavina McCullough and five 
living children grace their union, the eldest of 
whom, is Dora, wife of A. P. Hart, of Yellowstone 
County, Mont.; Delia, the next younger, is at 
home; Roger holds the position of Deputj' Re- 
corder; George is emiiloyed in the marble works 
of Oskaloosa; and Myrl completes the number. 

In early life Mr. Kittle was a supporter of Demo- 
cratic principles and affiliated with that part3' until 
the Presidential election of 1860, wdien his view? 
coinciding with those of the Republican party he 
gave his support to Abraham Lincoln and has since 
been a stalwart advocate of the party, which then 
for the first time gained cf)ntrol of the reins of 
government. Ills constituents have had no occa- 
sion to regret placing him in the various offices he 
has filled and in his long continued service as 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



305 



County Recorder, we liiul amjilc jjioof of his clli- 
ciencT and fidelity to diit\'. Few men are better 
known in this section of tlie country tlian D. K. 
Kittle and none are more universally respected 
tlirtu he. 




M. BICKFORD, of Fairfield, deserves a 
place in the record of the pioneer settlers 
and prominent citizens of Jefferson County. 
He was born in Maine, .June 3, 1817. His 
father, William Bickford, a native of the _saine 
State, went to sea when a boy and so faithfully did 
he discharge his duties that he was |)romoted step 
l)j' step until he became commander of a vessel. 
During his seafaring life he made several trips to 
the East Indies. At the age of sixty-five he quit 
the dangerous life of a sailor and devoted himself 
to the less exciting, 3'et safer pursuit of farming, 
which he followed in Maine, where he spent his 
last dajs d3'ing at the age of eighth-eight years. 
His wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Smith, 
was also born in the Pine Tree Stale, and died when 
our subject was less than a year old, leaving three 
children, of whom S. M. and a sister still survive. 
After the death of his first wife, William Bickford 
w.as again married and had a family of five children. 
Politically he was an old time Democrat and with 
:dl the patriotism of an American seaman, espoused 
the |)rinciples of "free trade and sailor's rights." 

Left motherless at so early an age, the early 
training of our subject was entrusted to a step- 
mother who was not the least noted for sweetness 
ijf disposition or kindness to the children to whom 
•she was to take the place of mother. Early in life he 
began to provide for his own wants and from a ten- 
der age has made his own w.iy in the world. When 
ayouth he served a three years' apprenticeship to 
the u)acliinisl's trade and on the completion of that 
term worked several years as a journey man. 
In 1844 he went to the Island of Cuba as a mo- 
cbanical engineer, remaining twelve months, and 
then spent one year in Illinois. Tn 1847 he first 
set foot upon Iowa soil, locating in I!ui lijigldu 



where he made his headcpiarters about two years 
though he worked at dilTerent places in the State. 
He then came lofFairfield where he has since 
nmilc his home although he spent one winter in 
Mississippi, and one in Wisconsin. He was an 
expert workman and his labors as a machinist 
have always been received with general satisfac- 
tion. Conscientious in the discharge of his duty he 
won the confidence of the ])ublic and soon secured 
a liberal patronage. He has entered several hun- 
dred acres of Inml in the western counties of Iowa 
which he still owns, luid as real estate is gradually 
incre.asing in value it will in time make hire a 
wealthy man. In his political affiliations Mr. Bick- 
ford w!is a Democrat until the war, since which 
time he has voted with the Republican party. He 
has never been an office seeker but when public 
trust was accorded him he discharged his duty hon- 
orably and acceptably. For some twelve or fifteen 
years he held the position of Township Trustee and 
his long service in one oflice is certainly a high tes- 
timonial of the general satisfaction with which his 
efforts were received. He has now made Jefferson 
County his home for more;than forty years and has 
alwajs been a respected and worthy citizen. He 
keeps; himself well informed on all public issues, 
and is progressive and zealous in whatever tends 
to benefit the communit3'. 



^^ 



ON. CHARLES D. LEaGETT. Judge of 
the Second Judicial District of Iowa, was 
^^ born in Carrolton, Carroll County, Ohio, 
(^; October 8, 1849, and is a son of Richard 
II. and Basheba (Viers) Leggett. In 1855, when a 
child of six \'ears, he came to Fairfield, Iowa, with 
his parents, and has since made this city his home. 
Heattended the schools of Fairneld in childhood, 
later was a student in Griswold College, of Daven- 
port, and completed his education in Kenyon Col- 
lege, of Gambier, (Jhio, graduating from that in- 
stitution in 18()!(, at the head of his class. With a 
desire to make the legal profession his life work, he 



30G 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



entered upon the stutly of law under tlie direction 
of lion. D. r. Slubbs.of Fairfield, and was admitted 
to the l)ar June 6, 1872, and soon afterward to 
praellce in the United States eircuit and district 
courts. On tlie same day lie entered n|>oii his i)ro- 
fessional career in FairGeld ns a partner of his 
former preceptor. 1). 1'. Slal)bs, tlie firm being 
styled Stubbs & Leggett. That connection con- 
tinued six years and on its dissolution, Judge Legg- 
ett became the senior member of tiie law firm of 
Leggett & McKeraey of Fairfield, which continued 
business until the witlidrawal of Judge Leggett on 
his election to the bench. 

On September 2, 188.J, the Judge was united in 
marriage in (entervillo, Ohio, with Miss Beatrice 
t'uiiiiingham, daughter of 1*. F. Cunningham. The 
lady was born in Centcrville and is a graduate of 
Parsons College, of Fairfield. They have two chil- 
dren, a son and a daughter — Richard C, born 
Octobers, 1886, and Ruth, March 26, 1889. 

The Judge is a Republican in politics but has 
not been an active politician. 



-^1= 



—^^^^ 



A 



^ROF. RICHARD A. HARKNKSS.Pii. I).. 
jjj professor of the latin language and litera- 
ture in Parsons College, of Fuirfield, is an 
educator of thirty years experience and of 
well known and recognized ability throughout the 
Slate. He was born in Delhi, Delaware County, 
N. Y., November 25, 1839. Of almost pure Scotch 
blood, he has inherited the physical and mental 
characteristics of that people. Ilis i)aternal graud- 
Iiarents came from the North of Ireland, though 
their ancestors emigrated from Scotland attlietiin(> 
of the persecution and sought refuge on the Fnier- 
ald Isle. His maternal grandparents came direct 
from Scotland and Ijolh families settled in New 
York. Their lives were simple and unostentatious, 
but intensely religious. To such homes we arc 
greatly indebted for the greatest and best charai-- 
ters of our American civilization. The Professors 
parents. Robert and Lydia (Leal) Ilaikuess, were 



natives of New York,'^which State was their home 
throughout life, he being a farmer by occupation. 
His death occurred in the prime of manhood when 
foriy-two 3'ears of age, leaving a famil}^ of ten chil- 
dren, four sons and six daughters, of whom Prof. 
Ilarkness is the eighth in order of birth. Of these 
three sons and five daughters are still living. The 
mother lived to the advanced age of eighty-five 
years and like her husband was a life-long member 
of the Presbyterian Cliurch. 

Prof. Ilarkness is the only one of^the familj' that 
has been diveited from the pursuit of his ancestors — 
farming, and until sixteen years of age, he too, per- 
formed such duties .as are incident to tlie life of 
farmer lads. The father dying when Richard was 
only five 3'ears of age, the early training of the boj' 
was left to his mother, who schooled him as best she 
could and never forgot to impress upon his young 
mind the great principles of Christianity. Until 
about seventeen years of age he attended the com- 
mon schools and the Delhi Academy-. From 1856 
to 1860, he was engaged in teacliing in Licking 
County, Ohio, when he returned to his native city 
and spent another year in the academj'. In 1861. 
he entered the junior class of Union College, in 
Schcnectad}', N. Y. ami was graduated in 1863 
with the degree of A. B. He taught in an acad- 
emy in Cherry Valle}', N. Y„ and continued that 
work until 1864, when he was offered the position 
of principal of a school in Gordon (Jrove, Decatur 
County, Iowa. The institution was a public school 
antl a college combined, and for eighteen 3'ears he 
stood at its licad and under his clHcient manage- 
ment the school became ver3' popular. Students 
came from long distances and more pupils were 
prepared for college at that school than at an3' 
other in this part of the Slate. Through the 
work done and the active i)ail taken in normal 
inslitules. Prof. Ilarkness became well known 
throughout the Stale and without his solicitation 
or consent his name was offered as a candidate for 
Slate Superintendent of Schools. He supports the 
Republican parly but has never sought ollicial 
recognition. For many 3ears he was a member 
of the State Educational Council and was President 
of the Slate Teachers' Association in 1882. 

Prof. Ilarkntss has never fell called upon "to 




James Galliher. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL AL15UM. 



iW'j 



write a book" but he lins made a number of valu- 
able contributions to the literature of bis profession 
wliicli iiavc appeared in journals or been read be- 
fore associations. In If^TG, the Professor was 
elected a trustee of Parsons College, of Fairfield. but 
resiijned the position after six years on being called 
to his present position in 1882. 

In Humeston, Iowa, on the 9lii of August, 1865, 
Prof. Ilarkness was united in marriage witli Miss 
Susie, daughter of Hon. Alva and Marj' (North- 
rup) Ihinieston, who emigrated to Iowa in 1864. 
Her father was a prominent business man and 
at one time represented AVayne Count}' in the 
Iowa Legislature. ]Mrs. Ilarkness is a native of 
Trumbull Louuty, Ohio, and a cultured anil intel- 
ligent lady, her education having been acquired in 
Ilirani College. The I'rofessor and his wife have 
three children— Mary L., a graduate of Parsons 
College, of Fairfield, in which institution she has 
since taught for five years; Susie A. and Carlton 
A. are still students. 

Mr. Ilarkness is senior professor in tlie college 
and is well capable of filling the position which 
he has now held for eight years. So far as human 
effort goes he is a self made man. AVith good nat- 
ural endowments and a first-class course of train- 
ing combined with long experience. Prof. Harkness 
has won rank among the first educators of the 
State. 



. r..«-..''..'^.; 



'jf/AMKS A. GALLIHRK, of F.airfield, has re- 
sided in Jefferson (,'ount3' for a longer period 
than almost any of its citizens now living. 
He has ever ranked among its leading and 
influential men and in various official capacities has 
attested liis worth as a citizen and his desire to aid 
in the progress of all that would benefit the com- 
niunit}'. 

The life record of Mr. Galliher is as follows: 
His birth occurred in Fleming County, Ky., May 
4. 1811, and in his native .Stale he was reared to 
manhood. But before proceeding farther it would 



be well to mention something about the origin of 
the Galliher family which was founded in Amer- 
ica by the grandfather of our subject, a gentleman 
of Irish birth, who accompanied by his wife, a lady 
of Scotch descent, left the Emerald Isle and sailed 
for the New World. Having arrived at their desti- 
nation they settled in Fleming Count}-, Ky., where 
was born unto them a son to whom they gave the 
name of .Tamos. On reaching manhood he married 
Eleanor Blackburn, who was a native of Maryland 
and with her parents emigrated to Fleming County, 
Ky., among its earl}- settlers. James Galliher was 
a farmer by occui)ation and followed that business 
throughout the greater part of his life. He enlisted 
in the War of 1812 with three of his brothers, ami 
he and two brothers were killed in a battle with the 
Indians on the river Raisen and the other brother 
who escai)ed with lii.s life, was seven times wounded. 
The fam.ily left to mourn the loss of the f.ather 
consisted of six children, five sons and a daughter, 
but our subject is the only one who now survives. 
His mother spent her last days at his home in this 
county, passing away in 1856. She was a consist- 
ent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church 
and her example impressed itself u[)on the minds 
of her children, never to be effaced. 

James A. Galliher was the fifth in order of birth 
in the family and was but two years of age at the 
time of his father's death. No property of any 
amount being left, at an early age he was forced 
to begin life for himself and in consequence his 
educational advantages were verj' limited, being con- 
fined to about eight months attendance at the com- 
mon schools. Having worked for his mother until 
1 830, he was then married to Hannah McKee, a na- 
tive of Fleming County, Ky., their union being 
celebrated March 18, 1830. He followed farming 
in his native State until 1832, when with his famil}' 
he removed to Vermilion County, III., where he 
made his first purcliase of land — a tract of one 
hundred and twenty acres. Thinking it would be 
to his .advantage to seek a home further westward, 
in 1838 he came to Jefferson County and at the 
first land sale in Iowa, made purchase of a quarter 
section. He also entered a like amount, after which 
he returned to Illinois. His first wife had died on 
July 11, 1836, and on December 17, 1839. he 



310 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



wertflofl Molinda B. Anderson, fi native of Bourbon 
County, Ky., born fSeplcmber 19. 1810. In Au- 
gust. 1840, lie brought liis family to the new home, 
loeatins; on his farm in Cedar Town^liip. In look- 
ing abroad over the country to-day one can scarcely 
realize what was its condition fifty years ago. 
Where now appear wavinjr fields of grain, wild 
and uncnltivatcd prairies stretched away into the 
distance; flourishing towns of considerable im- 
portance were not yet in existence and the entire 
roi^ion round about w.as almost an unbroken wilder- 
ness. Perhaps our readers may gain some idea of 
the condition of things at that day by a descriplion 
of the way in which Mr. (iailihcr and his family 
spent the first few years after their arrival. No 
liouses could be rented and they cooked by a log 
and slept in a wagon until Mr. Galliher could i)re- 
pare logs for building a cabin. He invited all 
within reach to assist him at llie -'raising" and the 
invitations were all responded to, but the entire 
company numbered onlj' five. The house was 1 8x 1 8 
feet yet many of the happiest hour? of tlie life of 
our subject were passed beneath that liumble roof. 
At length the pioneer home was replaced by a 
commodious brick residence in which he lived until 
his removal to Fairfield in 1888. llardshiiJS and 
difficulties incident to pioneer life were common to 
rII in that early day and Air. Gallilier and his fnni- 
ily did not escape the general rule, liut overcoming 
such disadvantages, success at length smiled upon 
his efforts and he is now in comfortable circum- 
stances having a competency which enables him to 
live a retired life. 

From the time when he <'asl his first vote for 
Anilrew .lackson. Mr. Calliher has never wavered 
in his support to the Democratic party, but feels an 
abiding interest in its welfare and success. As be- 
fore staled, he has long served in positions of pub- 
lic trust, his official career covering a period of 
twenty-eiglit years, which would have lieen further 
extended had he so desired. This fact indicates 
his efficiency and ability as an officer and is a better 
testimonial than words of praise. For eighteen 
years he was .Justice of the Peace, for two and a 
half years he served as Sheriff and for seven years 
occupied the position of County Trustee. lie and 
his wife were long associated with the Methodist 



Church but becoming dissatisfied with the stand 
which the church took in regard to the war, with- 
drew from membership. He is a member of the Old 
.Settlers' Society. 

By his first wife Mr. Galliher had two children, 
namely: Hester ,)., now the widow of Peter Fisher, 
and .Sarah E., wife of Nathaniel Young, a farmer 
of Adair County, Iowa. By the ])resent union 
eight children have lieen born, Melinda B., de- 
ceased wife of William Templeton; James A. who 
died in his nineteenth year; Catherine A., wife (jf 
II. Templeton; Esther who died at th(^ age of three 
years: Theresa, second wife of William Teni|)leton; 
(ienrge W. who died in infancy; Samantha, wife of 
Perry Green, and Eveline S. who died at the age of 
two years. 



...A^ t •■ ^ 



^^ 



V R. JOEL ELISHA KING, deceased, was born 
J) in Sandersfield, Berkshire County, Mass., 
^ November 26, 1813, and was of Irish de- 
scent. His grandfather, Dr. Robert King, was born 
near Cork, Ireland, in 1740, and about 1767, wed- 
ded a Miss Morgan. The3' are supposed to have 
married in the old country, but soon afterward 
came to America, settling in Blanford, Berkshire 
County, Mass. The sixth child in their family of 
eleven children was born on the 9th of May, 1777. 
in Blanford, Mass., and to him was given the name 
of Robert. In 1808 he was commissioned Lieutenant 
of a company in the First Brigade, Ninth Division 
of the Massachusetts Militia, and in 1812 pro- 
moted to be Ca|)tain of the same. A man of marked 
ability, he gave his attention to the study of medi- 
cine and surgery, and soon took prominence among 
llie physicians and surgeons of that place. In his 
earlier years he became addicted to the use of 
strong drink, but becoming convinced of its hurt- 
fulness, he abandoned the use of all liquors, and be- 
came a strong advocate of the cause of temperance. 
In 1826, he removed to Portage County, Ohio, pur- 
chased a farm of two hundred acres near Charles- 
ton Center, and laying aside the arduous duties of 
a practitioner spent the remainder of his life in re- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



311 



tirement in tlie Lome which he there made. He 
was twice maniefl, but by the latter union iiad no 
fhililren. His first wife was Miss Bridget Morgan, 
:in<l a family of twelve children was born unto 
tiiom. 

The personal hislorj' of our subjeot, Ur. J. E. 
King, is as follows: In the common schools of Oiiio, 
he acquired iiis education, and at tiie age of fifteen 
began tlie study of medicine. After reaching man- 
hood, lie bouglit a piece of laud in Charleston, 
Ohio, and with his own hands cleared awaj' the tim- 
ber, developing from the hitherto uncultivated 
tract a rich and fertile farm. In Norton, Summit 
County, Ohio, on the 3d of April, 1835, he was 
united in marriage with Miss Emeline Barnes, who 
was born December 24, 1813, in Tolland, Ilaniden 
County, Mass. Her father, I'hineas Barnes, who 
was born in Massachusetts, October 7, 1770, and 
her mother, whose maiden name was Abigail Smith, 
was boru in the Bay Stale, June 10, 1780. In 1814, 
they removed to Ohio, locating in Summit County, 
where they spent the remainder of their lives. Mr. 
Barnes was a well-to-do farmer, and himself and 
wife were devoted workers in the ^Methodist Church. 
Their family numbered nine sons and three daugh- 
ters, but only four are now living: Dennison, who 
is living in Bloomington, 111., at the .-ige of eighty- 
nine years; John, a resident of Michigan; Corintha, 
wife of Merritt Iloskins, of Michigan; and Mrs. 
King; Salmon, when a young man, went south and 
joined the regular arm}-, and after serving about a 
year, died at Ft. Gibson. Phineas Barnes, the father 
of this family, died March 1, 1857, at the age of 
eighty-seven years, and the death of his wife oc- 
curred on the 6th of May, 1849. 

Dr. King continued his fanning operations in 
Ohio, until 1838, when he sold out and removed to 
Salem, Marion County, III., where he engaged in 
the practice of medicine until, believing his ser- 
vices were more needed in the work of tiie iiiinis- 
Iry, he sold out and began preaching. He had 
been converted at the age of seventeen years, and 
from that time was a constant Bible student. Having 
engaged in pastoral work for about two years, he 
again resumed the practice of medicine, making iiis 
home on a farm near Clinton, until 18.").'!, when he 
removed to that town and eiig.-iged in mercantile 



pursuits, but the financial panic of 1857. came on 
and with many liundreds of others he was engulfed 
in ruin. 

During the first year of the Civil AVar, Dr. King, 
with an earnest desire to aid his country, enlisted 
in Company E, Twentieth Illinois Infantry, and 
was detailed in the hospital of the regiment. In 
18(i2, he was taken sick, but not able to get full re- 
lief he was placed in charge of the smallpox hospi- 
tal in Louisville, Ky. He did not rally from the 
effects of his own illness, however, and in October, 
1862 received his disciiarge. When he entered the 
service, his weight was one hundred and fifty 
pounds, but on his return home he weighed only 
eighty-nine pounds. During his absence a homoe- 
pathic physician. Dr. Hummel, had located in Clin- 
ton. Failing to find relief in any of the various 
remedies which he had tried. Dr. King was pur- 
suaded by his wife to try homoepatliic treatment, 
and finall}' to study the same with Dr. Hummel. 
He himself was so much benefited, that he became 
impressed with the desire to know more of the sys- 
tem, and from that time forward practiced it alto- 
gether. In March, 1865, he removed with his 
family to Fairfield, where he continued tiie prac- 
tice of medicine until his death. He was a success- 
ful doctor, and had an extensive iir.actice over a 
large range of territory. His ability w.as the secret 
of his popularity, and the liberal patronage which 
he received was well deserved. In his political 
sentiments, the Doctor w.as a Republican, and in 
his social connections was a Mason. He was also 
a strong advocate of the cause of temperance, and 
was a liberal supporter of all worthy enter|)rises. 
Charitable and benevolent,his generosit}- was every- 
where known, and the poor and needy found in him 
a valued friend. 

To Dr. and Mrs. King were born eight children, 
but two daughters died in childhood. The living 
are: Sylvester M., a physician of Albia, Iowa, who 
enlisted in Company E, Twentieth Illinois Infan- 
try, on the 19th of April, 1801, participated i>i the 
bailies of Frederickstown, .Mo., Ft. Donelson and 
Shiloh, where he was severely wounded, after wliich 
he was discharged in October, 1862, but in Au- 
gust. 1864, he re-enlisted .as a member of Cf)mpan\- 
I, Sixth Oliio Cavalry, and serve! until the close 



312 



PORTRAIT AND B100RA1»HICAL ALBUM. 



of the war. Edward H.. the second of the family, 
like his brother, is a graduate of Ilaiincmann Col- 
lege, of Cliicago, and is now engaged in tlio pi'ac- 
tice of medicine in Denver. Col. He served tliree 
years in Company H, One Hundred and Seventh 
Illinois Infantry, and was in nearly all the battles 
i)f the regiment; Ellen is the wife of Thomas L. 
Hoffman, who is mentioned elsewhere in this work; 
.loej 15. is extensively engaged in business in El- 
bert. Colo.; Alice is the wife of Dr. Joseph S. Low- 
fll, of Clinton, Iowa; Emma, the youngest of the 
family, is the wife of William S. Mitchell, a drug- 
gist of IJloomlield. 

On the 1st of .June. 1890, Dr. .1. K. King passed 
from among the living. In his deatli the church, 
.society, and his fainil}', suffered an irreparable loss. 
Few men have move endeared themselves to the 
hearts of the people of the community than he. 
His wife is still living in Eairlield, and is an active 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 



^-^j-^^^^i^H^^iT^^^ 



ili=^EV. FREDERIC 
ikif is fainili.Ti'ly ki 



UCK FINNEY ETON, who 

• known as "I'ncle Fred." has an 
**> \»> acquaintance throughout the county which 
5' embraces almost every man, woman and 
child within its borders. Not to know liim argues 
oneself unknown. He was born in Otsego County, 
N. Y.. on the Gtli of August, 1S16. and is a son of 
Abel and Nancy (Finney) Lyon, both of wiioni 
were natives of Connecticut. In an early day they 
removed to the Empire Slate, and located in wliat 
was jifterw.ard Otsego County. In 1829 they be- 
came residents of Wayne County, and in 1836 they 
removed to Cattaraugus County, wiiere their last 
days were spent. The father died in liis eighty- 
ninth year, and the mother also reached an ad- 
vanced age. Theirs was a Christian home and in 
accordance with the teachings of the jMcthodist 
Church, of which they were consistent members, 
they reared their family of children, consisting of 
si.x sons and six daughters, and two of the sons 
became ministers — Moses, now deceased, who for 



some sixty years was eng.<tged in preaching the 
Gospel ; and Frederick F. The father took a most 
important part in church work, his home was the 
place of entertainment for the Methodist ministers, 
and his tent was always found upon the camp meet- 
ing grounds. No church duty was ever neglected 
by him, and his religion imbued his wliole life, 
making him a kind, benevolentand charitable man, 
ever ready to aid the oppressed, to lift u[) tlie fallen 
and give to the poor and needy. 

The subject of this sketch was the sixth cliild in 
the family. His father operated an extensive farm, 
was a hard worker himself, and taugiit his sons the 
same valuable lesson of thrift and industry. Thus 
reared in a Christian home and trained to lialiits of 
labor and enterprise. Mr. Lyon laid a foundation 
upon which a noble character h.as been reared. 
When a lad of thirteen years his parents removed 
from Otsego to W.ayne County, N. Y., but while 
they were making preparations for providing a 
comfortable home, young Frederick was left with 
an uucle, and while there had a narrow escape from 
being bnrned to death. One night he w.as sleeping 
on some shavings in a sawmill when the building 
caught fire, and he was not awakened from his 
slumbers until a cousin had rushed through the 
Uames which tilled the room, gatiiercd him up, bed 
and all, and carried him away from* the burning 
Iniilding, thus saving his life. He received fair 
educational advantages in his youth, and at the age 
of nineteen years began teaching school, which oc- 
cupation he followed through two winters in his 
native State. He then helped to prepare a raft 
ami started down the Allegheny River, working 
his way on the raft to Louisville, Ky. The men 
were there forced to accept half pay for liieir work. 
The man who had employeil lliem sl'M the raft and 
left, but tliey forced tlie new owner to ifive Ihcin 
one-half of the money due them. Jlr. Lyon con- 
tinued ills journej^ by river to F't. Madison, Iowa, 
but after a short time spent at that platje went to 
West Point, where he was engaged as cleiJi for a 
time and afterward worked in a mill. 

On the oth of June, 1837, Mr. Lyon arrived in 
what is now Jefferson County, and with its growth 
and progress he has ever since been [jrominenl!}- 
identified. Riding to the place where he judged 



rOKlliAir AM) BIOGUAPUICAL ALHUAl. 



313 



the coiinly seat would l)e, lie staked a claiif, but 
found that Henry H. Notson had located the same 
claim about a week previous. As he had no nioiu-y 
with which to puicliase lan<I he did not then secure 
a farm, but turned his attention to school-leaching, 
which he continued for nineteen terms with the 
most gratifying success, his labors being always 
highly couime;;de(t by his employers. The first 
land for .vhich he held a deed was located in Keo- 
kuk County, and continued to be his home for some 
nineteen years, when, in 1<S70, he removed to his 
present placi; of residence on section 17, Black 
Hawk Townshi|), Jefferson County. He now de- 
votes his attention to the care and cultivation of 
his farm, and is I'anked among the substantial citi- 
zens of the community. 

On the 8th of November, 1858, Mr. Lyon and 
Miss Rachel F. Harris were joined in marriage. 
Mrs. Lyon is a native of Kentucky, was born July 
U"), 1828. and is a daughter of S.,muel M.and Mar- 
garet (.McVay) Harris, the former a native of \'\r- 
ginia and the latter of Tennessee, where their 
marriage was celebrated. For sometime the}' m.ade 
their home in Kentucky, and in 1825 took up their 
residence in Macoupin Countj-, 111., whence they 
came to Jefferson Count}' in the month of June. 
183G. Mr. Harris was a farmer by occupation, and 
both he and his wife were members of the Metho- 
dist Churcli. They were parents of twelve chil- 
dren, seven sons and five daughters, and one of the 
number, Samuel T. , became a minister of the Ba[)- 
tist Chur(-b. Mr, and Mrs. Harris lived to a ripe 
old age, but both are now deceased. 

Mr. and Mrs. Lyon, in their declining 3"cars, are 
surrounded b}' the comforts and luxuries which go 
to make life worth the living, but their lot was not 
alwaj's such. They began their domestic life in a 
ent, where a quilt served as a door, and thus lived 
until a cabin could be built. In the long nights the 
howl of the wolf could be heard, and the Indian 
was frequently a visitor at theii home, but these 
were not the only disadvantages to be borne. It 
was no easy task to develop from the wild land a 
farm which coulil supply all their wants; means of 
travel were very inferior, and it was a ditficult 
task to go to market or mill, but as the years rolled 
along prosperity came to them as the reward of 



their honest efforts, and they now have an abun- 
dance of this world's goods. These worthy peoi)le 
were the first couple legally married in the county. 
A marriage had before taken place, but was not 
considined legal. 

Thirteen children were born to .Mr. and Mrs. 
Lyon, the eldest of whom is N'ancy A. : Margaret, 
the second daughter, is the wife of Noah Embree; 
Samuel T. is engaged in farming in Nebraska, and 
William A. follows the same occupation in Oregon; 
Rachel J., deceased, vvas the wife of Jehu Embree; 
Clarissa is the wife; of William McClintock; Fred- 
erick L. is a farmer; Mar}- E. was followed b}' John 
S., now a farmer of Nebraska; I). N. is engaged in 
the same pursuit and dealing in slock in Black 
Hawk Township; Susan I. is the wife of Alex W. 
]McClintock ; and Nathaniel B. and L'lj'sses W. 
comi)lele the family. 

Mr. Lyon was converted under the preaching of 
Henry Summers in the neighl)0!hood where Prairie 
Chapel now stands, when about twenty-four years 
of age, and about six mouths later was licensed to 
preach. He has continued his labors as a local 
minister throughout the ensuing years, with the 
exception of eight years. One \ear he spent as 
Methodist minister on a circuit, and seven years as 
a circuit preacher in the United Brethren denomi- 
nation. His voice has been heard in proclaiming 
the Gospel all over this part of the counlr}'. Often 
times, after a day si)ent in the school room, he 
would mount his horse, fill some ap|ioinlment to 
preach, and then ride home probably ten or twelve 
miles and perform the evening labors of the farm. 
After preaching for a time in the Methodist Church 
he became connected with the I nited lirelliren, and 
was ordained as Elder in 18Gl,but after eight j'ears 
he returned to his earlier faith, and has since been 
one of the most faithful and consistent members of 
his home church. His work cannot be estimatetl 
by any common standard of measurement, for we 
cannot tell upon whom our words are taking effect, 
or what will be the result of impressions formed, 
but it is known that his Christian inlluence has been 
a power for good in the community, and that his 
life work lias made others better, so that when his 
time comes to die it can be said of him tiiat it was 
well that he lived. He possesses considerable 



314 



POUTUAl I AND BIOGRAIMIICAL ALIJUM. 



poetic talent, and his poems breathe a fervent piety 
in every line. Many have been printed, and his 
friends woiil<) ■jiadly see the rest in i)rint. for in 
many are expressed gems of thouglil. lie has 
written upon the following subjects, wiiich, as will 
be seen, contain deep Ihonght, but should be read 
to be appreciated: Fall and Recovery, Preaching of 
the Apostles. Tongue of Fire and Heart of Flame, 
Apostacy, Heformations under Lutlierand Wesley, 
Millenium, Faith of Abraham, David and Oilier 
Olil Testament Worthies, and the General Judg- 
ment, which is terribly sublime in its word paint- 
ing. 

I'ntil the war Mr. Lyon supported the Democratic 
party, and then became a Kepublican, bat dur- 
ing the last few years has lieen a Greenback and 
Labor I'nion man. believing that the interests of 
the laboring classes are best cared for by that party. 
lie was appointed the first Sheriff of Jefiferson 
County, by the (lovernor, on the organization of 
of the county and held the ofllce two years, ile 
has been Chaplain of the Old .Settlers Society five 
years and takes great interest in its meetings, lie 
has been a resident of this conimuuity for fifty- 
three years, and little is known concerning the early 
history of the county with which Mr. L}'on is not 
familiar. Ilis reminiscences of the pioneer days are 
both valuable and interesting, and we greatly re- 
gret that space forbids us giving a more extended 
account of the same. He well deserves a repre- 
sentation In the history of his adopted county, for 
he Is known throughout the neighborhood as a 
worthy i itizen and honored pioneer. 



'^^>l<^|-^- 



AMUKL FASNACHT, one of the pioneers 
'^S* of \'an liuren County and a respected eiti- 
\S-^ zen of Kcosauqua, was born in Lebanon, 
Lebanon County, Pa., on the 2()tli of Au- 
gust, I81.S, and as the name indicates, the family is 
of German descent. The grandfather of our sub- 
ject, F'rederiek Fasnaeht, Wiis the American [iro- 
genitor. ami his son Conrad became the father of 



Samuel. Ile was mariied in Lebanon County, Pa., 
to Miss Rosanna Stoever, by whom he had four 
children — Joseph, AVIIIiam, Charles and Catherine 
— all of whom died in infancy. After the death of 
the mother, Mr. Fasnaeht wedded Mrs. Catherine 
(Doebler) Hoak widow of George Hoak, and six 
children blessed this union, to whom were given 
the names of Samuel, Edward, Andrew, Henry. 
Savilla and Rosa. 

The early life of our subject passed uneventfully. 
His education was acquired in the subscription 
schools common at that day, and when a young 
man he learned the trade of a butcher, which he fol- 
lowed for some ^ears. In 183G he emigrated to 
.Spiingfiekl, Ohio, where he married Miss Rel)ecca 
Schreckengast, who was burn in Lebanon County, 
Pa., in April, 1818. In the fall succeeding their 
marriage Mr. Fasnaeht and hisyoung wife removed 
to Mt. Carmel, Wabash County, 111., where he was 
engaged in the butchering business for some three 
years. The Southwest then attracted his attention 
and he made a location in Little Rock, Ark., where 
he also carried on a meat market. Not finding 
everything as favorable as he !iad hoped, in the 
spring of 1842 he removed to Memphis, Tenn., 
where he remained until the spring of 1845, which 
year witnessed his arrival In Van Buren County. 
However, he had previously visited Stephenson 
County, where he had a brother living. Taking 
uj) his residence in Keosauqu-i, Mr. Fasnaeht en- 
gaged in the butchering l:)usiness until 1850, when 
attracted by the discovers of gold in California, he 
made a trip to the Pacific Slope, reaching Sacra- 
mento after one hundred and two days of travel. 
During his sojourn in the Far West he was located 
at Placervllle, then known as llangtown. where he 
also owned and operated a meat market, furnishing 
meat to the miners of thatilocallty. In the spring 
of 1851 he returned home b}' the way of the Panama 
route, and while on the water, the vessel encoun- 
tered a frightful storm which continued through 
three days. Landing at New Orleans, Mr. Fasnaeht 
there boarded a river steamer and proceeded up tlio 
Mississippi to his home. Again during a gold ex- 
citement he started for the region of wealth, but 
' this time, after having fitted out a team for Pike's 
; Peak, found that the stories were mostly inventions 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



315 



of some gifted brain anrl did not start upon the 
journey. However, he has traveled extensively 
over this country, from Pennsj'lvania to the Pacific 
Coast and from Iowa to the mouth of the Missis- 
sippi. Such journeys add a charm to the conversa- 
tion, and thereby a knowledge of men and their 
manners is acquired which often proves of "jreat 
benefit to the possessor of the same. 

IMr. and Mrs. Fasnacht are the parents of four 
sons — William K., who is living in Florida; Lewis 
C, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this work; 
George W., now a resident of Montana; and Frank 
B., a printer located in Wichita, Kan. In politics 
Mr. Fasnacht is a stanch supporter of Democratic 
principles, and has been honored with several local 
offices of trust, the duties of which he has ever dis- 
charged in a commendable manner. The family is 
one of high repute, and it is with pleasure we re- 
cord this brief sketch of their lives in the history 
of their adopteil county. 



kEWIS C. FOSNOT ranks among the lead- 
ing and successful business men of Keosau- 
qua, his business being that of photography. 
Tliis genlleraan who is so widely known throughout 
Van Buren County, claims the honor of whicli few 
of his years can boast, that of being a native of 
the citj' where he still makes his homo. His par- 
ents, Samuel and Catherine Fasnacht, whose sketch 
appears elsewhere in this work, are numbered among 
the early settlers of the community. They have 
retained the old country orthography but their son 
has adopted the English mode of spelling the 
name. 

In the common schools of his native town, Lewis 
Fosnot acquired a liberal English education and was 
fitted for his life work. Looking about him for some 
trade or profession which would prove a pleasant 
as well as a profitable business, he chose that of 
photography and having become familiar with the 
art in all its details he embarked in business for 
himself in 1872, continuing in the .'<:uno line for 



eigiiteen consecutive years. As in his lessons in 
the school room, lie makes a thorough study of his 
business, familiarizing himself with the latest 
methods and iuiprovemcnts and his work will com- 
pare favorably with that of many an arti>.t in the 
larger cities. His studio is a popular one and the 
liberal patronage which ho receives indicates that 
he has found favor with the public. 

In 187(t, in Keosauqua, Mr. Fosnot led to the 
marriage altar Miss Elizabeth Hunter, daughter of 
Robert llnnter. The lady was born in West \'ir- 
ginia, in 1848, and in the community where she 
now makes her home is held in high esteem by a 
large circle of friends and acquaintances. The 
union of Mr. and Mrs. Fosnot has been blessed 
with a family of five children, one son and four 
daughters, namely.- Carrie, Minnie, Katie, Samuel 
and Mary. Having passed his entire life in Keo- 
sauqua, Mr. Fosnot has been a witness of the many 
great changes which have taken place in Van Buren 
County dining the past forty years. His memory 
goes b,ack to the days when not a railroad crossed 
its borders, when much of the land was still in its 
primitive condition, and when the little log school- 
house and primitive cabin marked the site of many 
a good institution of learning or palatial home of 
to-day. He has seen towns and villages sjjring up, 
has witnessed the introduction of the telegraph and 
telephone, together with the establishing of many 
industries and enterprises and feels a just pride in 
Van Buren County, his only home. 







R. CALVIN SNOOK, a practicing physi- 
]Jj cian of Fairfield, was born in Fairfield 
'^ Township, Jefferson County, on the 14tli 
of March, 1848, and is a son of John and 
Mary (Fowler) Snook. His boyhood days passed 
uneventfully upon the farm, but not wishing to en- 
gage in agricultural pursuits ho began fitting him- 
self for the medical profession. He com[)leted his 
literary education in the city schools of Fairfield, 
after which he entered the college of Phj'sicians 



310 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



and Surgeons,of Keokuk, Iowa, and luiving mastertd 
the regular course of study was graduated from 
that institution in tiie class of 18G0. One week 
later he iiad estublisiied iiimself in practice in 
Moulton, Appanoose County, Iowa, where he re- 
mained until the fall of 1870. wlien he removed to 
Peru, Kan., continuing practice in that place until 
the spring of 1872. He then returned to Iowa, 
and locating in Perlcc,.lcfferson County, announced 
lo the public that he was ready to receive patronage 
from any in need of services in iiis line. He there 
built up a good practice and continued business in 
that place until January, 1879, when he came to 
Fairfield, where he has since resided. Almost from 
the first he won recognition as an able physician 
ami took rank among the leading practitioners of 
this section. 

The marriage of Dr. Snook and iliss Ella A. 
Anderson was celebrated on the 16tli of January, 
186'.). in Keokuk. Iowa. '1 he lady is a native 
of Keithsburg. 111., and a daughle'- of Dr. I. M. 
Anderson. By their union have been born tiueo 
children, one son and two daughters: Marj- 15., 
John Newton and Esther. Mrs. Snook is a member 
of the Presbyterian Churcli. 

Tlie Doctor is a Democrat in his political views 
anil has heht a number of local ollices. For two 
years he held the office of Councilman, for one year 
serve<l as a member of the School Board, and in 
the spring of 1 890 was elected to the same position 
for a term of three years. For eight years he held 
the office of City Health Commissioner and for 
four years, under Cleveland's administration, was 
pensioner examiner. He is connected with a num- 
ber of medical societies, including the Jefferson 
County Medical .Society, the Des Moines Valley 
Medical Society, and the Iowa State Medical So- 
ciety. In connection with his professional labors. 
Dr. Snook is engaged to some extent in stock-rais- 
ing and farming with his brothers, one of wIkhu 
carries on that business in Cedar Township, Jeffer- 
son County, while the other is engaged in the same 
line in Nebraska. They were reared to work to- 
gether in harmony and since attaining to mature 
years have always done more or less business to- 
gether with great satisfaction. The Doctor has 
been quite successful in the practice of his profes- 



sion and is well deserving oi the liberal patronage 
accorded him. He is studious and kee|js himself 
well posted on all the discoveries and theories con- 
nected with the science and is the acknowledged 
peer of any of his professional brethren in the 
county. 



'^--£ 



r^HOMAS BELL has been longer engaged in 
V the srroeery business than any other mer- 
'■^ chant in .leffersun County, his operations 
in that line in Fairfield covering a period of twenty- 
five consecutive years. A prominent business 
man and leading citizen, he is well worthy a rep- 
resentation in this Volume, and wo feel assured 
that his sketch will be received with interest b}' 
many of our readers. Pennsylvania is the Stateof 
his nativity. He vvas lioni in the City of Brotherly 
Love, on the Tjlh of April. 1839. his parents being 
Thomas and Rachel (Grames) Bell. His jjaternal 
graiidfatlier, who was reared in Scotland, imbibed 
the love of freedt)m .•ind religious liberty char.icter- 
istic of the people of that country', as will be seen 
later on. Having m.irried in his native land, he 
emigrated to County Donegal, Ireland, locating in 
Rathmelton. He was a devout Presbyterian, .and 
a loader among the Orangemen. So intense was 
the hatred of the Catholics toward him that on 
one occasion, while crossing a bridge, he was met 
by a number of the Romanists and thrown over. 
He was unconscious on reaching the ground, and 
the Catholics, thinkiiig they had killed him, piled 
stone upon him and thus left him buried. Some 
time afterward, parties passing by heard groans, 
and throwing off the stones liberated Mr. Bell. It 
is needless to say this barbaritj' neither inspired in 
him nor his descendants a love for Catholicism. 

Thomas Bell, Sr.. was born on the w.ay to the 
Emerald Isle, 'and at the age of nineteen years 
sailed for the l'nite<l States, locating in Philadel- 
phia, Pa., where he worked at the shoemaker's 
trade, which he had learned in the old country. 
In that city he married Miss Grames, who was a 
native of Pennsvlvania, although her ancestors 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



317 



came fi'otii Scotland. Aftei' living in Philadelphia 
for some linie, Mr. Hell removed to Allegheny 
City, where he iiept a shoe store. Later he car- 
ried on business in Pittsburg and other towns in 
Ihe Keystone State, but sul)sequently, following 
the course of human emigration, which was steadily 
flowing westward, reached Harrison Coiintj", Ohio, 
and in 18."7 we find him in Louisa County, and 
three years later in iJcs Moines County, Iowa. 
After liis arrival in this State he devoted his time 
between farming andwoik at his trade until the 
organization of the Thirtieth Iowa Infantry, when 
he joined that regiment and served until its dis- 
charge, holding the office of Sergeant. When the 
war vvasover he removed to Corning, Iowa, where 
he engaged in the shoe business and also dealt in 
furniture for some years. He is now living a re- 
tired life, being some seventy-two years of age. 
In Allegheny City his wife and only daughter died 
at the same time, in 18o.'J, leaving a family con- 
sisting of live sons. Mr. IJell was afterward again 
married, and by his second wife, whose maiden 
ii."rae was Kliza Flynn, had six children. 

The subject of this sketch was the eldest child of 
the first marriage. When a lad of twelve years he 
began learning the shoemaker's trade, and with the 
exception of a short time spent in school, re- 
mained at the bench until he had attained his 
majority. His primary education was supi)le- 
inented by two terms attendance at an academy, 
he thus securing a good practical education. When 
the war broke out he and a friend proposed to raise 
a company and go into the service. He secured 
the number he was to raise but his friend was not 
as successful, and at length, tired of waiting, Mr. 
Bell, togetiicr with eight other companions, went 
to Davenport, and on the 23th of August, 18G1, 
enlisted in Company K, of the Second Iowa Cav- 
alry'. His war record is one of which he may 
justly be proud. 

Besides participating in sixty-two skirmishes, 
Mr. Bell took part in the following regular battles: 
Kew Madrid, Mo., Farmiiigton, the two battles of 
Corinth and luka. Miss., Colliersville and Moscow, 
Tenn., West Point and Okolona, Miss. His time 
having expired, he veteranized on the 1st of March, 
1864, and after a short furlough returned to the 



dreadful work of war, and participated in the bat- 
tles of Tupelo, Old Town Creek, Hurricane Creek, 
Shoal Creek, Butler Creek, Franklin and Nashville, 
Tenn. On the 17tli of December, 180-1, the Sec- 
ond Iowa Cavalry engaged in a hand to hand con- 
test with the Confederates a few miles .south of 
Franklin. Bayonets, swords, muskets and pistols 
were used indiscrintinatel3-. The following is sub- 
stantially given in Sergt. L. 1{. Pierce's history of 
the Second Iowa Cavalry: '-The principal event of 
this struggle, the fiercest in which the regiment 
ever engaged, was the capture of the colors of 
Ross' (rebel) brigade. As the contending forces 
came together, Thomas Bell ordered the rebel color 
bearer to surrender. He refused; a rush was made 
upon him. Just as Dominic Black was in the act 
of striking down the color bearer with his saber, 
he. was shot through the heart by one of the color 
guards. Sergt.. Coultei seized the fiag, wrenching 
it from the rebel's hands, and though at that in- 
stant he received a bullet through his shoulder, he 
handed the flag to Thomas Bell, who took it and 
led Coulter off the field, carrying the flag with him 
to the I'nion lines. When the}' were returning, 
they were met by their reinforcements, who on see- 
ing the rebel Hag, and thinking it was in the hands 
of a rebel oflicer fired upon Mr. Bell, and his es- 
cape from death was almost miraculous. Private 
Wall was confronted by a rebel, who placed the 
muzzle of bis gun against the former's side. Wall 
droppeil his own gun, seized that of his antagonist, 
and thrust it aside. Thomas Bell rushed to Wall's 
relief, aiming an empty carbine at the rebel; seeing 
Bell, the rebel dropped the gun, jerked the pistol 
from his belt and fired at the former's hOad, bow- 
ever without effect. Bell discovered another pis- 
tol in the rebel's belt, and urging his horse lieside 
him made a successful, grab for the weapon, with 
which he killed liis antagonist. Wall, who had the 
rebel's gun, killed with it another of the enemy 
who had assaulted Bell. Thus for some time they 
fought like tigers; blood flowed like water; men 
fell on every hand, but the flag remained in the 
possession of the boys in blue." 

Our subject was mustered out at Selnia, Ala., 
having been saddler of liis company' for some time. 
After over four years of service, in wliieh he par- 



318 



PORTRAIT AND HIOORAPIIICAL ALBUM. 



ticipatecl in seventy-eight engagements. Mr. Bell 
returned unscallied, conscious of havinL' done his 
p.irt in maintaining llie Government's honor and 
eslahlishing universal liberty. He has two relics 
of the war which lie prizes very highly— the pistol 
above referred to and a leave of absence. In 1864 
every man in the field was needed, and orders were 
given that no soldier should be allowed a furlough. 
Mr. Bell received word that his wife lay at the 
point of death. He despaired of getting a release, 
but his Lieutenant wrote a letter ciling the reason 
for his wishing a furlough, recounting Mr. Bell's 
valor in capturing liie rebel flag, and recommend- 
ing that he be permitted to go home. This mes- 
sage passed through the hands of the several 
authorities, each lime receiving the proper ofl3cial 
endorsements, and lie was granted tiie much prized 
furlough. 

In 1865 Mr. Bell engaged in the grocery busi- 
ness in Fairfield, which without interruption he has 
carried on since. He has had a partner for four 
years of that time, W. B. Rowland having been 
associated witii him two j'ears, and .1. A. Beck an 
equal length of time. 

On the 2d of May, 1861, in Des Moines County, 
Mr. Bell was united in raariiage with ^liss Leonora 
McCray, who was born in Indiana, but came with 
her parents to Iowa in an earl^' day. They are 
parents of five children, four of whom are living: 
Frank A.. Edwin B., Thomas H. and Florence. 
'Ihe eldest, Alonzo A., died at the age of five years. 
Bf>th Mr. Bell and his wife are members of the 
Metiiodisl Cliurcli, and take an active part in Sim- 
daj^-school work. For a number of years he has 
Ihmmi Chairman of the county Siinda3'-school or- 
ganization, and has been instrumental in establish- 
ing many schools throughout the county. He is a 
member of the Orand Army Post, of Fairfield, of 
which he has been Commander. Twice lie has 
been honored by being sent as delegate to the Na- 
tionftl Encampment. He is and has been for the 
past three years, Proident of the Old Soldiers and 
•Sailors Association of Fairfield. Sir. Bell is not 
only a temperance man in (iractice. but is also a 
fearless, outspoken advocate of jirohibition. 

Politically, Mr. Bell took a stand with, the Abol- 
tionists, in fact, was one among the first to volun 



teer in their ranks; since he has been a Republican 
of the most enthusiastic and pronounced type. In 
the army, the boys longing for home and the close 
of the struggle, would call upon him to make a 
speech in regard to the issues of the war. He 
would tell them that the war could never close 
until every man under the flag should be free. 
While they enjojed lliis talk they hooted at his 
ideas. How well he divined results, histor}' shows. 
Mr. Bell lias made business a success owing to in- 
dustry', enterprise and good management. As a 
result he has secured to himself a handsome com- 
petence, from wliicli lie makes liberal cont'ibutions 
to church and .Sunday-school work, and other wor- 
th}' interests. He believes that a man's zeal for a 
cause is truly shown by what he is willing to invest 
in it. 



'i^^- 



fU^ ENRY BASCOM EDMONSON, who is en- 
\. gagcil in farming and stock-raising on sec- 
tion 29, Washington Township, Van Buren 
County, is a native of KenUick}', the young- 
est of eiglit children, whose parents were Alfred O. 
and Kitty (Burton) Edmonson. The family was 
founded in America during Colonial days, in all 
probability, yet little is known concerning its early 
history. A. O. Edmonson was born in Maryland, in 
1 803, and grew to manhood in his native State, learn- 
ing the tailor's trade in his youth. When a young 
man he left his old home and became a resident of 
Kentucky where he formed the .acquaintance of 
Miss Burton who was born in that State in 1808.' 
As the fruits of their marriage eight children were 
born but onl}' four of the number are now living: 
Anna E.. wife of J. F. Freeman, who resides near 
Sacramento, Cal.; Catherine E., deceased ; William 
who was drowned in the Des Moines River, break- 
ing through the ice December 3, 1867; Harriet, 
wife of G. W. Paul of Idaho; Susan C. and Mary 
II. both deceased; Irene S., wife of W. Campbell of 
California; Henry B. of this sketch, and (ieorge 
A. who died in childhood, and an infant deceased. 
The two youngest were born in this county and all 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



319 



the deceased were here buried. Tlic I'allior iii-ci>iii- 
|)!inied by liis family came to Van liuren County 
ill the spring of 1843, and the following year set- 
tled upon the farm where our subject now resides, 
lie (v>ntiuued to engage in agricultural pursuits un- 
til his death, which occurred in April, 18G5. His 
wife, who survived him about five years, died in 
August, 1870. Both were members of tlie Metho- 
dist Episcopal Cluircli. 

'I'lic subject of this .sketch was born in Scott 
County, Ky., November 26, 1842, and was reared 
to manhood upon his fatlier's farm in his native 
county, but at the age of twenty years he left home 
to enlist in the service of his countr}^, becoming a 
member of Company I, Nineteenth Iowa Infantry, 
commanded by Capl. S. E. Payne, on the (Jth of 
August, 18(i2. He was mustered into service at 
Keokuk and assigned to the Thirteenth Army Corps, 
after which ho proceeded with his regiment to the 
frontier in Arkansas, where he remained about six 
numths. Making his wa}' southw-ard he then ])ar- 
ticipa'.ed in the seige and capture of ^'icksllurg, 
after which tlie regiment marched to New Orleans. 
He took i)art in all the engagements in which his 
regiment participated, including the hard fought 
battles of Prairie Gtove,siege of Vicksburg, Yazoo 
City, the battle of Sterling Farm and the siege and 
capture of Spanish Fort. At I'rairie Grove he was 
wounded in both hips by musket balls and thus dis- 
abled for service for about three months.- Although 
ho has never fully recovered from the effects of the 
wounds, on partially regaining his health and 
strength he at once joined his command. At the 
battle of Sterling Farm almost the entire regiment 
was captured, only twenty esca|)ing, among whom 
was ^Ir. Edmonson. After three years of faithful 
service in which he was ever found at his post of 
duty ably defending the old flag, he received his 
discharge in Mobile, Ala., July 10, 18C5. 

When the war was over, Mr. Kilmonson returned 
to his home and resumed farming on his father's 
farm. Later he (lurchased the interest of the other 
heirs in the oM homestead and is now the owner of 
three hundred and twenty acres of well cultivated 
land upon which are many line improvements in- 
cluding a commodious and tiwty residence, sub- 
stantial outbuildings, etc. Fences diride the land 



into fields of convenient size and as the result of 
the industry and enterprise which are prominent 
characteristics of the owner, lie is now one of the 
substantial citizens of the community. In addition 
to the cultivation of the land he aiao gives con- 
siderable attention to stock- raising, making a 
specialty of thoroughbred merino sheep from 
which he shears eleven and twelve iwiinds to the 
lleeee. He also keeps on hand Ihoioiighbrcd Berk- 
shire hogs and his other farm stock is in keeping 
with that already mentioned. 

On January 7. 186H. Mr. Edmonson was united 
in marriage with Miss Sarah L. Woods, daughter of 
A. H. and Elizabeth (Meek) Woods, of Van Buien 
County. They hold a high position in the social 
world, ranking among the resiiected citizens of the 
county. Mr. Edmonson has taken considerable in- 
terest in civic societies, now holding membership 
with the Odd-Fellows, of ^'ernon .and also belongs 
to Shriver Post, No. 177. G. A., R. of Mt. Vernon. 
He was also an active member of the Grange and 
of a society for the prevention of theft, known as 
the Anti Horse-Thief Society. In political senti- 
ment he is a stalwart Republican and has frecjucntly 
served as delegate to tlie county convention, while 
for six years be has held the (jfiice of County Com- 
missioner, proving .an able official. Churches, 
schools and all huidable institutions receive his 
hearty support and he may well be ranked among 
the lepreseutative men of Washington Township. • 



^£ 



E^^^ 




,E_^ON. ABNER HARRISON McCRARV. 

""" who is now living a retired life in Pleasant 
Hill. Van Bnren County, is numbered not 
only among the prominent citizens of this 
community, but is widely known among the older 
settlers of the Slate, he himself being one of the 
early frontiersmen. His life is prominently con- 
nected with its history, his aid has been given for 
its advancement and progri'ss. mid in its legislative 
halls he served a-i an hoiuued member. 

Mr. McCrary was born in Vanderburg County, 



320 



POHTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Ind..on the *23cl of February, 1814. In that early 
period in the history of the Indiana Territory the 
facilities for securing; an education were very poor, 
and as he had no means witli which to attend the 
colleges of the East, his advantages were necessa- 
rily limited. His boyhood d.iys were spent in a 
manner similar to that of all lads in a like condi-. 
lion, and on attaining to mature years he started 
out in life for himself. On the Gth of February, 
18:54, he was united in marriage with Miss Kercissa 
Manguni, and they began their domestic life in 
Gibson County', where Mr. Mct'rary Ijegan clear- 
ing and developing a farm lying along the banks 
of Big Creek, but the situation was not a healthful 
one. the fever and ague seemed fastening itself upon 
them, and in the fall of 1835, in order to avoid its 
ravages, they sold out and started for the West. 
They first made a location in McDonough County, 
111., where lliey spent the winter in a schoolhouse, 
as the immigration to that part of the country had 
t)een so great in the previous few months that no 
dwelling coidd be obtained. Mr. JMcCrary at once 
began the erection of a cabin on what was known 
as tliO military tract, but before the new home was 
completed, on the 4th of April, 1836, there was 
born unto them in the little schoolhouse a son. Not 
lung afterward, however, they were installed in 
their new home. Great dilliculty was experienced 
by llie settlers of that day in procuring their claims 
and Mr. McCrary shared in llie disadvantages which 
fell lo tlie lot of many. After having made con- 
siderable improvement and occupied his new home 
a year, the agent who had the land in charge visited 
the settlement and put such a high price upon the 
property that our subject felt unable to pay the 
sum. It certainly was a most discouraging inci- 
dent, and with lillle hope of better success he Irav- 
ek'd over portions of McDonough, Hancock, Adams 
and Warren Counties, but everywhere met with the 
same dilliculty. 

After some time spent in this manner, Mr. JIc- 
Crary became satisfieil that lie could not find a home 
in that localily. and coneUided to cross the Father 
of Waters to what was known as the Black Hawk 
purchase, and see if he could not meet with better 
success in that region. Accordingly, in the winter 
of 183G-37. accompanied by his brother, J. C. Mc- 



Crary. and his wife's brother, A. W. Maagum, he 
started for Iowa. There were at that time twelve 
inches of snow upon the ground, but with tools, 
bedding and ten days rations for man and beast. 
they started out. their vehicle being a wagon box 
placed on runners. At Warsaw they crossed the 
Mississippi River on the ice, and in the same man- 
ner made their way up the Des Moines River about 
forty miles, until reaching what is now the center 
of ^'an Buren County. Driving inland for a few 
miles they located on the south side of the river, 
but here also expeiienced some dillicult3' which was 
occasioned bj^ land speculators who traveled llu'ough 
the country, marking out the land into large tracts 
which they would sell at their own price to stran- 
gers who were desirous of locating in piece. This 
pra-Jtice was carried on to such an extent that it 
became necessary to adopt by-laws to regulate their 
conflicting interests. By the new law one man 
could not hold more than a quarter-section of land 
unless he bought it. This i)roved but partially 
successful, however, as the speculators would com.- 
bine and claim the best portions of the country, 
trading between one another so as to evatle the law. 
Much advantage was taken in this manner of those 
who wished to makes homes in the community, but 
Mr. McCrarj' and his comrades were not so easily 
deterred from the object of their trip to Iowa. 
They informed them.selves in relation to the claim 
law in order to know what they were requiied to 
do, then located land and remained on the same 
until they had erected cabins, .vhen they returned 
to Illinois. 

In the spring of 1837, accompanied by his faith- 
ful wife, Mr. McCrary started for the new home m 
the wilds of the Black Iluwk purcli.ase, which was 
then a part of the Territory of Wisconsin, arriving 
at their destination on the 23d of April. A little 
log cabin in the midst of a grove of timber, and fiir- 
nisheil with few- of the comforts of life, was their 
home. Their neighljors were far distant, and fre- 
quently the red men would be among their visitors; 
man}^ privations and hardships were to be endured, 
difHculties and obstacles were to be overcome, and 
the work which lay before them of tieveloping a 
farm was no e.isy task, but though the path was a 
rugged one. it led to a home and competence, and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



32i 



ever looUini;' fdrwiufl to tlio result to be :itl!iiiic<l. 
their lianlslii|is seemed the liulitor. They have pros- 
pered since eoining to ^'an liuren County, and Mr. 
McCrary is niitnbered among the substantial citizens 
of the eoniinunily. yet success has not always been 
attendant upon his footsteps. During the years of 
183!), ISIO and 1841, a financial i)anic was upon 
the country, tlie effects of which were felt by many 
of the early settlers. In fact some were unable to 
pay for their lands, and Mr. McCrnry, with others. 
determined to secure only eighty acres, antl availed 
himself of the |)re-emption law to secure that 
amount. However, by industry and economy he 
had saved sullicient to purchase another eighty 
eight}' acres, andliis ho[)e of procuring a home for 
his family was at length realized. He continued 
his farming operations for many years, and l)ecanie 
the owner of one of the finest countrj' homes in 
the county. His zeal and energy ])aved the way to 
success, and as the result of his earnest efforts he se- 
cured a property which now pluces him in comfor- 
table circumstances and enables him to live in retire- 
ment from the busy cares of life. 

Mr. McCrary has not labored alone for his own 
interests, but has been a prominent man in public 
places, and while serving in otlicial capacities has 
aided greatly in the advancement of the county's 
interests. In the year 1841 he was elected Justice 
of the Peace, a position which he held through suc- 
cessive elections for eight years. In 1848 ho re- 
presented Van Riiren County In the State Legisla- 
ture, being the first to hold the office after the 
adoption of the constitution. He was a member 
of the (General Assembly when the dilliculties arose 
in relation to the l)Oundary between Iowa and Mis- 
souri. He was an opposer of the first constitution of 
Iowa in consequence of its limitation of the western 
boundary line of the State, and voted for the con 
siitution which is now in vogue. In 1850 Mr. Mc- 
Crary was again elected a member of the General 
Assembly, and during that session the revised code 
was ailopted. So ably did he rejjresent his con- 
stituents in the Lower House that in 1852 he was 
elected to the Stale Senate. Dnringthat term pro- 
visions were made for removing the capital to IJes 
Moines, and making an appropriation of the old 
Stale House in Iowa City for a Stale I'niversily. 



In 18(;(i he again served as State .Senator, in the 
term which eml)raced the [leriod of the war, and 
when the duties of the legislators were fraught 
with deep interest and often times with peril. He 
was chairman of the Senate committee to wliich was 
referred the first bill in Iowa asking for a Sund.ay 
law. On the same committee, and opposed to Mr. 
McCrary .as a Christian man. was a radical infidel, 
wiio did all in his power to |)revent the passage of 
the bill, but through the instrumentality of our 
subject and other friends of the measure it became 
a law. 

In the fall of 18;$;!, when a young man of nine- 
teen years. Jlr. McCrary made the good confession 
and united with the Christian Church. Although a 
busy man. his time well taken up b}- business and 
political interests, he has ever found time to devote 
to religious work. With the Bible as a guide, and 
with its promises and precepts ever before him. his 
course has been such as to win him the respect and 
highest regard of all with whom he came in con- 
tact. Not ashamed or afraid to express his views, 
he has ever taken his stand on the side of right and 
opposed the wrong. While a member of the Legis- 
lature, in addition to his favoring a bill for the 
Sundaj' law, he did much in that important position 
for the cause of Christianity, and so pronounced 
was he on the side of morality that he was never ap- 
proached by those who were willing to make of 
politics a corrupt thing or a means of securing 
money. About the 3-ear 1858 he was chosen one of 
the KIders of the Christian Church, of Pleasant 
Hill, and in that capacity faithfully served for many 
years, having the approval of the congregation. 
In his Christian life, as in his business life, he has 
met with failures, yet he has proflteii b}- experience 
and with pure motives pressed onward. Charitable 
and benevolent, the poor find in him a friend, -the 
discouraged, a sympathizer. 

The following children were born of the union 
of Mr. and Mrs. McCrary : William M.. born in 
McUonough County, III., April 4, 183G, is non- 
living in Council Bluffs; Marietta, born in Van 
Btircn Comity. October 24. 18;J8. is the wife of 
.1. W. Garvin, of Edgar, Cla}' County, Neb.; .lames 
N., born .Vpril 17. 1841, is a resident of Chicago; 
i\.. .lasper, born March 20, 1844, is an attornej'-at- 



32:z 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



law of Keokuk, Iowa; LucindaC, born October 15, 
1846, died December 22, 1848; Curtis R., born 
April 1. 1840. ifs liviii},' in Van Huren County; Ira 
C, l>orn January 4. 18.02, is a salesman in the em- 
ploy of Kdwin Manning, at Douils Station. 

In the spring of 1870. Mr. McCrary purchased 
property in Pleasant Hill, and tliu following Octo- 
ber removed with his wife to that town, where they 
have since matlc their huine. This worthy couple, 
who have traveled life's journey together for fifty- 
four ye.irs. are widely and favorably- known 
thruugliout the entire community, and it is with 
[ileasure that we record their sketch in the history 
ofllieir adopted county, with the growtli and pro- 
gress of which they have been so closely and promi- 
nently connected. 



iy^. ON. GEORGE G. WRIGHT, an eminent 
jV jurist and a pioneer lawyer of Iowa, a for- 
mer citizen of Van lUircn County, is a na- 
)l tive of Indiana, having been born in the 
town of Hloomington, Monroe County, on the 
2llh of Ma-ch, 182(1. Ills father, John Wright, 
was a native of Pennsylvania, and was of Welsh 
descent, the family dating its origin in America 
back to the year 1720, when the founder, an emi- 
grant from Wales, settled in Pennsylvania. John 
Wright was a mason by trade, and in earl}- life 
married .Miss Rachel Seaman. His death occurred 
in Bloominglon, Ind., in 1825, when our subject 
was but live years of age. Jlrs. Wright survived 
her husband many years. She came to Iowa in 
its Territorial days, an<l died in Keosauqua, in 
1850. 

George G. Wriglit was educated in the State 
University of Indiana, being graduated in the class 
of '.39, while in his twentieth year, after which he 
read law at Rockville, Ind., under the tutelage of 
his brother, .loseph A. Wright, afterward Governor 
of Indiana, and was admitted to the bar in the 
.State Courts of that State in 1840. In September 
of that year he came to the Territor}- of Iowa, and 



in November established himself in practice in 
Keosauqua. then one of the most i)romising towns 
in the Territor}'. A thorough Whig in political 
sentiment, the young lawyer at once took promi- 
nence in his party, and was chosen Prosecuting 
Attorney of his county; he was also elected to the 
State .Senate for the term of 1848 and 18.00. In 
the latter year he was the Whig candidate for 
Congress in a district comprising the whole south- 
ern half of Iowa, but the waning strength of the 
party was not equal to the task of electing him, 
although his vote exceeded that of the general 
ticket. In January, 1855, and white yet under 
thirty-five years of age, his ability and learning as 
a lawyer and his person.al popularit}- led to his 
election as Chief Justice of Iowa, to which position 
he was re-elected, holding the office tor a period of 
fifteen years, or until 1870, when he was elected 
to the United States Senate. At the close of his 
Senatorial term, Judge Wright declined a re-elec- 
tion, preferring, as more congenial, the practice 
of his profession to the more exciting arena of 
politics. 

'•His lime on the Supreme Bench covers the 
most important period in the judicial history of 
the State. The adoption of the Code sj'stem and 
judicial construction of it is embr.aced in it. Judge 
Wright's opinions will be found in all the Iowa 
Reports from Volume 1 to Volume 30, and the 
lawyer, whether he be in Iowa, Maine, California 
or elsewhere, will lind in those volumes precedents 
on general law that he may cite with confidence to 
any court, assured that the}' will be acce[)ted with 
respect and will carry weight and authority with 
them." 

Ten years after his election to the Supreme 
Bench, Judge Wright removed from Keosaucpia to 
Des Moines, which has since been his r.onie. In 
the fall of that year he associated with himself 
Judge Chester C. Cole, of the same court, in the 
organization of the Iowa Law .School (the first 
law school west of the Mississippi River). Judge 
Wright had had a number of students in bis office 
during the two or three years preceding, and sev- 
eral applications for a like privilege suggested the 
formation of a school, in which, during the first 
year, twelve students pursued the study of law 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



323 



iniiliT the tutelaj^e of tliesp two gentlemen, the)' 
being the only instructors. At the opening of the 
second year. Prof. William G. Hammond became 
connected with the scliool. giving it a constant per- 
sonal atlention, which the judicial duties of the 
other professors did not permit them to render; 
and the three men carried the enterprise through 
the two succeeding years with but slight increase in 
the number of students. The merits of the school 
attracted the attention of the bar throughout the 
State, and in 18(!8 the Iowa Law School, by the 
action of the Regents, became a department of the 
State I'niversily, and its instructors still remained 
in charge as its professors, while the prior gradu- 
ates were made Alumni of the University. Prof. 
Hammond removed to Iowa City and was placed 
at the head of the scliool, Judges Wright and Cole 
continuing lo give a portion of their time to its 
service. 

During his labors on the bench, and while en- 
gaged in building up a sound and safe fabric of 
the unwritten law, Juilge Wright found time to 
give, l)y his energy and influence, an impetus to 
many public enterprises .and objects. Prior to the 
organization of the Iowa Law School, he took a 
prominent part in the organization of the State 
Agricultural Society, of which he was President for 
tive years, from 1858 to 1863, thereby fostering 
and encouraging improved methods in all that 
pertains to Iowa's peculiarl)' agricultiirr.l poiuila- 
tion. 

"An earnest patriot, while physical incapacity 
prevented bis entering the arm)-, by word and 
(lee.l he sustained the arm of the (Tovernment in 
the struggle lo save the I'nion, and many a 
soldier drew inspiration from his earnest speech, 
and many a soldier's family found in him a stead- 
fast supporter in time of need. In the Senate, he at 
once became Chairman and member of influential 
committees, and had be not, for reasons wholly 
personal to himself, vclimlarily declined re-elec- 
tion, he would doulHlcss have become one of 
Iowa's famous long-time Senators. Retiring from 
the .Senate, he took the head of the law firm of 
Wright, Gatcli S: Wright, anil again entered the 
practice with his early entliusiasm, and at once 
was felt in the work of his profession. A desire 



for rest and greater quiet induced him in time lo 
seek less engrossing duties, and as the trusted he.ad 
of financial institutions of his cit}-, he now devotes 
such time as he desires to business. Retaining, 
however, bis early love for his profession. Judge 
Wright continues to lecture lo his old law school, 
and for like reasons is actively associated with the 
American Bar Association, of which he was Presi- 
dent from June, 1887, to June, 1888. His wide 
experience as a lawyer, legislator and judge, makes 
his judgment in that body of recognized value, and 
as such is constantly sought and observed. In 
1882 he severed his connection with the law firm 
of which he was the he.ad, and accepted the Presi- 
dency of the Polk County Savings Bank, which 
w.as organized that j'ear, and which position he has 
filled continuously since, covering a period of 
seven years. During the same time he has been 
President of the Security, Loan and Trust Company 
of Des Moines, an important financial institution 
of Polk County. 

Judge Wright was married in \'an lUiren Connty, 
Iowa, on the 19th of October, 1843, to Miss Han- 
nah M. Dibble, daughter of Thomas and Ruth 
(Gates) Dibble. Mrs. Wright was born in Saratoga 
County. N. Y., near the celebrated S|)rings of that 
name, and came to Iowa with her parents in 1839. 
Her family was of Xew Kngland origin, and re- 
moved from Connecticut to New York early in 
the eighteenth century. Judge and Mrs. W^right 
have six children living, four sons and two daugh- 
ters: Thomas S., the eldest, wedded Miss Mar}- 
Tuttlc, is an attorney by profession, and is the 
present solicitor of the Rock Island Railroad for 
Iowa and Illinois, and resides in Chicago; Craig L. 
mairied Miss Kate Van Dyke, and is a practicing 
attorney of Sioux City, Iowa; Mary D., the eldest 
daughter, is the wife of Frank H. Peave)', a grain 
merchant of Jlinneapolis, Minn.: Carroll, who 
married Miss Nellie Elliott, w,as graduated from 
the Iowa Slate University, and also from the Law 
Department of Simpson College, and is a lawyer in 
active practice in Des Mcines; Lucia II. is the 
wife of Kdgar H. Stone, a banker of Sioux City; 
George G. is single and a resident (-f Des Moines. 

Judge Wright is and has been an earnest Kcpiib- 
lican since the formation of the partv. In his 



S24 



PORTRAIT AND HIOGRAPIIICAL ALBUM. 



leligious views he adheres to the Methodist Epis- 
copal Chiircli, under the auspices of which he re- 
ceived his early rellKions traininsir. Mrs. Wrifjlit 
is a iiieinlier of liie rnilarian (. luirch- The .ludfje 
is a member of tlie Independent Order of 0<id 
Fellows, anil enjoj's the distinguished honor of 
lieing one of the three Iowa members from civil 
life, of the Loyal Legion of the United States. 
Almost half a century has passed since he made his 
maiden speech in an Iowa Court. Then this now 
populous and wealthy .Stale was a sparsel^'-settled 
region, with but a portion of its territory open to 
settlement by the whites. During that period his 
name has been honorably associated with the his- 
tory of the bar of Territory and .State, and for 
filteen years he has served with distinction in the 
highest oflice in its .ludiciary. The imprint of his 
legal talent is stamped upon the records and re- 
ports of the .State in a manner that reflects credit 
upon himself and the commonwealth, and will per- 
petuate his memory for all lime. Man\' of the 
most successfid and promising lawyers of the Stale 
were his pupils or were benefited in llieir profes- 
sional education through his efforts in founding a 
law school and his continued interest in the Law 
Department of the State University. His election 
to the Uniteil States Senate was an honor justly 
deserved, and his honorable and upright service in 
that distinguished body fully justified the choice 
of Ills constituents. 

While it is diflicult to write of the living in 
term-s worthy of their merits, virtues and talents, 
wilh()ut incurring the risk of offending with an 
appearance of llaltery. it is nevertheless true that 
in a work like this, that is intended to be a standard 
work of reference for posterity, a true delineation 
of cimracler and a fair representation of the life- 
work of the subject should be presented. We know 
110 reason why we should wail until a m;ui is dead 
to speak the truth of him. 

Judge W'right possesses all the characteristics of 
a great lawyer. Studious by inclination, he is 
well grounded in the law. His mind, always 
active, grasps with force the subject of his 
thoughts, nnd his opinions are expressed in terms 
at once clear, logical and comprehensive. In his 
intercourse'wiih men iiis manner is entirely free 



from ostentation and self-consciousness, but is calm, 
dignified and at the same time evincing an earnest 
cordiality that wins him many friends. The purity 
of his life and his fidelity to every trust have won 
for him the unbounded confidence and respect of 
his fellow. citizens, both at home and abroad. 




rT» URKE HUFFMAN, deceased, was a pioneer 
'-^< of Iowa of 1836, and although his death 



occurred in 18o7, he vvill lie remembered 
by many of the older seltlei's, b_v whom he 
was held in high regard. He was born in liurke 
County. N. C, in 1794, and was the son of Samuel 
Huffman. When a young man he removed to In- 
iliana, and settling in New Alban}', was there mar- 
ried in 1822, to Miss Mary Miller, a native of 
Kentucky, and a daugiitcr of Samuel and Mary 
Jane Miller, who belonged to an early Kentucky 
famil}". Five children were born to Mr. and Mrs. 
Huffman in Indiana. In 1836 they d<;termined to 
cast their lot with the i\arly settlers of the Terri- 
tory of Iowa, and choosing Van Buren County as a 
favorable location, settled in what is now Lick 
Creek Township, where Mr. Huffman spent the re- 
mainder of his life. Here the family circle was 
increased by the birth of four children, making 
nine in all. 

The eldest, Barbara, is the widow of Moses Stan- 
ley, and resides in Appanoose County, Iowa; James 
M. married Kliza lloville, and is living in Butte, 
JMout.; Samuel, who served as a noii-eominissioned 
officer in Comiiau^- F, of the Second Iowa Infantry, 
died at the age of thirty-two years; (George mar- 
ried ^lalvina Pollock, and is living in New Jeru- 
salem. Cal.; Hiatt wedded Vilula R. Goodall, and 
makes his home in Birmingham, Iowa; Mary K. is 
the wife of John Bishop, a resident farmer of 
Lil)erty Township, Jefferson County ; John W. 
married Eudora Biele, and is located in Idaho; 
Frederick 15. was joined in wedlock with ALartha 
Skinner, and is engaged in mercantile pursuits in 



A 



i 



f^ W^ 





J. S. GANT2. 



rORTHAIT AND BIOGKAPIIICAL ALBUM. 



327 



Fairfield; Robert J. II., wlio enlisted in Corap.any 
II, Fifth lovv.a Infantry, died in Andeisonville 
I'rison in 18C4. 

Mv. Huffman, the father of tills family. was .1 Dem- 
ocrat in early life, but wlien tiie Uei)ul)liean party 
sprang into existence be espoused its |)rinc'iples and 
voted for its first Presidential candidate, Fremont, 
in 185G. He was a member of the Baptist Clmrch. 
and his wife beloi;ged to the Methodist Episcopal 
Chinch. Both were worthy citizens and lived up- 
right lives. The husband was ealle<l to his final 
rest in May, 1857, and was survived but a short 
time by his wife, who died in October. 1859. 






^[ 



'^1 ACOB S. GAXTZ. one of the leading livery- 
men of Fairfield was born in Franklin 
County, Ohio, within five miles of Colum- 
bus, November 28, 1835, and is a son of 
.John and Mahala (McLish) Gantz. On the pater- 
nal side the family is of German origin but his 
father was born in Washington County. I'a. After 
ills marriage to Miss McLish, a native of Carroll 
County, Oiiio. they settled in the Keystone State 
but a short time afterwards removed to Franl<lin 
County. Ohio. By trade, he is a cooper, but has 
mailc farming his chief occupation and in the pur- 
suit of tliat branch of industry h:is been (piite suc- 
cessful. His resi<lence in .Jefferson Count}' dates 
from 1850, in whicii year he purchased a farm of 
four hundred acres and located in Locust Grove 
Township, where he continued the care and im- 
provement of liie land until 1880, when he came 
to Fairfield. He is an honored citizen of .lefferson 
Cdunty. whom all respect and esteem. For more 
than twenty years he has served as .lustice of the 
I'eiice and by the promi)tand faithful discharge of 
every duty devolving upon him has won the con- 
fidence and approval of all. In politics he sup- 
ported the Deniiicralic parly until the nomination 
of Frvuiunt. when he voted for that candidate and 
has since suppoitcd the KepiiMican parly. He has 
now reached the ripr old age of eighty-three years 



and his wife is in the seventy-eighth year of her 
age. In their family were four sons and two 
daughters. It is a remarkable fact that all of the 
sons and the husbands of the two sisters served in 
the array during the late war. Martha J., the eld- 
est, is the wifeof K. (j. Deardurff who followed the 
old flag three years; Andrew served the same 
length of time and is now engaged in farming in 
Fairfield Townshi[); Jacob S., is the next younger; 
William, a farmer of this county, enlisted three 
times and served more than fourj'cars; Maria, is 
the deceased wife of Jose|)h Ennis who for three 
years was numbered among the boys in blue; John, 
who w.as in the service but a short time, is now a 
carpenter of Omaha, Neb. 

Attending the common schools of the neighbor- 
hood and aiding in the labors of the farm, such 
was the waj' in which our subject spent his early 
life. As soon as he was old enough be took charge 
of his father's farm and in its management dis- 
pla^'ed much ability. At the age of twenty- four 
years he formed a matrimonial alliance with Louisa 
Smith, a n.ative of Ohio, their union being cele- 
brated December 1, 1859. Two j-ears later, on the 
•2Uh of Novend)er, 1861, feeling the country needed 
the services of all its loyal citizens, he enlisteil in 
Company M, Fourth Iowa Cavalry, and served in 
the Western department, participating in the battle 
of Vicksburg, the two engagements at Jackson, the 
I!ig Blue in Missouri and the battles of Tupelo, 
Giintown and Selma, beside numerous skirmishes 
and engagements of lesser importance. At .Selma 
he h.ad his right arm so shattered by a musket ball 
that amputation was necessary. He was wounded 
about three oclock in the afternoon but did not re- 
ceive medical aid until the next morning. Being 
thus disabled for further duty he returned home 
and received his discharge in August, 1865. He 
held the non-commissioned ollice of corporal. 

Shortly after his return l\Ir. (iantz was elected 
Sheriff of Jefferson County and served for three 
successive terms. On retirement from the ollice be 
purchased the Gantz House, which he carried on for 
ci'diteon years with good success. He then served 
one term as Assessor of Fairfield and for the last 
fifteen years he has been engaged in the livery bus- 
iness, meeting wiih excellent success in that line. 



328 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



He also owns a good farm of one li and red and 
sixt}' acres in Black Hawk Township. 

In 1880, Mr. Gaiitz was called upon to mourn 
the loss of his wife who died on the 4th of 
•Tunc. On the -iSlh of November, 1882, he wedded 
Mrs. Uock, whose maiden name was Margaret 
Vance. By her former marriage she had three 
children— Ettie, wife of Chester Smith; Mabel, and 
Klva L., wife of J. W. Calhoun. The children 
born unto Mr. Ganlz by his first wife are Dr. 
Byron N., of Fairfield; Minnie E., who is engaged 
in teaching school; Ernest C, Grace L., James A. 
and two who died in infancy. 

Mr. Gantz and his wife arc both members of the 
Methodist Church of Fai'field, and in politics he 
is a Republican and a stalwart advocate of party 
principles. He is an honored member of the Gran.l 
Army of the Republic and of the Odd Fellows, hav- 
ing been connected with the latter society for 
thirty-four years. lie is now Commander of 
George Strong Post, No. 19, G. A. K., and feels a 
special interest in that organization where are 
banded together his comrades of the late war, aud 
where aie ever loviuglj' remembered those of their 
number who went forth to battle but never returned. 
Mr. Gantz deserves all honor due to a loyal and 
faithful soldier. He was ever found at his post of 
duly and in the service of his couutry gave his 
good right arm, the most essential member of the 
body in almost whatever business engaged. The 
government,liowever, in recognition of his services 
pays him a pension of S45 per month. 



* | ' ^ l'f ^ 



JsR. ROBERT JONES STURDIVANT, de- 
nj ceased, is numbered among the pioneer 
settlers of Van Buren County and was 
one of its leading citizens. As he was 
widely known and as lie was greatly instrumental 
in the upbuilding of tlie county anil the advance- 
ment of its best interests, we feel this work would 
be incomplete without his sketch, lie was a native 
of Virgiiu:«, Ids birth having occurred in Abingdon, 



on the 18th of September, 1804. Ilis parents were 
Anthony and Jemima (Sheckleford) Sturdivant. 
His father was a highlj' educated man and held a 
professorship in Abingdon College where our sub- 
ject acquired the greater part of his education. 
While yet quite j'oung in j'ears, he went to Sulli- 
van County, Tenn., where he taught school and 
studied medicine. In 1830, he was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Ann Smithson and the following 
year removed with his j'oung wife to Salina. Ind., 
where he embarked in the prosecution of his chosen 
profession. Scarcelj' had the Black Hawk War 
been brought to a close .and the contested tcrritorj- 
opened for settlement, than the Doctor determined 
to seek a home in that locality-. Suiting the action 
to the word, in the autumn of 1836, he started for 
the land beyond the Mississippi and m.ade a settle- 
ment in Van Buren County, Iowa, wliieh was then 
a part of the Territory of Wisconsin. That was 
his last move, for so admirably was he suited and 
so prosperous were his undertakings that he had no 
desire to go elsewhere. He purchased land and 
erected a humble pioneer cabin and like the other 
hardy earl^^ settlers began to develop the wild 
prairie and make a home. The same land on 
which he located was the place of his residence at 
the time of his death yet the changes which h.ad 
there been wrought were ver^- great. 

Sorrow visited the pioneer home in 1843, Dr. 
Sturdivant suffering the loss of his wife and two 
children who were called from this earth to the 
better land. In 1845, he was again married, his 
second union being with Miss Margaret Cavin who 
still survives her husband. A family of sixteen 
children were born unto them but onl3' nine are 
still living. 

The Doctor, by the exercise of thrift and indus- 
try, supi)lementei 'jy good business ability, became 
one of the substantial farmers of Van Buren Coun- 
ty, and as the resuitof his forly-fourycarsof patient 
toil he left his family in comfortable circumstances. 
He was a man of fixed purpose and determination 
and unswerving integrity-. When he believed him- 
self to be in the right nothing could deter him 
from pursuing the path which he had marked out, 
and his upright course won him both the confidence 
and liigh regard of those with whom liusiness or 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALHL'M. 



3zy 



social relations biougiit him in contact. A firm 
believer in tiie truths of the 15ii)le he met dealii 
fearlessly, anticipating joyfully the life beyond the 
grave. The community however, lost one of its 
worthiest citizens, his friends an interesting and 
instructive associate, and his family a devoted hus- 
band and fallier. 

After tiie death of the Doctor, Mrs. Sturdivant 
married George W. Sturdivant, half brother of 
iier former husband, and is now a resident of 
Uonaparte, Iowa. 



^§-J#^-^^^ 



OHN R. BELL, who is engaged in farming 
and stock-raising on section 19, Van Buren 
Township, Van Buren County, is a native 
of Il.incock County, 111. He was born on 
the 14th of November, 183G, the third child of 
James and Barbara (Walker) Bell. His father was 
born in Virginia, July 16, 1813, and in his native 
State in the usual manner of farmer lads spent his 
boyhood dajs. At the age of sixteen years he 
started out in life for himself, going to Campbell 
County, Ky., where he worked as a farm hand by 
the month for four or five years. He then married 
and engaged in farming in his own interest. Re- 
moving to Hancock County in 1836, he there spent 
one year, during which time our subject was born, 
and in 1837 continued his journi'}- westward until 
reaching Van Buren County, Iowa. He was truly 
one of the |)ioneer settlers of this community. At 
that time the work of advancement and progress 
had scarcelj' been commenced, few settlements had 
been made and the countrj- was still inhabited by 
the red men. The land was unsurveycd but Mr. Bell 
made a claim and as soon as it came into market paid 
the Government price for his farm — 81.25 peracre. 
It was a one hundred and tifty-five-acre tract of lim- 
ber land without improvement, but tree after tree 
fell before his ax, the brush was cleared away, the 
ground was plowed, and in the course of lime 
abundant harvests were garneud as the result of his 
labors. That farm.whicli a half century ago was an 



unbroken wilderness, is now the home of oursubj(!ct. 
His father also made many substantial improve- 
ments, including the erection, in 1856, of a good 
brick dwelling. He was a (piiel, unassuming man 
yet just and honorable in all his dealings, winning 
the respect of all with whom he came in contact. 
He voted the Democratic ticket. His death oc- 
curred on the old homestead. April 15, 1872. His 
wife, who was born in Kentucky, May 4, 1810, and 
resided in that State until !:er marriage, was called 
to her final rest October 8, 1862. She was for 
many years an active member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church. Their family numbered six 
children, all of whom grew to mature years, namely ; 
Eli D., a resident farmer of Van Buren Township; 
Rachel D.,wifc of ,J. M. Jackson, of Davis County; 
John R., of this sketch; George W., a farmer of 
Davis County; Sarah E., wife of Jonathan Den- 
ning, a farmer of \'an Buren Township, and H. L., 
now deceased. 

When a babe of five months John R. Bell was 
brought by his parents to Van Buren County, and 
upon the farm which his father cleared and devel- 
oped he has passed his entire life and the old home- 
stead, doubly dear to him, as the dwelling place 
of his parents and the spot where his own boyhood 
days were passed, will doubtless continue to be his 
abiding place until this life shall have ended. lie 
acquired his education in the district schools of the 
neighborhood and, like a dutiful son, assisted his 
father until he had attained to man's estate when 
he began working in his own interests as a farmer. 
Throughout his entire life he has engaged in agri- 
cultural pursuits and in conneclion is now doing a 
good business in the line of stock-raising. He keeps 
on hand a good grade of stock which he is con- 
stantly improving, and is now grading into Short- 
horn cattle and heavy draft horses. 

At the age of twenty-two years, Mr. Beli was 
joined in wedlock with Miss Sarah A. Bridell. of 
this county, daughter of Isaac and Maria (Roach) 
Bridell, both of whom were natives of Indiana. 
Her parents are now deceased. B^- this union were 
born three children: Mariettiv, who became the wife 
of J. G. Hoolman and died leaving one son — 
Wentford R. ; Harriet T., wife of II. S. Beer, of 
Van Buren Townslii|), bj' whom she has one child — 



330 



I'OllTRAIT AND BIOURAI^UICAL ALBUM. 



Van L.; Addic 15., wife of George N. Sheplierd, of 
liiion Townslilp. Van IJiiren County. Tlie mother, 
will) was fi inenil>er of the Methodist Cliiireli, de- 
parted this life July 11. 1871. On the 24th of Jan- 
uary, 1872, Mr. Bell wedded Mrs. Almira Hell, 
widow of II. L. Bell and daughter of Henry and 
Sarah (Knupp) Kimrael. Their union was blessed 
with one child. John .S., who was left motherless 
Seplemlicr IC, 1876. On the 3d of October. 1877, 
Mr. Bell was a third time married, his union being 
with Miss Mary C. Miller, daughter of G. W. and 
Kliza J. (Henry) ]\Iiller. They also had one child, 
a daughter — Carrie M. The parents and the elder 
children are mendiers of the Jlethodist Church, and 
in political sentiment, Mr. Bell is a Democrat. He 
takes an active interest in all that pertains to the 
advancement and welfare of the community and is 
an earnest worker in Ml. Zion Methodist Church, 
being Superintendent of tiic Sunday-school and 
Class-Leader, having acted in that capacity for 
twelve or fifteen years. Few, if any, have been 
longer residents of the county' than he. Its growth 
and advancement he has witnessed, and in its de- 
velopment he has borne no inconsiderable part. He 
has seen towns and villages spring up, has witnessed 
the introduction of the railroad, has seen the es- 
tablishment of churches and schools within its 
borders, while the county has been made to bloom 
and blossom like the rose. 



***>• ■^ii>r^«*^'«?«f-<'*~ 



Ik^A.l. JOHS C. M.CHAKV of Keosauqua, 
I III ^°^'^' "'•"'^ " faithful soldier during the 
J I* struggle for the preservation of the Union, 
" is numbered among the pioneer settlers 

of Van Burcn County and yet ranks among her 
leading and inlhienlial citizens. Two brothers, A. 
H. and .1. C. McCrary came to Iowa when it 
formed a part of the Territory of Wisconsin. Few 
whom they found at that day still survive and those 
who yet remain have but a few years in all proba- 
bility before them, and for the purpose of perpetu- 
ating their memory and the deeds which they per- 



formed we write this volume. Theirs has been a no- 
ble work well done, and to them we owe an un- 
bounded debt of gratitude which can be paid in no 
other way than b^' tlius perpetuating their lives and 
sacredly cherishing their memories. 

The Major is a native of Indiana and a son of 
Rev. John and Ruth (Wasson) McCrar3-. lie was 
born on the 7th of June, 1817, and at the age of 
eighteen years accompanied his parents to McDon- 
ough Count}', 111., but remained in that region for 
only about twelve months. In the winter of 1836- 
;?7, in company with his brother, whose sketch ap- 
pears elsewhere in this volume, he came to Van 
Buren County and made a claim which he pur- 
chaseil at the land sale and which to-day he still 
has in his possession. Obtaining it from the gov- 
ernment, it was consequently' wholly unimproved, 
not a furrow had been turned or the work of de- 
velopment commenced. With Zealand energy he be- 
gan the arduous task of transforming the wild prairie 
into a fertile farm and zealously continued his ag- 
ricultural pursuits until 1861, in which year other 
interests claimed his time and attention. 

The firing upon Ft. Sumter was to Mr. Mc- 
Crary a call to arms, and in the first year of the 
struggle he became a member of Company G, of 
the Third Iowa Cavalry. He was tendered the 
Captaincy of the companj' but thinking himself un- 
fit for that i)osition through inexperience, he con- 
tente<l himself with the office of First Lieutenant 
and with his company vvas mustered into service at 
Keokuk. The regiment was divided into two 
battalions, with one of which Mr. McCrary was 
sent to Kirksville, Mo. At that place Capt. Maine 
was killed ancT lie was promoted to fill the vacancj'. 
The regiment was soon afterwards attached to 
Davidson's Division under Gen. Steele, at Little 
Rock, and in September, 186.3, the brigade was 
moved south to Beaton. Ark., where Capt. Mc- 
Crary was appointed Provost Marshal of that dis- 
trict, in which capacity he served about four 
months. During the time the other battalions 
joined the forces there encamped and were then 
ordered back to Little Rock where a portion of the 
regiment, including our subject.veteranized and re- 
ceived a thirty ihi^ys' furlough. At the expiration 
of that time llicy re-assemliled at Keokuk. Shortly 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



3,31 



afterwanls Maj.Caldwcll,of Ihe Third Iowa Cavalry, 
was promoted to be Lieutenant Colonel of the regi- 
ment and a vacancy thus caused was to he supplied. 
Tiie choice fell upon Capt. McCrary hut hy a no- 
ble sacrifice he surrendered the honor. At that 
time there was but one of the original Captains left 
in ilie regiment — Capt. Muggett, of whom Mr. Mc- 
Crary was a warm personal friend. Realizing that 
his friend might feel offended by his promotion, he 
went to him, stated that the offer was not of his own 
.seeking and told him that he would resign the honor 
to hnn. The Captain replied that he disliked the 
idea of accepting the favor, yet as he had entered 
the service wearing the Captain's stripes he did 
not like to return bearing the same. Through the 
generosity of Mr. McCrary it was arranged that 
Capt. Muggett should be appointed Major, while he 
himself should take charge of the company thus 
left without a leader. Not long afterwards, how- 
ever, Maj. Muggett resigned and our subject was 
promoted to the position. As the Colonel and 
Lieutenant Colonel were then detailed for special 
service, he was left in command of the regiment 
which had previously participated in the hard 
fought battle of Guntown, and also the engagement 
at Tupelo, Miss. They afterwards returned to 
Memphis and were stationed in that city when 
Gen. Forrest made his raid, during which the Third 
Iowa Cavalry succeeded in capturing some of the 
convalescents. In Mem|ihis Maj. McCrary was 
badl\- injured by being thrown from a vicious 
horse which unfitted him for duty for some time_ 
While convalescing he returned home but .as soon 
as possible rejoined his regiment at Memphis where 
lie tendered his resignation, which, however was 
not accepted. At Louisville he again wisiied to 
resio"n and by the advice of the surgeon was dis- 
chari!;e<l on the "iSlli of .lannary, 1865, being phys- 
icallv unable to continue in command. From the 
time of liis enlistinent until mustered out, Maj. 
McCrary proved a faithful soldier and was ever 
found at his post discharging his duties with all 
promptness, lie won alike tlie respect and confi- 
dence of his superior ofliceis and the soldiers under 
him. 

On the loth of August. 1.831), in \an Buren 
County, -Maj. McCrary wedded Miss Keren Leach, 



a native of Virginia and by their union were born 
six children, four of whom are now living — .Mar- 
garet A., wife of William B. Ilamillon of Dakota; 
Abner N., who served through the war in the 
same regiment with his father; Amanda, wife of 
William II. II. Thatcher of Topeka, Kan.; John L. 
who died in November, 18G4; Oscar a resident of 
Van Buren County; and Orriu who is living in 
Nebraska.. 

The Major is a pronounced Republican, un- 
swerving in his support to the party principles an<l 
was honored by an election to the office of Siieriff, 
in which jjosition he served two terms with ricciji 
to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. 



"^v^-v-f-^s" — •*- 



r/r^\ '^II i'JI BROS, is one of the leading business 
^-9 firms of Fairfield, Iowa, being composed 
of Harlan C. and Chester Y. Smith, who are 
the publishers and editors of the Fairfield 
Journal, a daily and weekly paper, which, as its 
name indicates, is published in the county seat of 
Jefferson County. As the Journal is one of the 
leading papers of the county, if not tlio leading, 
we are glad to give a short sketch of it in this work. 
It was first cslabli.'iUed in 1880 with R. H. Moore, 
now of the Ottumwa Uer.iocrat, as proprietor and 
publisher. He conducted it up to the time of 
its transfer to its present proprietors March l.i. 
1880. during which time it gained a good reputa- 
tion and liberal patronage, neither of which has in 
any wi.se diminished since it came under the control 
of the present publishers. The Jowr/ia/ is the only 
daily published in the county. The weekly edi- 
tion is an eight-column quarto and the daily a seven- 
column folio. The paiier is independent in politics 
and is devoted to general and local news and the 
discussion of all public events of interest to the 
people. It has a good circulation and a steady 
growth, and is well worthy the patronage ac- 
corded it. 

The senior member of the firm of Smith Bros. 



332 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



was graduatefl from tlie High School. of Bloom fich). 
and afterward took a special course in the Iowa 
Wesleyan University, of Mt. Pleasant. He also 
learned liis trade in Bloomfield, Iowa, and subse- 
quently engaged in the publication of the AVinston 
Enterprise, of Winston. Mo., until his removal to 
Fuirlield on the l.'jlli of March, 1889, when he pur- 
chased the i/bwjvia/ interest. The younger brother, 
who, prior to his advent into journalism, followed 
the profession of school-teaching and was married, 
on the I81I1 of January, 1890, to Miss Etta Rock, a 
student of Parsons College, is also a graduate of 
the Bloomfield High Sciiool, and for a time was 
a student in Parsons College, of Fairfield. It will 
thus lie seen that the brothers are well fitted for the 
pulilication of thepapei,and combining industry 
and enterprise with their ability in this line, their 
efforts will doubtless be crowned with success. 



-^^-^^ 




EV. DAVID C. S.MITII. a minister of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, formerly a 
resident of Fairfield and father of the Smith 
^'^j Bros, of that place, was born in Perry 
County, Pa., on the 17th of November, 1837, and 
is a son of Daniel and Elizabeth Smith. His par- 
ents were also natives of the Keystone State, but 
the family w.is originally of German descent. Al- 
though his educational advantages in youth were 
meagre, being limited to such as the common 
schools of the d.-iy afforded, he became a well-in- 
formed man. Possessing an observing eye, reten. 
live memory and superior reasoning faculties, he 
gave careful attention to the study of men and 
their manners, read standar<l works and in vari^ 
ous w.iys added to his fund of knowledge until he 
was enabled to te.ich school and subsequently to 
enter upcjn the work of the ministry. 

When a young man of twenty ye&rs the Rev. 
Mr. Smith sought a iionie in Iowa, making his first 
location in Ainswortli, Washington County, where 
he engaged in teaching school. Five years later 
be was admitted to the Iowa Methodist Conference 



and was assigned to Webster as his first charge. 
His entire ministerial labors have been within the 
Iowa Conference and have been productive of 
much good. He has served as Presiding Elder of 
the OsUaloosa District four years, for two years 
was pastor of the church in Fairfield and is now 
pastor of the church in Albia. 

In 1863 the Rev. Mi. Smith was married, in Tri- 
voli, Peoria County, III., to Miss Georgiana Young, 
who was born near Trivoli and is a daughter of 
Capt. Young, a native of Bath, Me. Her father at 
one time followed a seafaring life and was captain 
of a vessel, but afterward abandoned that occupa- 
tion and engaged in inland pursuits. The family 
born of their union numbered five children — four 
sons and a daughter. The eldest, Frank Forest, 
died in infancy; Harlan C. is a member of the firm 
of Smith Bros., publishers and editors of the Fair- 
field Journal; Chester Y. is a partner of his brother; 
Vida F. and Charles V. are still at home. The 
mother, a most estimable lady, died October 12, 
1889. In politics Mr. Smith is a Prohibitionist and 
a member of the Stale Central Committee, ap- 
pointed by the Iowa State Temperance Convention 
of January 9. 1890. His pure, upright life supple- 
menting his earnest and eloquent words in the pul- 
pit have led many to believe in the Word and 
accept the salvation offered them. He is honored 
in whatever community he makes his home and it is 
with pleasure that we record this sketch. 



ACHARIAH TAYLOR LEWIS, present Re- 
corder of Jefferson County, Iowa, and a 
resident of Fairfield, is now serving his 
third term and sixth year in the above position. 
He is a native of Iowa, born in Van Buren County, 
October 9, 1847. He is second in order of birth 
of a family of twelve children born unto Owen and 
Margaret D. (Jackson) Lewis, who are numbered 
among the early settlers of Iowa. His father was 
born in Shelby County, Ind., December 9, 1821, 
and is a son of William Lewis, who served in the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



333 



War of 1812. The family immigrated to the 
AVest from >>'ew England, where the original ances- 
tors had probably settled in a very early day. 
Owen Lewis came to Iowa on the 20th of IMarcli, 
1837. Margaret D. Jackson was born in Ran- 
dolph County, N. C, February 8, 1824, ar.d came 
with her parents. David ami Sarah .Tackson. to Iowa 
July 4, 183G. They first settled in Lee County, and 
a few years later removed to Jefferson County. 
Owen Lewis, and Margaret D. Jackson, were mar- 
ried iu Jefferson County on the 28tli of May 
1844. They are still residents of this county, mak- 
ing tlieir home iu Liberty Townsliip, and are num- 
bered among the highly respected citizens of the 
community. Mr. Lewis has lived the life of a 
quiet unassuming farmer, su|>porling the Republi- 
can party since its formation, but taking no special 
interest in politics. 

The childhood and youth of our subject were 
spent in Liberty Township, in a manner similar to 
that in which all farmer Lads pass their lime. His 
primary education w.as acquired in the common 
schools of the neighborhood and supplemented by 
a course in the Academy of Birmingham. He then 
started out in life for himself and up to the time 
when he entered upon his official duties as County 
Recorder, was engaged in farming and teaching. In 
the autumn of 1884. his name was placed before 
the people as a candidate of the Republican party 
for the office of Recorder of Jefferson County, and 
being elected by a handsome majority he entered 
upon the discharge of his duties on the 1st of Jan- 
uary, 1885. So ably did he fill the office that he 
was re-elected in 1886, and again in 1888, and is 
now serving his sixth year in the same position. 
His time and attention is devoted alu.ost exclu- 
sively to the business connected with it and lie has 
therefore proved a competent official. 

In Black Hawk Township on December 1. 1886, 
Mr. Lewis was joined in wedlock with Miss Mary 
J. Minter. a native of this county, and a daughter 
of Jame3 Monroe and Hannah L. (Trail) .AI inter. 

David K. Minter, the grandfather of Mrs. Lewis, 
was born in Virginia in 1810. and when a child re- 
moved with his parents to Tennessee, and there 
grew to manhood. Having attained his majority, 
he went to Jacksonville, 111., where lie taught 



school forsomeyears. He subsccpicnily removed to 
Iowa, settling near Mt. Pleasant, where he wjis mar- 
ried in 1839. In 1842, he came to Jefferson 
County, locating in Penn Township,where his death 
occurre<l, December 9, 1888. J.ames M. Minter 
was born in Penn Township in 1843. He served 
.as a soldier during the late Civil War. in'Company 
V, Eighth Iowa Infantry. In 1865, he wedded 
MLss Hannah L. Trail, who lived but a few years, 
and after her death removed to Nebraska where he 
still resides. Mrs. Minter wjis born in 1846; her 
parents were natives of Maryland and settled in 
W.ashington County. Iowa, in 1858, and two years 
later l(;cated in Jefferson County. 

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis has been 
blessed with two children: Lila May, born May 
1. 1888, and Charles M., born June 13, 1890. They 
have a wide circle of friends and acquaintances in 
Fairlield and Jefferson County, and well deserve 
the high regard in which they are held by all who 
know them. 



o<r>o 



"oSo" 



OHN W. CULBERT.SON, decease.l, w.as 
born in Westmoreland County, Pa., July 7. 
1807. His father, Hon. Hugh Culbertson, 
/ was born in Franklin County, Pa., but 
reared in Westmoreland County, and was of Scotch 
descent. He wedded Miss Jane Welch, a native of 
Lancaster County, Pa., and after their marriage 
they removed to Wayne County, Ohio, in 1823. 
Both were .active members of the Presbyterian 
Church and their .active consistent Christian lives 
won them the high regard of the entire community. 
He was an extensive farmer and for many years 
held the office of County Judge. His death oc- 
curred in the eighty-first year of his age and his 
wife w.as called to her final rest while in her seven- 
tieth year. 

Our subject was the fourth in a family of twelve 
children and in the usual manner of farmer lads his 
early life was spent. He received a limited educa- 
tion in the district schools of the neighborhood, be- 
came familiar with all the details and routine of 



334 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



fairn life. Imt upon reaehins,' manliocul he Uirnetl 
his uUention to meiTlinncHsin^ wliicii lie followerl 
in Woostcr, Ohio, his family having removed 
to Wayne County when he w.is a lad of sixteen 
summers. For a eompaniiin in life's journey he 
chose .Missl<:ilzal)eth A. Kagic, daughter of William 
and Rachel (Anderson) K.agle, and on the 22nd of 
January. 1«:U. their marriage was celebrated. She 
was born in Wayne County, February 20, 1811. 
and her i)arents were natives of Virginia, her father 
having been born near Ilagerslown and her mother 
near Cri.sjU()to\vn. Her i)aterual gran(li)areiils were 
both natives of England, but in youth came to this 
country and settled in Virginia where they were 
married. Her grandmother Anderiion was also a 
native of Fnglan<l but her luisban<l was of Scotch 
extraction. Mrs. Culbertson's parents are num- 
bered among the early settlers of the Huckeye State. 
The3' were married in Lancaster County and sub- 
sequently removed to Wayne County, where Mr. 
Eagle followed farming until 1840, which j-ear wit- 
nessed the removal of himself and family to Mis- 
souri. He died in Kirksvil'e. that State, at the age 
of eighty-one j'cars and his wife dieil near Macon 
City, Mo., in lier iiinely-tliird year. As they were 
worthy citizens tieep regret was felt at their loss for 
they had many warm friends. The husband was 
a Democrat in politics and in pursuit of fortune 
followed farming tliroughout his eutire life. Both 
he and his wife were members of the Jlethodist 
Episcopal Church. Of their family' of seven chil- 
dren, consisting of three sons and four daughters, 
only three are now living — .^lary, the widow of 
Jonathan Montgomery, who resides at Macon, Mo.; 
Hon. Thomas A., who is a medical practitioner bj' 
profession, of Macon County. Mo.: and Elizabeth 
A. wife of our subject. 

Mr. and Mrs. Culbertson removed to Gilead, 
Wood County, Ohio, where for some time he en- 
gaged in merchandising and also held the office of 
Postm.aster. In 18:58. he removed to Lawrence 
County, III., and the following year made a trip 
to Iowa in search of a location. The country and 
its prospects were all that he anticipated and bein"- 
favorably imi)ressed with the surroundings lie de- 
termined to make Jefferson County his future home. 
It is needless to say th.at he had no occasion to re- 



gret the step thus taken. Accompanied bj- his wife 
he landed in Fairfield on the 6th of February. 1840. 
He purchased a claim of three hundreil and twen- 
ty-five acres for $400, entered it when the land 
came into market and in the cjurse of time had a 
fine home, highly cultiv;ite(i and with splendid im- 
provements thereon, adding both to its value and 
attractiveness. Prosperity attended his footste|)s 
as a reward for his labor and zeal and at his death 
"he left his family well provided for. 

To 'Mr. and Mrs. Culbertson were born two cliil- 
ren: William B., now a prominent lawyer of Bur- 
lington; and Edward B., who died when about 
twenty-four years of age. The record uf this fam- 
ily during the early j^ears of their residence in Jef- 
ferson County, is one of interest and serves to il- 
lustrate the gensral condition of affairs at that 
time. When Mr. Culbertson and his wife came to 
Fairfield tliej' stopped first at the tavern, a house 
20x20 feet with puncheons overhead to furnish a 
sleeping apartment. Between twent3- and thirty 
boarders were aceomraodated, or rather lodged, for 
such clofc quarters could hardly be designated ac- 
cominodations. Not relishing such a life Mr. Cul- 
bertson rented a little log cabin but the shelter it 
afforded was very iiielHcient. His wife was in deli- 
cate he.-illh and the wonder is that she ever sur- 
vived the winter. One iiiglit she awakeneil and said 
to her husband that it must be snowing, whcreuiKui 
he sprang from his bed and found himself several 
inches in snow. For the use of that cabin the3' paid 
*;■) per month. Thej- soon, however, built a two 
roomed house but it became too cold to conijjlete the 
work, so they tacked clapboards over the cracks as 
best they could and moved in. There vvas no fur- 
niture in Fairfield, so the}' went to Burlington and 
bought all of the saleable furniture the place con- 
tained, amounting to a bed, table.and a set of chairs 
but the people were very neighborly and would 
share with one another any available thing. Mrs. 
Culbertson had a small copper kettle in which the 
entire cominunit}' made preserves. Mrs. M. E. 
AVoods possessed a large brass kettle, which all 
used in washing and Mrs. Dr. Moberly furnished 
the neighborhood with a large iron soap keltic. A 
feeling of kindliness and friendliness then existed, 
such as is uncommon at this day, and no one felt 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



335 



that lie could selfishly keep for his own use any nr- 
licle which his neighbors were not fortunate enough 
to possess. 

Time brings changes of wiiich even the niostfar- 
siglited did not dream and the once sjiarsely set- 
tled region has been transformed into a county in 
in many respects second to none in the State, which 
is inhabiteil by a contented and intelligent people, 
whose well cultivated farms and comfortable homes 
spcaU of thrift and industry. Changes came also to 
Mr, ;iiid and Mrs. Culbertson and success crowned 
their efforts. yielding them a comfortable income of 
which they ever gave liberally for charitable 
ami benevolent purposes and for the advancement 
of such enterprises as are calculated to benefit the 
community. Mr. Culbertson w.asalso called upon to 
serve in oflicial positions. He was receiver at the 
land oflice at Fairfield until its removal from the 
citv, was County Clerk for a number of 3'ears and 
was a member of the Territorial Legislature. In 
polities he atfiliated with the Democratic party and 
socially was an Odd Fellow. He died May 8, 1S«;}, 
lamented by a gr.iteful people. Mrs. Culbertson 
still lives, honored and loved by all who knew her. 
For sixty-two years she has been connected with 
the Methodist Church, being one of the five charter 
members of that denomination in Fairfield, ami the 
onlv one vet living. 



A\'ll) DIKK. whois the owner of a good 
farm of one hundred and sixty-eight .acres 
on section 2; Black Hawk Township, Jefifer- 
son County, was born in N'irginia. February 3. 
1825. The famdy is of Irish origin and was 
founded iu America by .Jaines Duke, the grand- 
father of our subject, who emigrated from the 
(ireen Isle of Krin to the New World, in the eight- 
eenth centuiy. His son, Thomas, a Virginian by 
birth, learned the cooper's trade in his youth and 
in connection with that occupation operated a 
small farm in bis native .State, but after his emi- 
gration to Ohio, about the year 1M53. he devoted 



himself exclusively to agricultural pursuits. He 
served in the War of 1812, and soon after his re- 
turn from the army married Miss .Sidney' Johnston, 
who belonged to an old Virginian family. Tlirj' 
were the parents of the following children, the two 
eldest of whom, James an<l Susan, are now deceased ; 
Thomas is living in \'irginia; David is the next 
younger; Mary J. is the wife of Jacob Drenner, 
of Kansas; Sarah J. is the wife of Fhvood Johnson, 
of Iowa; Emily married Benjamin Ritt, of \'ir- 
ginia; Hugh R. is living in Woodburn, Iowa; 
Catherine and Julia are deceased; and Luther L. 
is a resident of .Jefferson County. 

In his 3'outh David Duke received a good Eng- 
lish education, but otherwise his advantages were 
limited, as his father was in limited circumstances, 
had a large family dependent upon him for support 
and. therefore, could not provide his children 
with better opportunities. At the age of seven- 
teen years David bade good-by to his home, left 
the parental roof and started out in life for him- 
self. He became the manager of a large planta- 
tion, of which he had charge three years, and tlien 
spent the succeeding five years in travel. On the 
5th of March, 1857, he was united in marriage 
with Miss Phoebe Hone, of Ohio, and five days 
later, accompanied by his bride, started for the 
West. He made a settlement in Washington County, 
Iowa, but after renting a farm for two years came 
to Jefferson Conntj- and shortly afterward juir- 
chased land in Keokuk County just .across the di- 
vision line. He there made his home until 187C, 
when he purchased eighty-eight acres of land on 
section 2, Black Hawk Township, to which he has 
since added another eighty-acre tract. He was also 
owner of an additional quarter-section of land, 
but that he divided among his children. His farm 
is one of the best in the neighborhood, a fine resi- 
dence, good barns and outbuildings, the latest im- 
proved machinery and well-tilled fields all indicat- 
ing the thrift and enterprise of theowner,wlio ranks 
among the leading agriculturists of Jefferson 
County. He is an intelligent and successful busi- 
ness man. who identifies himself with the best in- 
terests of the community, and is ever ready to aid 
in the promotion of such enterprises as will .ad- 
vance the general welfare. In political sentiment 



336 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Ml. Duke is n Democrat. Iml siiiiiuirtcd Pivsi<Unl 
Lincoln ami his .iilminisliiilinn (lmiii<j tlic war. 
lie lias ropresenterl bis township in the conventions 
of his party, but believing it to be more profitaltle 
to Hevote his lime and energies to his business, 
has never souglil political preferment. Socially, 
he is n Royal Arch Mason and his wife is a mem- 
ber of the Methodist Cluiich. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Duke have been born .^even 
children— William, who was born Decern lur 0. 
IK,')?, and was lil)erally educated, having l>een a 
student in the college at I'ella. is now a farmer of 
"Woodburn, Iowa; Waller, born .March H, 1858, 
was also afforded ample opportunity for securing 
an education, and is a leading farmer of Keokuk 
County; Artemesia is the wife of Eli Kmery. of 
Ulack Hawk Township ; Herod, who was gradu- 
ated from the Klliott Business College, of Bur- 
lin<;t<.n, Iowa, is a hardware nier<l;anl of Iledrick; 
Minnie, Frank and Krcd. the latter twins, are tlie 
younger members of the family, and are still with 
their parents. 



•^^ 



E^^ 



*^ OBKRT TILKOKI) CILMKR. Among the 
most prosperous ami successful farmers of 




:§'^ \Vi Jefferson County, as well as one of the 
aC^ earliest i)ioneers,niust be classed the worthy 
citizen whose name heads this sketch. He is a na- 
tive of Adair County, Ky., his birth having there 
occurred on .lanuary "21. 1817. His parents, James 
and Elizabeth (Tilford) Gilmer, were also natives 
of Kentuckj' and their sketch appears elsewhere in 
this work. 

Our subject was reared to iigricullural pursuits 
and received a common-school education. AVhen in 
his twentietli year he accompanied his parents to 
Iowa, driving an ox-team all the way, wliile his 
sisters rode on horseback the entire distance. 
Starting in the fall of 1836. they traveled as far as 
McDonough County, III., where tiiey spent the win- 
ter, resuming their jo\irney the following spring. 
In April, 1837, tlicv anivcil at their destination in 



Jefferson County and during the suvceeding few 
years Mr. (iilmcr assisted his father in erecting 
buildings and improving and carrying on tlie farm. 
On December 11, 1855, he was married near Ber- 
lin, Sangamon County, III., to Miss Anna C. Scott, 
a daughter of Andrew Scott and a sister of Alex- 
ander and James L. Scott, who w?re prominent 
pioneers of Ft. Des Moines, now the capital city of 
Iowa. The lady was born in Crawford County, 
Iml., and rcnioved witii her pariMits to lllinoi-; when 
but three years of age. 

Mr. (iiimor and wife began their (Kuneslic life in 
Round I'rairie Townsliip, where lie was extensively 
engaged in farming and stock-raising for some 
time. Three children were lK)rn of their union — 
twin daughters who die<I in infancy, ami a son, 
Frank, who was born in Round Prairie Township, 
March 2, 1858. He was reared to farm life, edu- 
cated in the schools of Round I'rairie Township 
and Fairfield, and is now residing with his parents 
in the city of Fairfield. Through industry nnd 
judicious management, Mr. (iiinicr increased his 
possessions until ho now owns three«large and hand- 
somely improved farms, well stocked and fitted out. 
Two of these farms lie adjacent in Round Prairie 
Township and aggregate nine hundred and sixty 
acres; the other is situated in Cedar Township and 
contains three hundred and sixty acres, making 
a total of thirteen hundred and twenty acres, 
besides which he has a homestead plat of six 
acres witli a tine residence in the city of F;iirfield. 
The original cost of the city propeity was ^'f'.OOO 
but has increased in value since coming into pos- 
session of its present owner wlio has added many 
improvements thereto. The farming lands, judg- 
ing from the present prices of real estate (which 
are now low) are worth from ^.'io to ^-iO per acre. 

Mr. (iilmer is a Republican buthas never sought 
any political office. He once served a term of two 
years as a member of the Board of County Com- 
missioners, but accepteil the ollice against his wish 
and inclination and could never again be induced 
to serve in a public position. His wife is a member 
of the Christian Church and has been connected 
witli that denomination for many years. It is with 
pleasure that we present to tiie readers of the 
Albu.m this brief sketch of the life work of Mr. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



337 



(lilmer, who has been a resiflont of .Tefferson 
County for fifty-three years and is one of the very 
few left of its earliest settlers. Ilis life has been a 
biis\- and useful mie, and lie is now at tlie age of 
seventy-throe years, still active, both mentally and 
physieally. lie removeil to the city expecting to 
lay aside all business and secure relief from the 
care of his three iary;e farms, but he still finds 
himself doinir as much work as a man of middle 
age ordinarily performs. 



^^ 



ALFRED .lOHNSOX, residing on section 13, 
Locust Grove Township, .Jefferson County 
is the owner of a fine farm of three hundred 
and sixty acres, and in connection vith its cultiva- 
tion is engaged in raising line stock. Mr. .John- 
son is of Swedish birth &nd is a son of a Swedish 
farmer and stock-buyer. Yohnz .Johnson, who spent 
his entire life in his native hinil, dying iu 184.5. His 
wife, whose maiden name was Mary Clioron, sur- 
vived him some twenty' years. 

Alfred was a lad cif twenty years when he left 
the Fatlicrlanil for America. In company with 
three companions, he crossed the Atlantic in a sail- 
ing-vessel and after a voyage of twenty-one daj's 
landed in New York City. lie Immediately quitted 
the Eastern metropolis and sought a home in the 
West, his destination being Jefferson County, Iowa, 
where a colony of Swedish emigrants had located 
some years previous. He h.ad been liberally edu- 
cated in his native land but iu no other way, ex- 
cept by the possession of a deter.-nined will and 
energy, was he fitted for the battle life. His cash 
capital consisted of but twenty-five cents, yet un- 
daunted by the formidable task which lay before 
him, he sought work and laid the foundation for 
future success. For some time he w.as employed as 
a farm hand, continuing that labor until he could 
engage in business for himself. 

In Fairfield, in IHG.i, Mr. .Johnson was united in 
marri.age with Mrs. Lucinda Johnson, a native of 
Sweden. She came to this county in 1846. By her 



fc^rmer marriage she liecame the mother of five 
children: W.ashington, who is married and resides 
in Madison County, Iowa; Laura, now Mrs. Win- 
crist, of Holridge, Neb. ; Larkin,wlio is married and 
resides in Portland, Ore. ; (.'harlie, a resident of 
Madison County, Iowa; and Esther, who is married 
and living in Ringgold, Iowa. Unto Alfred John- 
son and his worthy wife have also been born five 
children: Mary, now Mrs. Walker, of Nebraska; 
Ed, who is married and makes his home in Polk 
Township; Hannah, at home; Etta, now .Mrs. Mc- 
C'larey, of Kefjkuk County, Iowa, and Carrie. 

ISIr. Johnson is truly a self-made man, his suc- 
cess in life being due entirely to liis own efforts. 
He is numbereil among the substantial citizens of 
Jefferson County, having considerable property, 
including the three hundred and sixty-acre farm 
mentioned at the beginning of this sketch. The 
first year aftfr his marriage he resided in Fairfield 
Township, but in 1HG6, rcmiived to Locust Grove 
Township, purchasing a partially im[)roved farm of 
eighty acres, the nucleus of his present landed pos- 
sessions. He also devotes con.siderable attention 
to stock-raising. In his political affiliations, .Mr. 
Johnson is a stanch Democrat, and socially, is a 
member of the Oild Fellows socie'y of Rro(jkville. 
The duties of citizenship he failhfullj- dischai'ges. 
his Inisiness he attends to |)roniptl}' and efficiently 
.as is indicated by his success. Tlnjse who know, him 
respect him for his upright life and the friends of 
the Johnson family are many. 



'^ • V-^"^^"- » "* """'""''■ 



<a j^ILLIAM McCRACKIN was born April 11, 
\p,j/i 1804, in Armstrong County, Pa., and aas 
^^/)f/ reared in that county, his parents being of 
Scotch-Irish descent. He learneil the hatter's 
trade but deroted bis attention to farming, mer- 
chandising and hotel-keeping. 

In 182'J -Mr. .McCrackin w.as married to Miss 
Mar}' Ralston, who was also born in Armstrong, 
County, October 2(>, 1808. She was tlie daughter 



338 



FOR FR AIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



of David Ralston and Agnes Sharp, the latter be- 
ing the tirsl wliitu child boni in that pari, of Penn- 
sylvania. aii<l it may be observed that iier fatlier, 
Andrew hharp, was killed by the Indi.ans while 
taking his family to Ft. Pitt for protection, and he 
is buried in Pittsburg. 

For a quarter of a century Mr. McCrack'n 
made his home in Indi.ana. Pa. In the autumn of 
18.5.5 he started with bis family for Nebraska. CIo- 
iu'^ to Pilt-^burg in wagons, he embarked on a 
steamboat with wagons, horses, etc., for St. Louis, 
at the latter place disembarked and proceeded north 
and west as far as Fairlield where, the weather be- 
coming too cold for comfortable traveling, it was 
decided to stop. Every house in Fairfield was oc- 
ciipieil.and the only w.m' shelter could be obtained 
was to buy a house. 

Mr. McCrackin died May 7. 1857,and Mrs. Mc- 
t'lackin decided to remain in Fairfield, where she 
lived until her deaili. on July 27, 1888. Both were 
members of the United Presbyterian C'liurcli. LTnto 
Mr. and Mis. McCrackin were born ten children, 
fight of whom grew to mature years; Jane, wife 
of Dr. ■\Villiam .Vnderson, of Indiana, Pa.; DaVid 
U.dston, who died in Fairfield, February 6, 1890; 
Nancy S.wife of Capt B. F. Crail; Mary A.; Will- 
iam W. and Joseph R., both living in Butte City, 
Mont.; Kliza M. and Alexander. 

Mrs. McCrackin sent all her sons to the support 
of the Union, in the late war, the youngest being 
only lliirleen and one-half ^ears old. On the first 
e;ill for troops, David, who was in St. Louis, en- 
listed in tiic First Missouri Infantry, and served 
with that regiment for his term of enlistment, being 
in the battle of Wilson's Creek; he then enlisted in 
the Fourth Iowa Cavalr3', and was mustered out the 
following year. lie served as Deputy Provost 
Marshal for a time, and then enlisted in Company 
1. Forty-fifth Iowa infantry, and was made First 
Lieutenant; he remained in that regiment until it 
was disbanded. A\ illiam served with David in tlie 
Fourth Iowa Cavalry, and u|)on being discharged 
from that regiment he enlisted in a Pennsylvania 
regiment and after the expiration of that enlist- 
ment he served in the Navy as Master's mate on 
tlie Mississippi River, until the end of the Rebel- 
lion; Joseph, though only a boy, served in the 



Eighth Iowa Cavalry; Alexander enlisted in the 
Navy and served on the Mississippi River with 
Capt. William R. Wells for a i'ear; he then entered 
the Naval Academy, and is now in the Navy. 



,,S-J#LftS^^^ 




ANFORD M. BOLING, agent for the Uni- 
ted States Express Company at Fairfiebl. 
Jefferson County, was born in Muskingum 
County, Ohio, December 30, 1831, and is a 
son of William and Julia (Grimsley) Boling. both 
of whom were natives of Virginia. The parents 
of our subject were married in their native State 
and iu an early day emigrated to Muskingum 
Countj', Ohio. After reaching man's estate Mr. 
Boling learned the plasterer's trade wliich lie fol- 
lowed in pursuit of fortune throughout life. In his 
political affiliations he was a Democrat. 

Our subject is the only one out of five children 
living in Iowa. The famil}' once numbered eleven 
children, of whom he was the third in order of 
birth, but six have been called from this life. Me 
received his education in the old subscription 
schools common at that early day and at the age 
of ten years began working at the plasterer's trade 
with his father. His life was unmarked by any 
event of special importance until in August 1862, 
when he enlisted in Company F, of the One Hun- 
dred and Twenty-second Ohio Volunteers. He was 
immediately commissioned Second Lieutenant and 
with his command joined the army of the Potomac. 
Passing through Virginia, as far as Winehester.they 
commenced to fortify that [dace and whiJL' thus en- 
gaged Mr. Boling contracted typhoid fever, result- 
ing in almost total blindness, from which he has 
only partially recovered. He went home to be 
treated and wliile away, his regiment participated 
in the great battle of (icttysburg. Having re- 
joined his command in Martinsbnrg, Va., he started 
on the Mine Run campaign, but after marching a 
time through the mud and enduring untold hard- 
ships, the project was abatidoned. Mr. Boling was 
Acting .\djutunt and on the call for an otlicer and 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



339 



four men to go to Columbus. Ohio on detail service, 
he was selected. Krom tiiat lime until Lis discharge 
on Deucmhor .W. l^Ol, he remained in the capital 
city of Ohio. Ilis duties there were very arduous, 
it being a part of ids lalx.rsl.j pilot recruit soldiers 
from Columbus to southern posts. 

lu .January. I.SC.5, Mr. Holing first set foot on 
Fairfield soil. In the years which have come and 
gone since that time he has had no occasion to re- 
gret his choice of a location, for he has forme<l 
many lies of friendship which bind lum to the 
phace with cords of love which he woul.l not sever. 
During the first live years after his arrival he was 
in the employ of the American Express Company, 
but his health so failed him tl>at he was compelled 
to change his occupation and for a time he worked 
at the plasterer's trade. This was followed by one 
year si)entas a contractor ami in .January, 1874,he 
entered upon the duties of the oHice of Auditor of 
Jefferson County, in which cap.icitv he served the 
peoide acceptably for six years, ilis worth and 
ability having been tested and found to be inrae/it 
even above what his friends had anticipated, in 
18711, he was honored with an election to the State 
Senate and served in tiiat body during the sessions 
of 1880 and 1882. In the first Assembly, he was 
Chairman of the Committee on Penitentiaries.which 
originated a bill creating the ottice of warden in the 
peidtentiary at Animosa. He was the .active spirit 
in securing an amendment to equalize the gooil 
lime earned by convicts. Up to this time counties 
covdd vote on public improvements only .at general 
eleittions, and as a result when one parly cham- 
pioned any public enterprise, the other felt bound 
to oppose. 1 1 thus became difficult for a county 
even to erect a cimrt hou.se. and it was Ihrough the 
instrumentality of Mr. Doling that an amendment 
was passe.l permitting such questions to l)e voted 
upon either at general or special elections. Dur- 
ing the session of 1882. he was Chairman of the 
committee on Public Buildings and secured the 
passage of a bill appropriating a half million to 
complete the Slate Capitol. Former api-roprialions 
had been so small that they were largely consumed 
in iJaying the salaries of those selected to look after 
Iheir expenditure ami in the passage of this bill 
Mr. Boling performed an important work. In l.-<f<;!. 



after leliring to private life, he became agent for 
the United States Express Company at Fairfield, in 
which capacity he has since served, covering a 
period of seven consecutive years. 

Mr. Boling h.as also been called upon by his 
townsmen of Fairfield to represent them in the 
Council and has served in the honored position of 
Mayor of the city. He accepted the latter office in 
order to assist in securing for the city, control of 
the water works, which up to that time had be- 
longed to a corporation. In all his public life he 
has been faithful to every trust reposed in him and 
has won the confidence and regard of eren his po- 
litical enemies. He cast his first vote for Buchanan 
in 1856, but since that time has been a supi^rter of 
the Republican party. Socially, he belongs to the 
Masonic and Odd-Fellows fr.aternities and to the 
Grand Army Post of Fairfield, of which he is a 
charter member. 

Mr. Boling chose as a life companion Miss Hes- 
ter A. Younkin. their marriage being celebrated on 
the ITlh of January, 186.5. Mrs. Boling is a na- 
tive of Muskingum County, Ohio, and with her 
daughter, Bessie, their only child, carries on a mil- 
linery store in F'airfield. Mr. Boling is one of Fair- 
field's most highly esteemed citizens and it is with 
pleasure that we record his sketch in the history of 
his adopted county. 



.-i»tS>»^?tifc^^TS5tf-«i*f* 



ELMER A. HOWARD, Vice-President of the 
Iowa Slate Savings Bank of Fairtiehl. is a 
; native of the city which still continues to 
b^ his home. He was born on the 18tli of July. 
18.i8. his parents being Levi and Elizabeth (Cook) 
Howard, who are numbered among the early settlera 
of JefTerson County, and still reside in Fairfield. 
His father was a native of Indiana and his mother 
was born in Ohio, and on another page of this vol- 
ume a sketch of this worthy couple appears. 

The early educational advantages of our subject, 
acquired in the public schools, were supplemented 
bv a couric in the Axline University, of Fairfield, 



340 



PORTRAIT AM) BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



find be was tliiis fitted for a useful and busy career. 
Ill ISHO ho was appointed Indian Agent by Presi- 
dent Clcvelanil, for llie Pima. Maricopa and Papago 
Indian trilies of Arizona. He held that position 
two and a lialf years, during which time he met 
with many interesting experiences, but at the ex- 
piration of that period resigned. Later he was 
appointed Agent for the Kiowa Indians, but he did 
not accept and returned home. In 18«8 he became 
a partner in the boot and slioe business with Ed 
Hnnt, wliich connection continued uninterruptedly 
until .luly 1, 1890, when the partnership was dis- 
solved. Mr. Howard retiring. In the spring of 
1H90 the Iowa State Savings Bank was organized, 
and he became its Vice-President. 

()nthe-26th of March, 1883, in this city, Mr. 
Howard was united in the holy bonds of matri- 
mony with Miss Mary L. Lamson, and their union 
has been blessted wiih two children, sons — Nathan- 
iel, who is now six years of age, and Hubert, a 
babe of one j-ear. 

In political sentiment Mr. Howard is a Democrat, 
and is a member of the County Hoard of Supervis- 
ors. He is a prominent member of the Masonic 
order, belonging to Clinton Lodge, No. 15. A. F. 
& A. M.; McCord Chapter, No. 7. H. A. M., and 
.Jerusalem Commandevy, No. 1, K. T. He has now 
a handsome competenej' as the result of his energy 
and good management, and is connected with one 
of tlie leailing financial institutions of this part of 
the State. 



-€-*-^- 



ON. EDWARD CAMPBELL, Ju., a farmer 
residing in Fairfield, was born in Washing- 
ton County, Pa., on New Year's Day of 
1820. His parents were Robert and Mary 
(Hindman) Campbell. The father, who was also a 
native of Washington County, was descended from 
Scotch-Irish ancestry, his parents being natives of 
Belfast. Ireland, while the family was originally of 
Scottish origin. Thry were Presbyterians of the 
old school, and the farail}' gave to the world along 



race of divines of that faith. The mother of our 
subject was born in Cecil Count3', Md.. and be- 
longed to an old family- of that State, which was 
established by English colonists several generations 
remote. When Mr. Campbell's parents settled in 
Washington County, that region was onlj' just be- 
ing opened to civilization. His father owned a 
new farm in the timber, and when Etlward was but 
a child, was killed by accident. Educational ad- 
vant.iges were necessarily limited, and the first 
school our subject attended, was held in a log house 
with a clay floor. No glass appeared in the win- 
dows, but instead the light was admitted through 
sheets of paper that had previously been used for 
writing lessons, and then oiled and fastened to the 
openings in the sash. Hard labor was his portion 
from early 3'outh, but being studious and ambitious 
to acquire knowledge, he made the best possible 
use of his o])portunities which hud improved as 
lime progressed. Supplementing his school privi- 
leges with personal effort at self-culture, he ac- 
quired a thorough English education, and a fair 
knowledge of the classics. 

In March, 1841, when twenty-one 3'ears of age, 
Mr. Campbell was married in Alleghany County, 
Pa., to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of John Moore, 
and a native of the count}' in which their union 
was celebrated. The succeeding five years he spent 
in farming in the Keystone State, and in 1846, re- 
moved to Pittsburg, where he was employed six 
years as chief clerk in the office of the Prothonotary, 
and Sheriff, and was also clerking in a bank. He 
was subsequently elected to the offices of Prothono- 
tary and Sheriff of the count}', and the term of his 
offleial service extended over fifteen years. In 
1805, he came to Iowa and settled in Cedar Town- 
ship, Jefferson Count}-, where be engaged in farm- 
ing and stock-growing. He extended his purchases 
of real estate until he now has a fine farm of nine 
hundred and sixty acres in one tract, situated six 
miles southeast of Fairfield. He continued his resi- 
dence in Cedar Township until 1879, when he re- 
moved to the city, where he now resides. 

In early life Mr. Campbell was a AVliig. and 
voted with that party until 1850, when he joined 
the Democrats, and really began his political life 
in active opposition to Know Nothingism and to 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



341 



tlie principle of protective tariff. Wiiilea resident 
of Cediir Township, lie served :is School Director 
many years, and in 1871 was elected to the State 
Legislature, serving in the session of 1872, and in 
the extra session of the General Assembly of 1873. 
In 1885, he was ap|ioinled by President Cleveland 
to the otlice of Maishal for the southern district of 
Iowa, and held the (illice for fnur and a half years. 
For man}' years our subject has been an active and 
intluenlial worker in the cause of Democracy, hav- 
ingserved ten years as chairman of the Democratic 
State Central Committee, and devoted much time 
and considerable capital to the sn|)i)ort of his party 
and its i)rinciples. 

Tiie union of Mr. and Mrs. Campbell was blessed 
with eight children, four sons and four daughters, of 
whom five are now living: Amelia, the eldest, died 
in infancy; Jc>hn M. resides in A'irginia City, Nev., 
where he edits the Dally Eiitcrpri.sp; Mary 15elle is 
the vvife of N. S. Bright, a hardware merchant of 
Fairfield, Iowa; Alice is the widow of Joseph M. 
Atchison, late a lawyer of Pittsburg, Pa., and now 
resides with her father in Fairfield, being at present 
employed as clerk in the post-oflice; Robert died 
in infancy; Anna Cora is the wife of .Samuel C. 
Farmer, Jr., of Chicago; Colin K. resides in Des 
Moines; and William Clifford died in Fairfield, in 
December, 1887, at the age of twenty-seven years. 

Mr. Campbell has been an industrious student 
from his early youth, and possesses scholarly at- 
tainments of a high order. His reading has been 
varicil and extensive, and as he is blessed with a 
retentive memory, and a taste for the intellectual, 
he has familiarized himself with the works of the 
best writers of ancient times, of the niiddle ages 
and the modern period, and [lussesses a versatility 
of knowledge rarely found in one who has made his 
own way in the world, and who has never enjoyed 
the advantages of a collegiate education. During 
his residence of thirty years in Iowa, Mr. Campbell 
has acquired an extensive acquaintance among the 
leading men of tiie State of all parties. In the 
course of his business relations he enjo3S the repu- 
tation of being upright and honorable in a marked 
degree, and of being liberal and free-handed where- 
ever he can aid any worthy jniblic cnter|)rise. So- 
cially, be is deservedly popular. Possessing as he 



does such a varied fund of generMl information, and 
a quaint humor that is irresistible, he is alw.ays en- 
tertaining in c(mvcrsatioiraiid a welcome''com- 
])aHion. 



1^^ AMUEL M. MORRIS, a fanner and stock- 
^^^ raiser residing on section 6, Harrisburg 
-V^^ Township, Xixn Buren County, is a native 
of iHardin County, Ky. He was born 
Januarj' 14, 1827, and was the fifth in a;family of 
eight children, who graced the union of Henry 
Morris and Jane Mark. The father was born in 
North Carolina in 179C, and in his jouth removed 
from his native Slate to Kentucky, where he was 
reared to manhood and married. He is numbered 
among the pioneer settlers of Van Buren County, 
Iowa, the month of June, 1838, witnessing his ar- 
rival in the community. He entered eighty acres 
of wild land on Cedar Creek, in what is now Cedar 
Township, and afterward, by purchase, added one 
hundred and sixty acres, placing the entire amount 
under cultivation. As he obtained the first from 
the Government it w.as consequently in its primi- 
tive condition, but he succeeded in transforming it 
into a highly improved farm, whose well-tilled 
fields yielded hitn a good income as the reward of 
his labors. His death occurred on the old home- 
stead, February 8, 1870, at the age of sevent3'-four 
years. For man}- years Mr. Morris had been an 
active member of the Methodist Church and he 
possessed the full confidence and high reganl of his 
manj' acquaintances. His wife, who was a most 
estimable lady, survived him but eight days. The 
children born unto them were: Klizabeth, wife of 
I. L. \. Howard, of Cedar Township; Mary, de- 
ceiused wife of William M.asterson, of ^'an Buren 
County; Margaret, deceased; William a car[)enter, 
of Ilustonia, Mo.; Samuel JI., whose name heads 
this sketch: George F., a farmer of Cedar Town- 
ship; Alex II. and Ilenrj- T., who are also engaged 
in agriculiur.'d pursuits in Cedar Township. 

As a representative of one of the pioneer families 
of the county and as one of its most worthy citi- 



342 



I'OltTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



zeps, Samuel Morris deserves special mention in 
Uiis volume. Since eleven years of age he has 
been a witness of il.s growth and progress, has aided 
in its development and watclied with interest its 
advancement and the work which places it in the 
front rank among the counties in Iowa. He ac- 
quired his education in the district schools of the 
neighborhood and amid the wild scenes of pioneer 
life with its excitements and pleasures, its hard- 
ships and privations, he spent the days of his boy- 
hoofl and yontli. Oti attaining to mature years, lie 
bade good-by to the parental home and started out 
in life for himself, choosing as his occupation the 
the pursuit to vvliich lie was reared. He began 
operations on a forty-acre tract of land given him 
by his father, and in a short time he extended its 
boundaries by the purchase of forty acres of lim- 
ber land. After clearing and improving the same 
he had opportunity to make an advantageous sale 
which he did. and llicn bought three huiulrod and 
fifty-two acres of land lying in Washington and 
Harrisburg Townsliips, his present farm." 

In 18.04 Mr. Morris w.as united in marriage with 
Miss Charlotte A. Hobbins, of Van Buren County, 
daughter of William C. and Laura (Fuller) Hobbins. 
Her father was a native of ^'ermont, born October 
25, 1804, and in his native State passed his youth- 
ful days. He was married, however, in Allegany 
County, N. Y., to INIiss Laura Fuller, of the Empire 
State, born December 27, 1812, by which union 
there were born three children: Esther,wifc of John 
Klise, of Harrisburg Townsliip; Mrs. Morris, and 
Martha.who died when about four years old. The 
parents are numbered among the pioneers of Van 
Bureu County. having since 1844 made I heir home in 
the neighborhood, whore they have won as the result 
of their upright lives the respect of all who knew 
them. The father's work here on earth is now 
ended, he having died September 20, 18i)0, and his 
widow is passing the evening hour of life sur- 
rounded by the tender care of her children. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Mcirris have been born live 
children: Kdmund, who wedded Miss Mary Lefler 
and is now living in Pierceville; .1. Q., who mar- 
ried Miss .Vlioe Woods and resides on the home 
farm; Livingston; Henry F.. who died when sixteen 
monllis old; and William W. Livingston and Will- 



iam are j^et with their p;irents. Mr. Morris is an 
active Republican in politics and is an influential 
member of the county conventions, to which 
he is frequently sent as a delegate. As a citizen, 
he is true to every duty devolving upon him 
and ever ready to aid in works of public im- 
provement or such enterprises as are calculated to 
benefit the community. As a business man he is 
undoubtedly a success, being now ranked among 
the substantial farmers and stock-raisers of the 
conimunity. In the management of his farm he 
dispIa3'Sgood business abilit}', enterprise and ])ush, 
all of which are essential to a prosperous career. 
His residence in Van Buren County covers a per- 
iod of fifty-two years, ami those who have known 
him from boyhood have been witnesses of his en- 
tiro life, as well as his acquaintances of later years, 
are numbered among his stanchest friends. Those 
who have seen the development of his character 
know him to be a man of sterling worth, meriting 
the high esteem of all. 



/'-T^^r^ 



OHN CA\'I>;, deceased, was one of the early 
settlers of Van Buren County, having in the 
year 1836 settled within her borders. He 
was born in Prince Edward County, \'a., in 
1788, and during his early manhood enlisted as a 
soldier in the War of 1812. Soon after the close 
of that struggle he went to Tennessee where lie 
married Miss Judah Mann, who was also a native 
of the Old Dominion, born in 1790. The young 
couple began their domestic life in Tennessee, 
where they remained until 1834, in which year thej' 
ma.'e a location in McDonough County, III. Two 
years later, however, they crossed the Father of 
Waters and in the Territoiy of Wisconsin, as it 
was then known, began making a home, their place 
of location being in Harrisburg, Township, Van 
Buren County. The Indians had not then left for 
their homes further West, but were frequent visitors 
in the settlement and rattlesnakes wore often un- 
welcomed companions. T"he country round about 





~^ 







ii 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALHUM. 



Sl.-i 



abounded in wild game, wolves and other animals 
were killed in the vicinity of the settlement and 
hardships of which we know nothing were to be 
borne. 

Eight children were born unto IMr. and Mrs. 
Cavin — Irena who became the wife of ftlanswit 
Liffler, settled in this county and died in 1881; 
Liicinda, widow[of Harry Alexander, is living in 
Van Bnren County; Andrew J. died during the 
service while in the ]Mexiean War; Margaret A. 
is now Mrs. Sturdivant of Bonaparte; Mclvina 
married James Harrington of California; John 
is living in Mahaska County, Iowa; Jnlinda be- 
came the wife of William Saddler and died in 
Van Buren County; and Matilda is the wife of 
Moses .Smith, of the same county. 

Mr. Cavin was one of the sturdy pioneers of 
this region and will be remembered b3' many of 
the early settlers. He developed a farm and 
made for himselfCa comfortable home"] but nine 
years after his arrival in the community he was 
called to the home above. His wife survived 
him untilnlSGl. Both were members of the Bap- 
tist Church and earnest workers in the Master's 
vineyard. 



^BRAHAM STANFORD, a retired farmer 
(@/^| j and respected citizen of Fairfield, Jeffer- 

/// ifc son County, claims Pennsylvania as the 
^ State of his nativity, his birth having oc- 

curred in Allegheny- County, June 17, 1815. Isaac 
Stanford, his father, emigrated with his family to 
Delaware Count}'. Ohio, about 1817, becoming one 
of the early settlers of that region, but within a 
few days both parents and two children died. Our 
subject was then about three years of age. Four 
children lived to mature 3^ear8, but only two still 
survive: Abraham and his brother David, who has 
been a carpenter, merchant, and farmer. 

Little advantage did our subject receive in his 
youth, but bard labor fell to his lot, and in return he 
reaped little or no reward. Probably, lK)wever, this 
was the means of developing a self-reliance and en- 



ergy which have characterized his mature years, 
and been important factors in his success. On the 
death of his parents, he was bound out to a farmer 
for whom he worked until attaining his majority, 
when he started out in life for himself without a 
cent which he could call his own. He secured a 
position as a farm hand at ^10 per month, and la- 
bored on in that way until coming to Iowa. Be- 
lieving that he could belter his condition in the 
West, in 1839, he floated down the Ohio and up 
the Mis3i9sip|)i and Illinois Rivers to Peoria, whence 
he made his way through Henry County to Cedar 
Townstiip, Jefferson County. The land in that 
townshi|j had just come into market, and on his re- 
turn trip Mr. Stanford stopped at Burlington, and 
entered one hundred and twenty acres of the same. 
The following winter he was engaged in splitting 
rails in Illinois. For some time he was undecided 
whether to return to Ohio or remain in the West, 
but having entered his land in Iowa, he at length 
determined to come to this State, and acted upon 
his resolution in February, 1840. Not an improve- 
ment had been made, and while a cabin was in pro- 
cess of erection, he boarded with Joel Bradshaw. 
,He spent the day in superintending the work, but 
in the evening devoted himself to the enjoyment of 
the society of Mr. Bradshaw's daughter, I\Iiss 
Nanc}'. The acquaintance proving mutually agree- 
able and ripening into a warmer regard, the}' were 
married on the 9th of February, 1841. The lady 
was born in White County, Tenn., March 19, 1825, 
and when eight years of age, accompanied her par- 
ents to Illinois, whence they removed to Jefferson 
County in 1838. 

Mr. Stanford and his wife began their domestic 
life on the farm which he had entered, and in- 
creased their possessions b}' tha purchase of an ad- 
ditional forty acres. At length having sold, he 
bought a claim four miles cast of Fairfield, of one 
hundred and twenty acres which he entered, fenced 
and improved. He also sold this farm, after which 
he started West, but a few days travel sutliced to 
convince him that he preferred Jefferson County tn 
any other locality as a |)l,aco of residence, and In- 
returned and purchased a claim of one hundred ami 
thirty-five acres in Liberty Township. This be 
also entered and improved, and later tr:idc'l for a 



346 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



f:xrm of one liundrcd and leii acres in Cedar Town- 
sliip. uiK'n whifh lie lived until lie lelired from ac- 
tive business life, and removed to Fairfield in 1882. 
He still owns ninety-six acres of vahiahlc land 
which yields him a ijood income. 

The union of Mr. and Mrs. .Stanford was blessed 
with !i family of eij^lil children: Isaac F., the eld- 
est, enlisted in October. 186:5. as a member of Com- 
pany B,Nineleenth Iowa Infantry, and was wounded 
at the battle of Prairie Grove. Ark. However, he 
recovered from his injury, but while on the way to 
join his regiment at Brownsville, Tex., betook the 
measles and was consequently off duty for some 
time. Again lie started to join his comrades, but 
having to march some thirty miles through mud 
and rain, when not yet entirely recovered, lie took 
a backset and died in Brownsville; Joel. J., the next 
yonnger, is a farmer of Nebraska; C'hloc S. is the 
wife of .Samuel Doughty, a Free Methodist preacher ; 
Mary O. is the wife of Haden Doughty, a farmer of 
Lockridge Township; Vesta A. is the wife of David 
Boley, of Locust Grove Township: KUa K. is the 
wife of George Moore, a farmer of Nebraska; .John 
F. is a farmer of Locust Grove Township; Abra- 
ham L. is a cabinet-maker of Fairfield. 

Mr. Stanford has held the office of Township 
Assessor, and several school oHices. He cast his 
first Presidential vote for Gen. William Henry Har- 
rison, and continued to support the Whig party 
until 1856, since which time he has been a stanch 
Republican. He has done not a little to develop 
the county by improving farms, and has ever been 
a loyal citizen. Both lie and his wife are members 
of the Methodist Church, of Fairfield. 



-^-^•^ 




l^RANMORE W. GAGE, the oldest early 
settler of Fairfield now living, is a native of 
the Green Mountain State. He was born 
in Hartford, Vt., on the 29th of M.ay, 1828, and 
is a son of Ebenezer S. and Electa (Wallace) Gage. 
His father was born May 5, 1803, in Bangor, ]\Te., 
and when six years of age went to live with an 



uncle, bis father having been drowned. In early 
life he went to Vermont and learned the shoe mak- 
er's trade, which he there followed for five years 
and afterwards engaged in the same line of business 
in Acworth, N. H. On the 30th of May, 1827, he 
married Miss Wallace, who was born in New 
Hampshire, February 2, 1807. In 1838, they re- 
moved to Alton, 111., where for a short time Mr, 
Gage was engaged as a superintendent in purchas- 
ing supplies for a seminary near that place, but in 
December, 1839, he brought a stock of dr}' goods 
to Fairfield and began operations merchandizing 
in this city. The followingyear, while on his way 
to St. Louis to buy goods, he w;is robbed of §600 
which crippled him in business and he turned his 
attention to other interests, purchasing a claim of 
one hundred and sixty acres on which his son now 
lives and thirtj- of which is now included within 
the city limits. He was a man of good education 
and did much toward the settling ui)of the State. 
He served as Deputy County Treasurer of Jeffer- 
son County and from 1844 until 1848 was Post- 
master of Fairfield. In political sentiment he was 
a supporter of the Democratic part3- and socially 
was a member of the M.asonic fraternity. He took 
a deep interest in all public enterprises, gave liber- 
ally toward the support of such interests as he 
believed would benefit the community, and was re- 
garded bj' all as a worthj' citizen. Both he and his 
wife were members of the Congregational Church. 
His death occurred May 29, 1859, and his wife 
still survives him and yet enjoys a tolerable degree 
of health. There were only two children of the 
family — Theodore S. who was born in FaiiHclil. 
August 30, 1844, and Cranmore W. 

Since eleven years of age our subject has been a 
resident of Jefferson County, and when a lad of 
fourteen years he took charge of the farm which 
his father had entered and which he has operated 
continuously since. At the age of sixteen, in com- 
pany with others, he took a number of horses to 
Des Moines and sold them to the InJians. The 
now beautiful cajiital city was then a mere collec- 
tion of soldier's cabins and gave no promise of be- 
coming of much importance. Mr. Gage is account- 
ed a first class farmer and stock-raiser as can be 
seen from a glance at his place. Everything is in 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



347 



excellent oniornnil the entire surroiimlings indicate 
thrift anil enler|)rlse. In his business he is as- 
sociated wilii his l)nilh('r and toj^etlier they own 
one litindred and fifteen acres of hii,dily improved 
land which is well stocked and furnished with 
evei3' tiling necessarj' to a model farm. 

In Jefferson County, Mr. (iage was joined in 
wedloclv with Sarah J. Ulaclv, the marriage cere- 
mony being performed on the Tith of September, 
1855. The lady was l)()rn in Ailams County, Ohio, 
November G, 1828, and is a daughter of Moses and 
Nancy (Glasgow) Black, who were also natives of 
Adams County, and of the old Covenanter stock. 
In 1841, the^' removed to Brown County, 111., and 
in 1844 to Jefferson County, Iowa, locating in Ues 
Moines Township. Mr. Black was the first County 
Judge of this county and in politics he was first a 
Whig, afterwards an Abolitionist and later a Re- 
publican. He died in 18(57, at the age of sixty-six 
years, and his wife, who was born in 180'J, died in 
1883. Both were members of the Presbyterian 
Church and lived consistent Christian lives. In 
their family were six children, three sons and three 
daughters, of whom Mrs. Gage is the eldest. Mr. 
and Mrs. (iage are parents of four children — Frank 
S. who is employed as station agent at Beard, Tex. ; 
Edward M., a lumber dealer of Chicago; Fred W., 
a lumber dealer of Hiawatha, Kan.; and Charles 
H., who is engaged in the dairj- business in Fair- 
field. 

Both Mr. Gage and his wife are members of the 
Congregational Church, and in the social world are 
held in high regard. lie has served as Marshal, 
Vice President and is now President of the Old 
Settlers Association. His residence in this county 
covers more than half a centur}' and embraces 
seven years of territorial rule as well as the entire 
State government. He has seen the count^^ trans- 
formed from a vast and unbroken prairie, inhabited 
mosll^v by red men, into homes of a civilized people, 
wiiose farms are equal in fertility and improvement 
to anj' and whose towns are characterized by an 
energy and enterprise unknown to the older 
cities of the Kast. Mr. Gage has shared in 
the hardships and trials of pioneer life, but time 
and industry have overcome those difllculties and 
he now ranks among the substantial citizens of the 



community. In the early days they had to live 
principally upon corn bread and wild game which 
was then plentiful, and had to go thirty miles to 
mill. 

In political sentiment Mr. Gage is a Republican, 
and though he has always felt a lively interest in 
the success of that part3' he has never aspired to 
any public office. In agriculture he has always 
taken deep interest and served four years as a 
director of the County Agricultural Association, 
and for three years was superintendent of the 
giounds when important improvements were made. 



lT/,_, ON. WILLIAM LEROV S. SIMMONS, 
jj who is extensively engaged in stock-raising 

■^ on section 12, Locust Grove Township. 

_ Jefferson County, first set foot on Iowa soil 
in 1842, at which lime he made a settlement in the 
township of which he is now a resident. However, 
he did not make a permanent location until 1853. 
A native of Clermont County, Ohio, he was born 
in 1822, the fourth child in a family of five chil- 
dren that graced the union of Adam and Sarah 
(Hitch) Simmous. Throughout his entire life 
Adam Simmons f(jllowed farming, and in Ohio 
his death occurred in 1828. His wife lon^ 
survived him, dying in 1875. The}- were pioneers 
of the Buckeye State, and lived upright lives 
which won them the respect of the entire commu- 
nity. 

W. L. S. Simmons w.-is but six years of age when 
his father died. He continued to make his home 
upon the farm, but in his youth learned the brick- 
mason's trade, which he followed during his resi- 
dence in Ohio, and for a short lime after coming to 
Jefferson County. With a desire to benefit his 
financial condition and to provide for himself a 
home, he came West. In 1846 he pre-empted 
eighty acres of land on section 3, Locust Grove 
Townsliij), and began developing a farm, but after- 
ward traded that for a sixtj-acre tract on section 



348 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



12. With land upon vvliich not a furrow had been 
turned or an improvement made, he found that he 
liad no easy task before him. but of a determined 
nature and jpossessing unremitting industry, lie 
wouiil not l)e deterred from liis purpose, but over- 
came the obstncles in liis palli and worived his way 
upward to a position of affluence. 

Ueturning to his native county in 18.'^2, Mr. 
Simmons w.as joined in wedloclc with Miss Sarah 
Weaver, wlio was born in Ohio, and is a daughter 
of Samuel and Catherine (Robinson) Weaver. Her 
parents were natives of Virginia, but at an early 
(lay emigrated to Oliio. wiiere they spent the re- 
mainder of their lives. Mr. Weaver was called to 
ills (inal rest in 18G3, having survived his wife sev- 
eral years. 

In true pioneer style, on a farm but little im- 
proved, Mr. and Mrs. Simmons began their domes- 
tic life, and by their united efforts have secured a 
comfortable home, in which maybe found not only 
the necessaries, but m-.iny of the luxuries known to 
this age. Their union was blessed with seven 
children, but only four of the number are now liv- 
ing: Kliun Frank, the eldest, is an atlorne\'-at-law 
of Fairtielil, Iowa; Charles Walter acquired his 
literary education in the schools of Mt. Pleasant, 
being graduated from the academy of that place, 
and then began fitting himself for labor in foreign 
missionary fields. He was graduated from the 
(iarrelt Biblical Institute, of Evanston,Ill., in 1888, 
and the same year married Miss Luella Bartlett, of 
Mt. Pleasant, and started for India, where he has 
since been engaged in missionary labor, being sent 
to that field by the Methodist Church. Owing to 
failing health he returned to Iowa, and is now at 
home. Sarah Belle and Nancy Wright, the two 
daughters of the family, are still with their par- 
ents. 

Mr. Simmons may truly be called a self-made 
man. The farm which he now owns and operates 
embraces two hundred and twent^'-seven acres, all 
under a good state of cultivation, and he also has 
considerable money invested in fine stock. He is 
making a specialty of the breeding of full-blooded 
Short-horn cattle and Poland China hogs, and has 
done not a little for the advancement of the grade 
of stock in the county. In other ways he h.as also 



been identified with the count^^'s interests. Every 
enterprise of merit finds in him a supporter;" he is 
a friend to all [social, educational and moral inter- 
ests, and is a generous contributor of charitable and 
benevolent work. He and his wife are consistent 
memb-^rs of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of 
Brookville. and their upright lives, which are in 
harmony with their professions, win for them the 
confidence and regard of the community. Mr. Sim- 
mons has served on the School Board, has been 
Township Clerk, and in 1 876 ably represented his 
district in the Iowa Legislature. Socially, he is a 
member of Abingdon Lodge, No. 104, A. F. & 
A. M.~As an early settler of the countj' he bore 
all the hardships and trials of pioneer life, hut may 
well feel honored that he had a part to perform in 
the work of progress and development which 
places Jefferson County in its present exalted posi- 
tion of to-day. When he settled in this communit\' 
Fairfield was only a small trading post, and Keokuk 
and Burlington were the nearest markets. W^ild 
game, wliicli was then very plentiful, furnished 
many a meal for the settlers. The Indians were 
still frequent visitors, and much of the land was 
was still unclaimed. The traveler of to-day can 
scared}' realize that in less than a half a < cntury 
all this change has been brought about, and the 
pioneers, who wrought the transforniatlon, certainly 
deserve unlimited commendation. 

In early life Mr. .Simmons w.as a Whig, and on 
the formation of the Republican party he joined 
it. and has since been a supporter of its principles. 



-^ 




,»ILLIAM F. DOWNING, who carries on 
1/ farming on section 1(5, Buchanan Town- 



ship, is a representati\e of one of the pio- 
neer families of .lefferson County. His father, 
Anthony Downing, a native of Berkeley County, 
Va., was born August 12, 1818, and when a young 
man and poor made his way to the Territory of 
Iowa, locating in Jefferson Count}- in 1839. He 
made a claim, which w.as transformed into the farm 



POKTHAir AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



349 



upon which oiw subject now lives, .ind on whicli he \ 
remained iiniil liis deatli. In his early life lie en- 
gaged in teaiuiiiu;, but after his removal to the 
West devoted iiis time and ener<j;ies to agricultural 
pursuits and the raising of stock. His first lioiuc 
in the county was a rude log cabin, but ns his finan- 
cial resources were increased be built a brick 
house, which later was replaced by the commodi- 
ous residence now upon the old homestead. When 
the gold excitement of California was at its height, 
he made a trip to the Pacific Coast, where he re- 
mained, engaged in mining, for five years. His ef- 
forts as a farmer and stock-raiser were crowned 
with success, and although he was in verj' limited 
circumstances when he came to the county he be- 
came one of her substantial citizens. Mr. Downing 
was twice married. Bj' his first wife, whose maiden 
name was Rachel Keltner, he had four children. 
For his second wife he married Miss Harriet C. 
Wagner, who was born in Morgan County. Va.. 
August 19, 1824, and was a daughter of Jacob 
and Elizabeth (Sapp) Wagner, also natives of 
Virginia, where they married and spent their entire 
lives. They were the parents of seven children, 
three of whom are yet living — Mrs. S. Downing. 
Mrs. Abram Bush and Mrs. Anthony Downing. 
The mother died at the age of forty-five jears, but 
the father reached the advanced age of eighty-four 
years and was a second time married. He was a 
tanner by trade. 

Our subject was one of a family numbering but 
two children, and his brother, Ulysses W., died at 
the age of fourteen years; William P., the elder of 
the two, was born on the farm which is still his 
home, on the 8th of May, 1861. His school privi- 
leges were very limited owing to the sickness of 
his father, which necessitated his remaining at 
home to care for the farm and since the death of 
his father, which occurred when he was eighteen 
years of age, he has had the entire management of 
affairs. By his neighbors and friends he is regarde<l 
as one of the leading ^-oung business men of the 
community, for he displ.ays much ability and 
Ihoughtfulnts.s and energy in the discharge of the 
duties connected with his home life. He now super- 
intends the cultivation of a fine farm of three hun- 
dred and twenty acres, which is well furnished with 



goofl improvements and everything necessary to 
the model farm of the nineteenth century. 

On the 0th of February, 1889. Mr. Downing was 
united in marriage with Miss Clarinda M. Hupp, 
who was born in Virginia, November 14, 1865. She 
died after a short but happy wedded life of little 
more than a year's duration, leaving an infant 
daughter who bears her name. 

In political sentiment Mr. Downing is a sup- 
porter of Republican i)rinciples. As every true 
American citizen should do, he feels an interest in 
l)olitical affairs and keeps himself well informed 
concerning the issues of the day. His entire life 
has been spent upon the Downing homestead and 
the fact that those who have known him since his 
boyhood days are numbered among his warmest 
friends, speaks well for him as an upright citizen 
and man of sterling worth. The family have been 
residents of the count3- for more than half a cen- 
tury and the honored father of our subject was one 
of its representative citizens and is numbered 
among the respected pioneers. He will be remem- 
bered by many of our readers and is well worthy 
of mention in the history of his adopted county, 
in whose growth and prosperitj- he ever felt a just 
pride. 



lEORGE H. SPENCER, who resides on sec- 
^ lion 8, Penn Township, is numbered among 

iJJlj the honored pioneers of Jefferson County, 
where he has made his home since 1839. Great 
indeed have been the clianges which have taken 
place since that lime, and it may v.-ell be esteemed 
an honor to have been a witness of the transforma- 
tion, but to have been identified with the work as 
long as Mr. Spencer has been, is a privUege of which 
but few can boast. The county owes to its early 
settlers a debt of- gratitude which can never be 
fully repaid, but we can cherish their memory in 
our hearts while we perpetuate their lives by written 
record. 

The worthy gentleman whose name beads this 
sketch was born in Niagara County, N. Y., March 



350 



rOKlRAIT AND lilOCRAPlIICAL ALBUM. 



30, 1830, and is a son of Oeorije and Catherine 
(Iloilun) Spcnft'i-. His fatlier was a native of Hart- 
f(ir<l. Conn., born September 29, 1793. Being left 
an or|)han at a tender a^i\ he was bound out to a 
blacksmith, with wlioiii lie worked until attaining 
his majority. Hillierto be had received no educa- 
tional advantages, and now he determined to at 
least acquaint himself with the common branches. 
This he did, and afterward devoted himself to ac- 
quiring a competence. lie purchased one hundred 
acres of land in New York, turned his attention to 
farming, and procured for himself a helpmate in 
the person of Miss Catherine Horton, whom he 
married on the Uth of October, 1823. The lady 
was a native of Wayne County', N. Y. Some seven 
years later they removed to the Territory of 
Michigan, wliere Mr. .Spencer oi)ened up a new 
farm, and in 1839 became residents of Penn Town- 
ship, Jefferson County, Iowa, where he made a 
claim of two hundred and forty acres of Govern- 
ment land. Again, with characteristic energy, ho 
began transforming the wild land into fields whose 
fruilfuliiess wonhl provide for his wants, and had 
made a comfortable home before his death, which 
occurred on the 9th of .September, 1H62. His first 
wife had died January 16, 1829, and two years later 
lie married Polly Gillett, who survived him some 
twenty-two years. She was born in 1803, and died 
at the advanced age of eighty-two. By the first 
marriage were born four children, but our subject, 
who was the youngest, is the only one now living. 
The others were: DeWitt, Cyntliia Ann and INIary 
J. The children of the second marriage are: Elaph- 
ilet, of Penn Township; and Cynthia J., now Mrs. 
Coop, of the same township. 

For years Mr. Spencer was a member of the Bap- 
list Church, and one of its most active members. 
He was liberal with his means in support of the 
Gospel, and his religion formed a part of his every- 
day life, prompting him to deeds of kindness and 
acts of charity. His heart and band were in the 
work, and whatever he could do to aid in its ad- 
vaiieeuicnt he cheerfully- performed. In his early- 
life he was a AVhig and a stanch Abolitionist, and 
was one of the first four to vote for the Abolition 
party in his township. He then became a Free- 
Soiler. and when the Republican party was formed 



to prevent the further extension of slavery at once 
espoused its cause. However, he did not live to 
see the curse banished from the land. As a citizen 
he was faithful to ever^- duty, and his name is in- 
separably connected with the progress of the county. 
He helped to laj- out the city of Fairfield in 1839, 
and in the years w-hich followed prior to his death 
w-as ever found in the forrmost ranks in any enter- 
prise calculated to benefit the community. 

Our subject was a lad of eight years when he ac- 
companied his parents on their removal from the 
Erai)ire State to Joliet, III. He came with tliem to 
Jefferson County in 1839, and in the pioneer 
schools of that da}- acquired a limited education, 
but he has become a well-informed man bj- reading, 
experience and observation. The hardships and 
privations incident to pioneer life fell to his lot in 
boyhood. He has to assist in the arduous labor of 
developing a farm, and has felt the pangs of hun- 
ger, for it was oftentimes difficult to procure bread 
stuffs, and frequently the crops were insufficient for 
the needs of the family. He remained at home 
until twenty-nine years of age, when be began life 
for himself in the occupation to which he was reared. 
His first purchase of land consisted of a forty-acre 
tract, upon wliich he made his home for eleven 
years, when he removed to his present place of 
residence. A log house and small barn constituted 
the improvements at that time, liuta iileasant frame 
residence has since been erected, while eighty acres 
of highly cultivated land pay to him a golden 
tribute. 

On the 14th of October, 1857, Mr. Spencer was 
united in marriage with Miss Diana Thomas, who 
was born March 12, 1828, in Ontario County, 
N. Y. The wedding was celebrated in Richland 
Count}', Ohio, and eight children graced their 
union — Mary Anna, born M.ay 6, 1859, died on the 
1st of September of that year; Theodosia, born 
November I-l, 1860, is at borne; Arloa, born Seii- 
tember 21, 1862, died August 30, 1863; William 
A., born February 9, 1864, died September 20, 
1865; Charles B., born September 30, 1865, mar- 
ried Ina J. Ilurd, by whom he has one child, and is 
engaged in farming in Penn . Township; Louisa, 
born February 8, 1867, is successfully engaged in 
teaching school; Sjlvester M., born January 16, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



351 



1KG9, died March 1."), 1871; Locliiel T.. lioiii Au- 
gust 18, 1871. (lied March 21), 1880. The chihlren 
liavc been iJi'ovidcd with trood educational advan- 
tages, .and two of the inunlK'i- have been students 
of the I'leasant I'iain Acaiiemy. Mr. Spencer, iiis 
wife and chiidien. are all members of the Howard 
Grove Baptist Ciiurch. in wliic-h lie holds the olliee 
of Deacon. lie has also l)cen a licensed iireaelier 
for fourteen years, and is one of the most faithful 
and earnest workers of his home congregation. 

In politics, ho is a stanch Kepulilican, and an 
ardent Prohibitionist. By his vole and voice he 
supporteil the amendment, and in every way possi- 
ble he aids in the |)romotion of the temperance sen- 
timent among the people. He is widely known 
Ihroughoui the county, and the high regard in 
which he is held is justly merited by liis Christian 
character. 




YRL'S N. FOLKER, who resides on section 
!l, Karmington Township, is one of tiie 
substantial farmers ;ind extensive landown- 
ers of Van Buren County and is also a representative 
of one of the honoreii pioneer families of the coun- 
ty. Years have come and gone until more than 
half a centur}' has passed since George W. Folker, 
liis father, accompanied by wifeand children, made 
a settlement in this community which then formed 
a part of the Tenitory of Wisconsin. In that 
period of time great clianges have taken place, the 
work of progress and civilization has been carried 
forward and wonderful lrar^sformation has been 
wrought, much of whicli bears upon it liie impress 
of the enterprise and ceaseless activity of the 
Folkers. 

Our subject was but a babe when he came to the 
county. lie was born in Perry Count}', Pa., 
Januar}- 26, 183S, and in 1838 was brought to 
Iowa by his parents, George W. and Klizabetli 
(Huggins) P'olker. who were also natives of the 
Keystone State. Ills father was a nK'cha.nic hy 
trade but for a number of years followed llie liatter's 



hade in I'lnnsylvania and after his emigration to 
\'an Bureu Criiinty, Iowa, in tiie autumn of 1838, 
he engaged in farming. Entering one [hundred 
and forty acres of laud from the Government he 
cleared, dev(>lopod and improved the same, making 
a good fartn, upon which he lived until Ids deatii 
in 18.')1. Ilis wife survived him a number of 
years, dying in 1H71. Unto that worthy couple 
were born nine children and the family circle is 
yet unbroken. In order of birth they areas follows: 
John II., a retired farmer, of Lamar, Mo.; Charles, 
a retired farmer, of Memphis, Mo.; Catherine, wife 
of C. Blatterman, of Clarke County, Mo.; William, 
a stock raiser, of Acasto, Mo.; George W., a money 
loanei-, of Farmington; Ambrose who is engaged in 
farming and stock raising in Clarke County, Mo.; 
Cyrus N., the subject of this sketch; Joseph R., 
who is also an agriculturalist, of Clarke County, 
Mo.; and Mary, now Mrs. Huggins, of Lamar, Mo. 
The educational opportunities afforded in a new 
settlement are not very great and as Cyrus Folker 
was reared among the wild scenes of Van Buren 
County, his scholastic training was necessarily 
limited. His father died when he was a lad of 
fifteen years and he remained at home assisting his 
mother until twenty-six years of age, when, in 
18;')9, he made a trip into Color.ado. However, he 
soon returned and continued farming operations in 
A'an Buren County until 1861, when he went to 
Idaho, where he was successful!}- engaged in min- 
ing for three years. Having acquired some wealth, 
in 18()7, he returned to this county and made 
investments in real estate here. In the spring of 
1870, he purchased the farm wliich has been bis 
home continuously since. At that time it comprised 
about three hundred acres of but parliall}' improved 
land but the boundaries have since been extended 
until six hundred acres in one body pay tribute to 
his care and cultivation, while another forty acres 
yields him support. Those who are acquainted 
with Mr. Folker and know something of his 
characteristics and the habits of his life, need not 
to be told tliat everj' thing about bis home is kept 
in first-cl.ass order. The farm is divided into 
fields of convenient size by good fences, useful and 
ornamental improvements hare been made, the 
latest farm machinery has been purchased and the 



■\:<-2 



PORTRAIT AM) BIOGRAPHICAL ALIUM. 



heal giiulus oi stdiU have been introduced. In fact 
t(. the latter brnndi of his business he devotes 
much attention and is accounted one of the leading 
stock- raisers of tiie county. 

In 1870. Mr. Folker was united in marriage with 
Miss Sarah A. Perry, of Clarke County, Mo., daugh- 
ter of Gideon and Mary (Humphrey) Perry, who, 
like their daughter, are natives of Illinois. Six 
children have been l)orn of this union, namely : 
Mary K., wife of Noah Uoyer, of Farmington; Ida 
A., wife of Ilerden Boyer who is engaged in 
agricultural pursuits in Farmington Township ; 
Lula D.. Stella M., Krvin A. and Charles E. 

,Mr. Folker is a member of the United Brethren 
Church and his wife belongs to tlie Methodist 
Church, and in politics, he is a Democrat. He has 
ever been a supporter of ciiurches and oilier 
laudable enterprises, feeling a deep interest in any 
thing that pertains to the welfare of the county 
which has so long been his home. Froni his boy- 
hood he has been identified with its agricultural 
interests and in nianj- other ways has aided in its 
development and improvement. The count}' is 
deal to him for the many pleasant associations con- 
nected with it concerning his boyhood and youth ; 
for the friendships he has here formed in later 
years and for the i)leasniit home wl.ich it has 
afforded him. It has also witnessed the greater 
part of his business undertakings and has seen the 
progress which he has made, advancing from a 
position of comparative humbleness to one of first 
rank, in which he is surrounded hy wealth and all 
the comforts which go to make life worth the living. 



<| jklLLIAM 15. KKHH is engaged in carpen- 

\/ij/l tering in Bonaparte, Iowa, and is doing a 

\ps good business in that line, which results 

from his elliciency an<l the prompt and faithful 

manner in which he keeps all contracts. 

Mr. Kerr is a native of Pennsylvania. He was 
born in Armstiong County, on the 'iOth of Decem- 
her, 1813, was a son of Robert Kerr, a native of 



New York, and a grandson of William Kerr, who 
was born in Ireland, but in the eighteenth century 
left his native land, crossing the Atlantic to Amer- 
ica. Our subject is therefore of Irish extraction. 
He acquired his education in the subscription 
scl'ools of his native county common at that day. 
and as the age of seventeen years was apprenticed 
for a term of three and a half years to the trade of 
a carpenter and joiner, receiving $3 per month and 
board. However, at the expiration of three years 
he had mastered the business and was released from 
the contract, after which he was employed by one 
of the firm at -^2.50 per day. After following his 
chosen occupation for a number of years in the 
East, he determined to try his fortune beyond the 
Mississippi, and cliose the Territory of Iowa as the 
scene of his future labors. He built a keel boat.loaded 
it with all his worldly possessions, attached the 
same to a raft, and in 1813 floated down the Ohio 
River from Pittsburg. Pa., to Louisville, Kj-., where 
he found that further progress was impossible on 
account of the river being blocked with ice. De- 
terred from his purpose of making the journey by 
water, he then sold his keel boat and hoarded a 
steamer, on which he siiled to Nauvoo, 111., where 
he spent the remainder of tiie winlei. Tlie fol- 
lowing spring lie carried out his original idea of 
coming to Iowa, anil made a location in Bonaparte, 
where he has since continued to reside. A carpen- 
ter 1)}' trade and an expert workman, his services 
were in constant demand, for emigrants at that 
time were pouring rapidly into the county, and 
he was called upon to erect many homes for the 
early settlers. 

Mr. Kerr has been twice married. Ere leaving 
the State of his nativitj^ he was joined in wedlock 
with Miss Susie Johnson, by whom lie had five 
children, three yet living, namely: Hiram, William 
and John. He was called upon to mourn the loss 
of his wife not many years after the^- had become' 
residents of Van Buren County, her death occur- 
ring in 1851. His second union was with Miss 
Cynthia Robb, and that marriage was also blessed 
with three children yet living — Robert, Harry and 
Fred. 

In politics, Mr. Kerr is a stanch supporter of the 
Democracy, and feels a deep interest in the success 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



353 



of that party. He cast his first Presidential vote 
for Andrew Jackson, of whom he was a great ad- 
mirer. He Iceeps himself well informed on all 
topics of general interest, whetiier political or 
olherwise, and is a representative citizen who is 
ever willing to aid in the advancement of enter- 
prises calculated to upbuild the connnunily in 
which he lives. Many of his characteristics arc 
such as to win him high regard, and by the people 
among whom he has s|)enl some forty-six years la- 
is greatly respected. Mrs. Kerr, who was a most 
estimable lady and whose friends were almost innu- 
merable, dieil in 1885. 



J'nOIlN II. ESHLEMAN is a leading citizen 
of Des Moines Township, Jefferson County, 
residing on section 3, where he is eng;igcd in 
' farming. Pennsylvania is the State of his 
nativity, and his birth occurred in Bedford County, 
in 1833. He was the second in a family of five 
children, whose parents, Samuel and Susan (Hoo- 
ver) Eshleman, were natives of Lancaster County, 
Pa. Their marriage was there celebrated, after 
which Mr. Eshleman engaged in farming in con- 
nection with work at his trade as a stonemason. 
With the hope of providina' a belter home for his 
family, in 1847, accompanied b3' wife and children, 
he emigrated to the new State of Iowa, and the 
same j'ear purchased eighty acres of land, the farm 
upon which our subject now resides. Three log cab- 
ins had been built tliureon. which constituted almost 
the entire improvements. He was a man of energy 
and ability, not afraid of work, and in consequence 
soon had a good home. He continued to reside in 
Jefferson (.'ounty until his death, which occurred 
in February, 1879. A respected citizen, the en- 
tire communilv mourned his loss an<l shared in the 
deep grief of the family'. His wife, who was a 
worthy helpmate to him, crossed over the dark 
river in 1873. Of their family four are yet living, 
namely: J. H., of this sketch; Susan, now Mrs. 
Ebe, who resides in California; Martin, a resident 



farmer of l>es Moines Township; Eliza, now Mrs. 
Teeter, of the same township. 

The first fourteen years of his life our subject 
spent in Bedford County, Pa., where he acquired a 
good common-school education. Accompanying 
his parents to Iowa in 1817, he was inured to hard 
labor in aiding in the develoimient of a farm, but 
his boyhood cxpeiience proved profitable to him in 
that he developed a self-reliance and knowledge of 
the work, wliich have been important factors in his 
success in after life. Throughout his business ca- 
reer he has carried on farming and to a considcr- 
ble extent has also engaged in freighting. 

In 1858, in Jefferson County', Mr. Eshleman 
was united in marriage with Miss Sarah Garber, 
who was born in Pennsylvania, and is a daughter 
of John and Sarah (Albaugh) Garber. who were 
also natives of the Keystone State. The year 1843 
witnessed the arrival of that family in Liberty 
Township, Jefferson County, Iowa, but the parents 
are both now deceased. Mr. Gaiber died in 1859, 
and his wife some twenty j^ears later. I'nto Mr. 
and Mrs. Eshleman were born four children yet 
living: Mary, now Mrs. McCartne3' of Locust 
Grove Township: Jane, at home; Ann, now Mrs. 
Kinney, of Wapello County, and Samuel, at home. 
The mother was called to her final rest in 18«7,and 
in April, 1889, in Jefferson Countj-, Mr. Eshleman 
wedded Mar}- Ehnaker, a native of Pennsylvania, 
whose parents were Jacob and Catherine El maker. 
Her family came to Jefferson County- in 1838, mak- 
ing a location in Des Moines Township, but both 
husband and wife are now deceased. 

Since his first mariiage Mr. Eshleman has resiiled 
upon one farm. He is numbei-ed among the pio- 
neers of the county, having for forty-three years 
made his home within its borders. The hardships 
and trials of piorteer life are not unknown to him, 
and in the difficulty of developing wild land he is 
not unversed. The main trading points in that 
early day were Keokuk and Ft. Madison, and as 
the roails were b.ad, it was often difficult to make 
the trii), especially in the spring time, but all this 
has since passed anil only the memories remain, 
together with the honur which is justly given to 
those who bore the arduois task of laying the 
foundation fur the present pros|)erity of the county- 



354 



PORTRAIT AND BIOORAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Mr. Eshleman always did his part. He is now 

ranked ninong the representative citizens of tlie 
founly and among its progressive farmers. His 
possessions embrace ninety-tliree acres in Ues 
Mr>ines Townsiiip, and fourteen acres in Locust 
Grove Township, all of which is well improved and 
provided with good Ijiiildings. In politics, he is a 
Republican, and has served as Supervisor of his 
township for two terms. lie was also a member of 
the .School Board, and botli he and his wife are 
members of the German Baptist Church. 



.5^^ IIARLES McGl'IRE, a gentleman of Irish 
^ descent, cngageil in farming on section 3, 




^J Lockridge Township, Jefferson County, is 
numbered among tlie pioneer settlers of Iowa of 
lH.il), and for forty-three years he has m.ade his 
home in this vicinity. Born on the 1 2th of Aug- 
ust. 1817, in Butler County. Ohio, he graced the 
union of Michael Mc(iuire and Klizabeth llinesley. 
Tlie McGuire family was founded in America by 
ti.e great-gr.'indfather of our subject at a compara- 
tively eoily day in the history of the colonies. 
Michael ^IcGuira was born in North Carolina, and 
reared to manhood upon a farm. After his mar- 
riage, which was celebrated in his native State, 
where the lady of his choice was also born, he re- 
moved to Ohio and the home was there gladdened 
bv the presence of six children. lie developed a farm 
from raw land in the Buckej-e State and gained 
a livelihood therefrom for twenty years. after which 
he sold out and removed to Randol|)h County. Ind., 
locating near Winchester, where he spent the ri'- 
mainder of his life. lie closed his eyes in death 
in 1H28, and his loss was mourned by the entire 
community. His good wife survived him some 
eighteen years and died at the home of her sou 
Charles in Iowa, in 1 H4(). The children born unto 
Mr. and Mrs. McGuire in Ohio were: Samuel, who 
died in Indiana; Thomas, whose death occurred in 
Missouri; Sarah, who became the wife of (ieorge 
Driver, and died near Rome, Iowa; Charles, of this 



sketch; Nancy, wife of Joseph llinesley, of Indiana, 
and Mary, wife of Alvin Chatterton,of McPherson, 
Kan. In Indiana, the family circle vvas increased 
bv the birth of a daughter, Elizabeth, who is now 
the wife of Andrew Cloyd of North Manchester, 
Ind. 

In the manner usual to farmer lads Charles Mc- 
Guire spent his boyhood days and during three 
months in the year — the winter season, he was per- 
mitted to attend the subscription schools, which was 
the only scholastic training he received. His father 
dying when he was quite 3'onng, to a great extend 
he was thrown upon his own resources and to [iro- 
vide for his maintenance he learned the tanner's 
trade. At the ago of sixteen he began working as a 
farm hand and continued to serve in that capacity 
until 18.39, when following Horace Greeley's advice 
he left his old home for the West, locating in what 
is now the city of Burlington, then a mere hamlet on 
the bank of the Mississippi. The succeeding autumn 
he removed to Rome. Henry County, which contin- 
ued to be his i)lacc of residence until 1847. when 
he came to his present farm. Only do the pioneers 
know of the hardships and privations borne by the 
frontier settlers. IMeans of communication with the 
outside world were very inefficient, traveling was 
difficult in those days and they thus were forced 
to struggle along, unaided save by the assistance 
Ihey rendered one another. Again, the work of 
developing and improving a faim from the raw 
prairie was no easy task and Mr. McGuiro sufTered 
the added diiliculty of poor health for about three 
years after his arrival in Iowa. He is now the 
owner of a good farm, but iti 1847. when he made 
a purchase of one hundred and ninety-four acri's. 
there was but little resemblance between that trad 
and his home of to-day. A little cabin constituted 
the improvements, but with char.-icterislic energy 
the work of development was carried forward and 
in due time the boundaries of the farm were ex- 
tended until it enibrarod forty additional acres. 
We find the Indians frequently visiting the settle- 
ment in that early period which witnessed the ar- 
rival of Mr. McGuire in the county, and wild game 
of all kinds was pKntif\d, but it has now become 
an honor to be numbered among the picnieers and 
he can forget the difficulties and trials which he en- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



3;-);) 



countered in the pleasure of knowing that he has 
imii a hand in producing tlie prt-sent prosperity 
which characterizes Soutl)caslcrn Iowa. 

On the 9th of July, 1 84G, Mr. McCluire was 
united in the holy bonds of matrimony with Miss 
Margaret Ross, daughter of Sullivan Sutherland 
and Mary Ann (Juniiin) Ross, bolli of whom were 
natives of Kentucky, whence they removed to In- 
diana. Htr father was reared in Lexington, Ky., 
and at the age of tvventy-Diie removed to Indiana, 
where lie entered land and on tiie 10th of Jul^-, 
1823, in Rush County, married Miss Junkin. 'I'hey 
removed to Missouri in 1831, and later became 
residents of Quincy, 111., where the death of jNIrs. 
Ross occurred. The family afterwards settled on 
the bank of the Mississippi, ju.'jt opposite Ft. JMad- 
ison, Iowa, and in 1834, became residents of the 
city of Burlington. Four years later we find them 
residing on a farm near J>ocUridge, where Mr. Ross 
bniltand operated a mill. The gold excitement drew 
him to California in 1851, but two years later he 
returned to Iowa, and settled near Rome, Henry 
County, whence they removed to Eddyvilie, Wap- 
ello County, where he died in 18.o7. He was twice 
married, by his first union lie liad six children and 
by liie second, four children were born. William 
J., the eldest of the family, is living in Reno 
County. Kan.; Nancy, wife of S. J. Bonnafield, 
died in California; Margaret, born Maj* 27, 1827, 
in Rush County-, Ind., is now Mrs. McGuirc; 
Thomas E., died in IS")!; James H.. and Eliza .1., 
the two remaining children of the first marriage 
are also deceased. Mr. Ross was twice elected to 
the constitutional conventions of low.i, and w.as a 
prominent and influential citizen of the State. 

The family of Mr. and Mrs. McGuire numbers 
five children, as follows: Mary E.. who was born in 
Februarj', 1850. and is now the wife of Henry 
Smithein, a stock raiser of Nevada; Thomas R., 
born in 1851, married Sarah Madden, of Brighton, 
Iowa, and is now living in Greenfield, Adair 
County; Charles .S., born in 1854, is located in 
Lyon County, Kan.; William M., born in 1851t, re- 
sides on the old homestead and assists his father in 
operating the same; .Samuel, born in 18G2, makes 
his home with his parents. Good common-school 
advantages were offered these children, that they 



might lie fitted for the active duties of life and by 
the discharge of the same become useful citizens. 
The mother of the family is a member of the 
Presbyterian Church. Mr. McGuire is a Democrat 
in [jolitics and frequently serves as a member of the 

j county and congressional conventions. His opin- 
ions are of weight in those assemblies and he is con- 
sidered an influential member of that party. He'cast 

I his first Presidential vote for Martin Van Bnren. 
Several tiraej he has been called upon to serve in 
public positions, for four years he held the odice 
of Justice of the Peace, two terms acted as Assessor 
and for eleven years has been a member of the 
School Board. 



-^^s-Jii^e 



L'GUST WALGREN,a farmer residing on 
^f^\\ section 9, Lockriilge Township, Jefferson 
A County, was born on the 11th of .Septem- 
ber, 1827, in Sweden. Most of his family 
were engaged in .agricultural iiursnits but his 
grandfather was in the government service, in- 
spector of government land. His father in his 
youth learned the tailor's trade wliicli he followed 
for many years. He also operated a farm for some 
time and could turn his hand to almost any kind of 
labor. In 182G. he niurried Miss Christina ^\'al- 
gren. His own name was Peter Samuelson, but our 
subject took his mother's name. Mr. .Samuelson 
continued business operations in his native land 
until his death, which occurred in 1850. Soon 
afterward the family came to America and made a 
settlement in Hurlington, lovva, where tliev re- 
mained one year. There were five children in the 
family, the eldest of whom is August, the subject 
of this sketch; Caroline died in Jefferson Coiintv; 
John went to California in 1852, and was last heard 
of in 1861 when he started home, but he never 
reaclie<l his destination and it is supposed that he 
was uimdcrcd while on a Mississipiii steamer; 
Andrew, a resident of Burlington, is in the employ 
of the Chicago. Burlington ifc Quincy Railroad 
Company. He served in the First Iowa Infantry 



3J0 



PORTUAH AM) mOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



(liiiinn; the late war and was Sergeant at tlie battle 
of Wilsons' Cieck. Lewis Peter entered the ser- 
vice in the First Nebraska ReKiment and after be- 
ing wounded received his discharge. Later he re- 
enlisted ill the Seventh Iowa Cavalri', was made 
Sergeant and remained a faithful follower of the 
old flag until the close of the war. He is now liv- 
ing in VI. Davis, Tex. 

Onr subject spent the days of his boyhood and 
youth in his native land and the year succeeding 
his arrival in America, was united in marriage with 
Miss Anna Peterson, who came to this country in 
1840. Their union was celebrated In Hurlinglon, 
June 24, 1851, and the succeeding autumn they 
sought a home in .lefferson County, locating in 
Lockridge Township, wheie Mr. Walgren purchased 
sixty acres of land. Thai tract was covered with 
timber, deer and smaller wild game was to be found 
in abundance and the Indians were yet frequent 
visitors in the settlement. Not a furrow having 
been turned upon his land, he had to begin at the 
veiy first to develop a fai m and for ten years he de- 
voted himself exclusively to work in that line in 
which period a great transformation was wrought, 
changing the hitherto uncultivated tract into rich 
and fertile fields wliicli yielded abundant harvests. 

liul in the meantime events were shaping them- 
selves which changed his mode of life. The Civil 
War was in progress. His country needed men and 
no longer could he resist the apjieals made for 
volunteers but with his heart in the cause and him- 
self ready to give up his life if need be for his coun- 
try, he entered the service on the 19th of October, 
18G1, as a member of Company M, Fourth Iowa 
Cavalry. His regiment was engaged in warfare 
against the guerriil.as in the Southwest and al- 
iliough their duty did not win them fame as other 
service might have done, it was none the less ardu- 
ous or important. On account of the hardships 
and ex|)osures incident to that life, Mr. Walgren 
was taken with bleeding at the lungs and became 
so weak that he had to be lifted on his horse. At 
length he was granted a sick furlough of thirty 
days but it took twenty-eight days to reach St. 
Louis and so his time was extended. When he 
again reported for duty he was made ward master 
ill the hospital at Keokuk and was transferred to the 



One Hundred and Sixty -seventh Veteran Reserve 
Corps. After three years and two months he re- 
ceived his discharge, the war having then been 
brought to a successful termination. 

After his return home, Mr. Walgren acted as 
traveling minister for some eleven years in Iowa, 
and also spent two years in Michigan and one j'ear 
in Illinois, in the same (^apacitJ^ His labors were 
arduous but his interest in the work allowed him 
little rest until at length, in 1873, broken down in 
health, he had to retire to his farm fur recupera- 
tion. Five years later he removed to his present 
home wher£ he owns and operates a good farm of 
three hundred and fort^'-five acres, on which may 
be found good buildings, all necessar}^ imi)rovc- 
ments and a commodious and tasty residence just 
completed. In connection with the operation of 
his land he operates a stone quarry and also devotes 
considerable attention to the raising of fine stock, 
making a specialty of Short-horn cattle and Bel- 
gium horses. With no capital save a young man's 
bright hope of the future he started out in life. 
The New World furnished attractions for him and 
he resolved to here seek his fortune. Choosing the 
AVestas the scene of his labors he began operations, 
determined to succeed if he could accomplish suc- 
cess bj' honorable methods. Almost a third of a 
century has since come and gone, and in the exer- 
cise of his business talents and by industry, perse- 
verance, and above all, by fair and hones', dealing, 
he has won a handsome competence and gained the 
respect and good will of all with whom he has 
come in contact. His life work is worth}' of emu- 
lation and with the hope that some one will be in- 
spired with renewed efforts by the ],crusal of this 
brief sketch, we insert it in the volume of his coun- 
t3''s history. Socially, Mr. Walgren is a member 
of George Strong Post, No. 19, G. A. R., of Fair- 
field. In his earlier years, his views were in har- 
mony with the principles of the Democratic parly 
but ere he had attained the right of citizenship his 
ideas underwent a change and he cast his first Presi- 
dential vote for John C. Fremont. The Republican 
party has since found in hiin a stalwart sup|)orter. 

We have said little concerning Mrs. Walgren 
who has been a true helpmate to her husband along 
life's journey. For thirty-nine years she has shared 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL AL15UM. 



357 



with him tiie joys and sorrows, the adversity and 
successes which choclier tl\o life of men .-111(1 by iier 
assistance ami enconrarjini,' words lias chine not a 
little for his prosperons efforts. Tlieir union has 
lieen blessed with fourteen children, the eldest of 
whom, Andrew W.. is now living in Saliiia; Albert 
is at home; Anna R., is now a resident of Wyo- 
minii; where she owns some land; Arlluir W.,and Jos- 
eph ().. are alsolivin;; in Wyomini;; Kinma F. is the 
wife of Mr. Krunipltz; Lewis is located in Denver, 
Col. ; Henrietta lives in Wyoming; "Wesley, Frank- 
lin, and Hannah .May. aie still at home. The other 
members of the familj' aie deceased. 

The children have all received good educational 
advantages, thus being fitted for the practical du- 
ties of life, and like their parents are members of 
the Methodist Church. The family, so widely 
known throughout JetTeison County, is wellWorthv 
of representation in this volume. 



-Er- 



^IjOHN HOSTETLER, a representative farmer 
residing on section 10, Lockridge Town- 
I sliip, .Jefferson County, has been a witness 
(v^j^ of the growth of Iowa during almost its 
entire existence as a State and in the onward 
march of progress has been found in the front 
ranks. France is the land of his nativity and 
.September, 1810, the date of his birth. His parents, 
Peter and Margaret Hostetler were born and reared 
in the same neighborhood in France. The father 
died when John was al)out nine months old and 
lie was left an orphan at tlie age of sixteen. Six 
children were born unto that worth}' couple but 
only two of the number are now living. Anna 
dieri in France; Barbara, widow of Jacob Eiclier, 
is living in Washington County, Iowa; Abraham 
died in Henry County; Peter .and Ciiristian died 
in France; and John completes tlie family. 

Tlie life of our subject has been one of unremit- 
ting toil until within the past few jxars, when, hav- 
ing acquired a competency, he is enabled to Lay 
aside the more arduous labors and enjoy the fruits 



of former service.' ["He began to m.ike his own way 

iii'.the]world at the early age'of ten years, when he 
coniiiienced work at herding sheep which he con- 
tinued some five years. Tin 182o, a lad of fifteen 
summers,' ho Jbegan 'the weaver's trade which he 
folloH-ed'iintil his emigration to America in 1837. 
Attracted by the opportunities afforded young men 
for advaiiceiiicnt in tliat7country, he braved tlie 
dangers of an ocean; voyage in the slow moving 
sail vessels which tlien took passengers; across the 
Atlantic, and embarkcd^for tlie New World. He 
made his first location in ^Wayiie County. Ohio, 
where for a year he followed his trade of weaving. 
He then engaged in variousjpursuits whereby] he 
might earn an homjst dollar, including wood chop- 
ping and other laborious t.asks. Some years passed 
by in that w.ay and in 1848, proceeding by river, 
he came to the new State of' Iowa]'and from the 
Government purchased one hundred and sixty- 
acres of wild land on section 10, Lockridge Town- 
ship. His first home, a log cabin, still continues 
to be his place of residence but in his farm great 
changes have taken place. The land, which at the 
time of his purchase was covered with brush and 
timber, has all been cleared and plowed and its 
boundaries have been extended, until now three 
hundred and one acres jiay tribute to his care and 
cultivation. 

In the year of his arrival in Iowa. Mr. Hostetler 
led to the marriage altar Miss Fannie Ernst, a na- 
tive of Germany, who bore him one child, but both 

I mother and babe were laid awav in the same grave. 

! In 1857, he formed a matrimonial alliance with 
Catherine Bossard, a native of France, and unto 
them have been born six children, four of whom 
are yet living. Joseph, the eldest of the family, 
who was born April 18, 1858, is now renting the 
old homestead and in the operation of the farm dis- 
plays excellent business ability. He is an intelligent, 
entery)rising young man who already has won an 
honored place in the regard of his many friends. 
He possesses the energy, thrift and other necessary 
qualifications which in time will secure him a posi- 
tion in the front rank of his fellow citizens, and the 
higli esteem of his friends will ever remain with 
him. The younger children of the family are 
Katie, w.io was born August 10. 1850, and is now 



roirn; All' and biograi'Hical album. 



the wife of C liiis Mdwery. oi Uavis Cuiinly, Iowa; 
.lolin. who was born Miueh 12, ISfil. and is now 
located in Oregon; and Saiali. at home. Fler birth 
ocfurifd May 18. ISC.G, and tiie two otiicr children 
of the family died in yontli. 

Mr. Hosteller is a friend of edncation and 
jirovided his children with such advantages as 
would fit thoin for the practical duties of life. He 
and his family belong to the Ornish Church and in 
politics, lie lias ever supported the Democratic party 
but has never been a politician in the sense of 
oHice seeking. Many changes have occurred since 
he came to the county, at which time Iowa gave 
little promise of her present prosperity. In this 
neighborhood game of all kinds, was to be found in 
abundance and furnished many a meal for the 
s.ttlers; the great part of the land was still un- 
claimed and the homes of the pioneers were widely 
scattered. >'o one feels a greater pride in the 
advancement which has been made than Mr. Hos- 
teller, who for forty-lwo years has resided in Jeffer- 
son Countv. 



#^^ 




(Archibald GILCHRI.ST. contractor and 
builder of Fairfield, has followed his pres- 
ii ent business since the age of twentj'-two 
years, and in the pursuit of hi.s chosen 
trade, h.as done not a little for the upbuilding and 
advancement of this community. He was born in 
■Westmoreland County, Pa.. .Tanuary 1, 1837, and 
was the fourth in order of birth in a family of eight 
children, whose i)arents were Joseph and Eliza 
(.McAllister) Gilchrist. His parents were both of 
Scotch descent, and were natives of the Keystone 
Stale. His father was twice married, his firsl union 
being with a sister of his second wife, and unto 
them were born two children. By the second mar- 
riage eight children were born, as already stated, 
and of the complete number, nine are living. Hav- 
ing engaged in farming in Pennsylvania until 18C8, 
Mr. (iilchrist then removed to \'an Buren County, 
Iowa, whert he and his wife spent their last days. 



His death occurred at the age of seventy-eight 
years, and his wife departed this life when ten years 
younger. They were members of the Presbyterian 
Church, were people highly esteemed by their 
many friends, and in politics, he was a Whig, and 
later a Republican. 

Although reared to farm life, Archibald Gil- 
christ determined to engage in some other pursuit 
.as his life work, and at the age of twent3'-two}'ears 
began learning the trade of cabinet-making and 
carpentering, at which he became a proficient work- 
man. In 1861, he married Eliza Kirkpatrick, but 
she survived their union only about a year. 

Having lost his wife, and with no home duties to 
bind him, Mr. Gilchrist followed his patriotic im- 
pulses, and in August, 1863, enlisted in the service 
as a member of Company- F, Sixt^'-third Pennsyl- 
vania Infantrj'. He joined the army of the Poto- 
mac at Culpeper Court House, Va., and was with 
the Third Armj' Corps until its consolidation with 
the Second Army Corps, which was commanded by 
Gen. Hancock. He participated in raanj" skir- 
mishes anfl a number of important battles, includ- 
ing the engagement at Mine Run, the battles of the 
Wilderness, Cold Harbor, Spottsylvania, the siege 
of Petersburg, and the capture of Lee at Appomat- 
tox. Through his entire service he was never 
wounded or taken prisoner, and on the 18th of 
July, 1865, was honorably disch.arged at Pittsburg. 

When the w,ar was over, Mr. Gilchrist returned 
to his home and eng.aged in the undertaking and 
cabinet-nT'king business in Madison, Westmoreland 
County, Pa. He was- again married November 6, 
1867, the lad}' of his choice being Miss Mary M. 
Clendenin, who was born in Westmoreland Count}', 
June 9, 1840, and is a daugliter of David and 
Nancy (Barr) Clendenin, who were also natives of 
the Keystone State. By occupation her father was a 
farmer, and followed that business throughout his 
entire life. He died at the age of sixtj'-six years, 
but his wife is still living in Missouri, and h.as now 
attaine<l her eightieth year. Of their family of 
eight children, the wife of our subject is the fourth 
in order of birth. 

The year 1869 witnessed the removal of Mr. Gil- 
christ from his native State to Greenwood, Jackson 
Count}-, Mo., where he worked at cabinet-making 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



359 



and uiulertaklng for some five yeais.'nt the expira- 
tion of wiiicli time we'liiul him en route for Iowa. 
Making a location in Fairfield, in i874, lie assisted 
in buildi'ig I'arsons College, and a number of other 
buildings.' ile then si)ent two years in a furniture 
factory, since whieii time lie has devoted iiis lime 
and energies to his present business, that of con 
tractlngand building. Thoroughly conversant with 
the trade, capable of planning and superintending 
the work, and conscientious in the fuUlilinent of all 
contracts, he has won the confidence and regard of 
the comniniiity, and thereby sccureil a liberal pat- 
ronage, which he justl}' uieiits. lie was bridge 
builder for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy 
Railroail for two years, was the liuilder of the Sav- 
ings Bank, and has erected several of the finest resi- 
dences of Fairfield, including that of Mrs. Ilenn's 
and his own home. In April, 18S)(), he admitted 
to partnership in the linsiness. W. S. Cook, and the 
firm of Gilchrist & Cook ranks first among the con- 
tractors of Fairfield. They employ about ten men 
and their trade is constantly increasing. 

The Gilchrist home is t!ie abode of hospitality, 
and our subject and his worthy wife hohi an envi- 
able position in the social world. 'I'lieir union was 
blessed with no children of their own. tint tlie>' 
reared an orphan child, Krie R. Mr. (ulclirisl has 
served as a Director in the Fairfiehl Building and 
Loan Association. In politics, he is a Republican, 
liaving supported that party since casting his^ first 
Presidential vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1860. 



■^^:^^0^^^i^f^^-^^ 



)I(_„^ON. BEN.IAMIN K. VALE, President of 
\i the Farmers' it Traders' Bank, of Bona- 
parte. Van Buren County', is well and favor- 
ably known throughout Southern low-a. He 
s a rejiresentaliveof the best class of citizens — one 
WHO feels an interest in public affairs and cheer- 
ully performs any labor wliich will promote the 
goneral welfare of the community. His birth oc- 
curred on the 4lh of .lune, l.slH, in Jefferson 
Lounty, Ohio, and he came to Iowa in 1850 and 



to this county in 1856. Ills primary education, 
which was acquired in the public schools, was sup- 
plemented by a course in the Academy of Birming- 
ham, Van Buren County, and in 18G8 he entered 
the Monmouth College, of Monmouth, III., being 
graduated, on his completion of the classical course, 
in 1873. It w.as his intention then to take up the 
study of law. In fact, he had made partial arrange- 
ments to enter the law department of the Iowa 
State liiiversity, but circumstances so shaped 
themselves that lie"gave up thai ide:i. turning his 
attention to other pursuits. He is now engaged to 
a considerable extent in stock growing in Harris- 
burg Townshi)). and has met with good success in 
that line. As before stated, he is connected with 
the Farmers' & Traders' Bank, of Bonaparte. Iowa, 
.as it» President, and the success of that institution 
is due in no small degree to Mr. Vale.wlio possesses 
good business ability, energy and a straightfor- 
ward manner, which wins the confidence of all 
with whom he comes in contact. 

It was in February, 1874. that Mr. ^'aIe led to 
the marriage altar Miss Julia Biddle, daughter of 
Dr. Biddle, of Kirk wood. III., one of the prominent 
physicians of that town. They began their do- 
mestic life in Ilarrisburg Township, but in 1885 he 
built a residence in Bonaparte and removed his 
family to that tovvn. the cause of the removal 
being his wife's health. There were four children 
born of their union, one son and three daughters 
— Anne R., M.ay B.. Margaret K. and Bruce Rex. 
Mr. Vale has the honor of being President of the 
National Anti-IIorse Thief Association. Both he and 
his wife are nienibers of the l'iesl)yterian Church, 
and in the social world arc held in high regard. In 
politics he is a stanch supporter of Republican 
])rinciples, having cast his ballot with that part^' 
since attaining his majoril3-. In the fall of 1887 
he was n(miiiiated In' his party for the otlice of 
.State Senator and triumphantl_v elected, represent- 
ing his constituents in the Upper House faithfully 
and well. He proved an intluential member of 
the Legislature and gave his support to all meas- 
ures calculated to aid the general community. The 
school interests of the community have engaged 
his attention, he having served for eight years as 
Secretary and seven years as President of the 



3C0 



POKTRAIT AND 15I0GRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



School Board. He is also connected witli several 
slock breeding associations, and is now I'resideiit 
of the National Swiiic Hroeders' Association, wliich 
is beneficinl in devclopino; stocii and slipping legis- 
lation. Tlio i"'i''l'^' ""*' private life of Mr. Vale, 
aliiso. are alxivc riproach. He is a man of sterling 
worth and strict integrity, witli many commend- 
able characteristics, and il is with pleasure that 
we present this brief sketch of liis life to tlie 
rcadi-rs of the Album. 



* • m W w- 



-v^^. HARLES D. Fl'LLEN, of tiio firm of Jones 



ife FiiUen, attorneys at law of Fairfield, 



Iowa, w.HS born in Agency City, Wapello 
County, this State, on the 8th of Jul}-, 1860, and 
is the son of Jolin and Maggie (Sage) Fiillen. 
His father, wiio is of Irish descent, was horn in 
New York C'il}', and !iis motlier, a native of In- 
diana, belongs to an old A'irginia family. Mr. 
Fnilen, Sr., came to Jefferson County, Iowa, in 
1855, when yet a single man, and here married 
Miss Sage. lie removed witii iiis j'oung wife to 
Wapello County in 1851), and is still residing in 
Agency City, but the mother of our subject died 
in Februar}-, 1886. 

Charles I). Fullen received the advantages of a 
lilieral education, continuing his studies in the 
Iowa Wesleyan University, of Mt. Pleasant, after 
leaving the public schools of his native town. He 
then entered the Chicago Universitj', of Chicago, 
and on tlie completion of a legal course of study- 
was graduated from the law deiiartment of the 
Iowa State Universit3-, in the class of '80. After 
spending a few weeks in Texas, he began practice 
in Ottuniwa, but on the 9th of August, 1882, re- 
moved to Fairfield, whire he has engaged in active 
practice continuously since. In December, 1883, 
he formed tlie existing partnership with 1. D. 
Jones, and the firm has taken a prominent place in 
the ranks of the profession. 

Mr. Fullen was married in Mt. Pleasant, on the 
otli of December, 18S1, the lady of !iis choice be- 



ing Miss Anna B. Julian, a daughter of M. L. 
Julian, now of Fairfield. She was born in Adams 
County, III. Two children grace their marriage, 
both sons: Fred Julian, Ixjrn May 25, 1883, and 
Donald Douglas, who was born on the 15th of De- 
cember, 1888. .Mrs. Fullen was reared a Methodist, 
but with her husband attends the Congregational 
Church. 

In politics Mr. Fullen is a Democrat, with all 
the name implies. National and State. He has been 
an active and influential member of that party for 
j'ears. For four years past he has been a member 
of the Democratic State Central Committee for the 
First District, and has ever been active in conven- 
tions and in promoting the success of the part}'. 
He was the Democratic candidate for Representa- 
tive at the last general election, and while the ordi- 
nary Republican majority of tlie district is between 
four luindied and twent3'-five and four hundred 
and fifty, he was defeated by but sevent^'-one 
votes. Mr. Fullen is a memlier of Clinton Lodge, 
No. 15, A. F. & A. M., and is also a member of the 
Odd Fellows society, belonging to Jefferson Lodge, 
No. 4. He is one of the rising young law3'ers of 
the .Stiite, and has gained a fair share of the legal 
business of the Jefferson County bar. 



-S^i^* 



♦ j ^ 




ILLIA:\I H. MOHR, a furniture dealer 
and leading business man of Fairfield, has 
passed almost his entire life in this city, 
having been brought bj' his parents to Jefferson 
('ounty when a babe of a year. Pennsylvania is 
the State of his nativity, his birth having occurred 
in Schuylkill County, on the 4th of Februarj', 
1857. His parents. Henry and Angelina (Schoener) 
Mohr, with atlcsire to receive financial benefits and 
and make for their famil}' a comfortalile home, 
emigrated to the West in 1858. Having attained 
a sufficient age, William was placed in the public 
schools, where he acquired a good practical English 
education, and was tlierebv fitted for the duties of 
life. When a young man of twenty-four years he 



m 




W. W. NELSON, 




MRS. NELSON. 



1 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



365 



eiiUTod II [ion his business caieer, forming a part- 
iicrsliip ill 1881 with Dnvid R. Beally under the 
linn name of Bcatt\- cfc Molir, dealers in hardware 
and agricultural implements. Their business pros- 
pered, and their connection continued until Kebru- 
ary 1, 1889, when Mr. Mohr sold his interest to his 
partner and embarked in the furniture business, 
which he still continues. 

On the 18lh of February, 18S0, Mr. Mohr led to 
the niarriajje altar Miss Lettie J. Dewey, daughter 
of Ralph Dewey. Their union was celebrated in 
Washington, Iowa, of which cit3' the lady is a na- 
tive. Altliough she has made her home in this 
community but a short time, her estimable quali- 
ties have already won her man3' warm friends, and 
in the sooial world Mr. ^lohr and his wife hold a 
high position. He is a member of Forest City 
Lodge, No. 37, K. P., and in his political affiliation 
is a Republican, having supported that party since 
attaining his majoritj'. He is now doing a flour- 
ishing business as a furniture clealer. and carries a 
stock valued at •i;35,000. He has a line assortment 
of furiiiiure of the various grades and prices to 
meet the popular demand, and his establishment is 
widclv and favorably known throughout the 
county. He has gained a reputation for fair deal- 
ing that has won the confidence and respect of all 
with whom he has business relations, and it is with 
pleasure that we record his sketch among those of 
the representative business men of Fairfield. 



•^ 



_^Ei- 



ylLLIA.M W. NELSON, M. D., has for 
thirty years beea successfully engaged in 
^ ^ the practice of medicine in this commun- 
ity. His home is in Birmingham. He was born on 
November 30, 1834, in Wayne County, Ohio, and 
is a son of William and Elizabeth (Wilson) Nel- 
son. His father was born in Mercer County, Pa.. 
December 5. IT'.tO. and was descended from Irish 
ancestry. He served in the War of 1812, and in 
Penns-ylvania, he niarricil .Aliss Elizabeth Wilson, 
who was born in Ireland, May L'.'i, IT'.H, and who, 



in her childhood accompanied her parents to this 
country and located in Pennsylvania. Soon after 
their marriage they removed in 1817, to Waj'ne 
County, Ohio, near Rowsburg, where Mr. Nelson 
engaged in farming until 183G, when he removed 
to Richland County, (now Ashland) and located 
on a farm near Savannah until 1845, when he 
traded his land in that locality for a tract in Wash- 
ington Township, \'an Buren County, Iowa, to 
which he then removed. He was a Whig, afterward 
an Abolitionist and in turn became a Republican. 
Both he and his wife were members of the Associ- 
ate Presbj-terian Church, but afterward joined the 
United Presb^yterian. He died September 24, 18G0, 
and Mrs. Nelson passed away on the 7th of Octo- 
ber, 1858. In their family were nine children, of 
whom seven lived to be adults, while three are j'et 
living — Hugh, a farmer of Van Buren County; 
Ann, widow of Joseph Dawson, of Washington 
County, Iowa, and the Doctor. 

Our subject is the youngest of the familj'. Hav- 
ing alten<led the district schools, he was not content 
to consider his education then finished but through 
his own resources acquired the means by whicli he 
was enabled to attend W.ashington College for two 
years. Ilis taste lay in the line of medical practice 
and in 1857, he went to Wooster, Ohio, where he 
read medicine with Drs. Day ck Wilson. During the 
winter of 1858-9, he attended a course of lectures 
in the medical department of the Iowa State Uni- 
versity at Keokuk, and the following 3'ear com- 
pleted a course of study in the Jeflferson Medical 
College of Philadelphia, Pa., where he graduated 
March 12, 18G(), although he has continued a stu- 
dent up to the present time, keeping himself well 
informed on all matters pertaining to the profes- 
sion, its discoveries and the advancement made in 
the science. 

Soon after his gradtiaLion, Dr. Nelson was unilo<l 
in marriaife on March 20, 1860, with Miss Almira 
Matthews, a native of Lawrence County, Pa., born 
.Inly 22, 1839. Immediately after he returned 
with his bride to Van Buren Count}-, locating in 
PierceviUe, in the summer of 186(1, where the}- be- 
gan their domestic life. On the 19th of August, 
1862, he was commissioned by Cov. Kirkwood as 
First Assistant Surgeon of the Fifteenth Iowa lu- 



366 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



faiilry, and mustered into service by Lieut. Charles 
.1. Ball of [llie'/riiirtcenth Infantry. United States 
nnislerinjjr officer. September 11, 18G2, at Keokuk. 
Me joined his regiment at Iiika, Miss., but soon 
afterward was taken with malarial fever and lay in 
tlie general liospilal^at Corinth. Miss., some tliree 
weeks, suflfering severely, and recovering, he tiicii 
rejoined his regiment at Grand Junction. Tenii. 
In the spring of ISOS. he was ordered to take 
eliarge of a smallpox hospital at Lake Province, 
La.,by order'of Gen. McPherson. After a month 
he was relieved and placed in charge of the Sixth 
Division Pioneer Corps, commanded by Capt. 
Davis, of the Thirty-second Illinois Infantry. Re- 
turning to his regiment in August, 180:5. he had 
charge of the sick of the brigade when the regi- 
ments went on the inarch to Monroe, La. After a 
short sickness and an absence, on furlough, of 
twenty days, given by Gen. Grant at Vicksburg. he 
rejoined his regiment and had charge of two com- 
panies detached for duty at the arsenal near Vicks- 
burg, and also had charge of a pioneer corps and 
enwineer regiment commanded by Capt. .lolin AVil- 
son. He remained with the above command until 
the spring of IHGl, when he was placed in charge 
of non-veterans and recruits of the Iowa Brigade, 
and had charge of this detachment until their re- 
spective commands joined them near lluntsville, 
Ala., when he was placed in charge of the Third 
Iowa Veteran Infantry, with which he remained 
until it was consolidated with the Second Veteran 
Infantry near Jones' Plantation. Ga.,on Sherman's 
march to the sea. Thereafter, the Doctor rejoined 
his regiment and from December 22, 1864, uiitil 
he was mustered out he was the only medical officer 
with the command. He participated in the battles of 
Corinth, Vicksburg, Atlanta, .ind Hentonsville, and 
the Grand Review at Washington, D. C, May 24, 
i860, and was mustered out with his regiment at 
Louisville, Ky., July 24, 18G.'), at the close of the 
war. In the fallof the same year, the Doctor located 
in Uirnungham. where he has since been successfully 
engaged in the practice of his chosen profession, with 
tiie exception of 1874, when with his family he vis- 
ited the Pacific coast in the pursuit of health and re- 
turned the following year. He has a good record 
as a physician and surgeon, as is inilicated by a 



liberal patronage, fie holds the ofHce of Secretary 
of the [, nited States Pension Examining Board, of 
his count}-, is a Repulilican in politics and the 
owner of two hundred and twenty acres of im- 
proved land. Unto himself.and wife were Ijorn 
seven children of whom two died in infancy. Those 
living are as follows: Jlelilou \V..a farmer of Lick 
Creek Township. Van Buren County; Nettie X.; 
Minnie A., wife of Allen B. Adams, of Selraa; 
Audley E. and Mary L., who are students at Par- 
sons College. The family holds a high |)(isiliou in 
the social world and the Doctor has won a like en- 
viable rank in the medical fraternity. In religious 
sentiment the Doctor ami his wife are inilependent. 
and anti sectarian. 

Mrs. Nelson's grandfather, Jacob Matthews, was 
born in Maryland, in 1775. His ancestors were of 
Alsace. France, or of German descent. He married 
Miss Mary Boyl, who was born in Ireland, and 
their family consisted of three children, one son 
and two daughters. At an early day the}' moved 
to Lawrence County. Pa., and located on a farm 
near Kdenburg. He served in the AVar of 1.S12, 
and died at the age of eighty-four. His only son. 
Piilllip Matthews, Mrs. Nelson's father, married 
Miss Nancy Book, of the same county. Their 
family consisted of ten children, two sons and 
eight daughters. One son and two daughters died 
in childhood. The other son, George B. Matthews, 
Mrs. Nelson's remaining brother, served four j-ears 
in the One Hunchedlh Pennsylvania Veteran \'()1- 
unteers, and was killed in the battle of the Wil- 
derness. One sister died at iuaturit\-. and three 
still survive. 



*:^^ 



^^ 



IZ^^ENRY CLAY RANEY, attorney-nt-law, of 

Fairfield, was born in Cedar Township. .lef- 

i<^ ferson Count}', on the lltli of Deeeinlier, 

1855, and has spent the greater part of his 

life in this county, where he is widely known as a 

jiromising young lawyer and enterprising citizen. 

His ()Rrents are William and Hannah M. (Looiiiis) 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALHU.M. 



367 



Raney. His father, a native of Berkeley County. 
Va., first came to Iowa on a [jrospectiiig tour in 
1844, and two years later located in the new State, 
making a settlement in Van Biiren Count}', wbence 
he removed to Jefferson County in 18.J1. lie here 
met and married Mrs. Raney, who came with her 
parents to the county in 1839. Her father, Na- 
thaniel Loomis, was a native of New York, but 
(jrevious to liis emigration to Iowa had been a resi- 
dent of Holmes County, Ohio. Both Mr. and 
Mrs. Raney are still living and make their home 
on a farm, where they settled in 1851. 

The subject of this sketch, Henry Clay Raney. 
spent his boyhood days in the usual manner of 
farmer lads, and until he had attained his majority 
remained at home, aiding his father in the culti- 
vation of the land. He pursued a collegiate course 
after attaining his majority, graduating witli tlie 
first class from Parsons College, June 16, 1880. 
Previously he had attended the .academy at Bir- 
mingham during several winter seasons, but on the 
return of summer he would again be found fol- 
lowing the plough. However, he resolved to enter 
upon some other occupation or profession as his 
life work, and made choice of the law. After com- 
pleting his college course, he began fitting himself 
for legal practice in the office of Leggett & Mc- 
Kemey. In August, 1882, he was admitted to the 
District nnd Circuit Courts of the State, and four 
years later, in October, 1886, was admitted to 
practice in the Supreme Court of the State, and 
in the United Stales Circuit and District Courts. 
He continued with the firm of Leggett <fe Mc- 
Kemey until December 4, 1883, and then began 
practice in his present oflice, where he has now car- 
ried on business for seven years. He is also con- 
nected with one of the leading industries of Fair- 
field, being a partner in the Drain and Tile Works, 
in which he purchased an interest in October, 1886. 

On the 8th of Keliruary, 1883, in Bircuinghain, 
Iowa, Mr. Raney was joined in wedlock with Miss 
Mary M. Bogle, a daughter of Samuel Bogle, of that 
place, and a native of Lick Creek Township, \an 
r.uren County. Unto them were born four chil- 
dren, two of whom are now living — William Alex, 
the eldest, died at the age of one month; Uianklin 
Clay w.is born August 8, 1886; Ralph Bogle died 



at the age of one year; and Klery Murray was 
born March 11, 1890. 

Mr. and Mrs. Ran(!y are members of the Presby- 
terian Church, and in the social world are held in 
high regard, having many warm friends through- 
out the community. In politics he is a supporter 
of Republican principles .and has served as City 
Solicitor of Fairfield for four years, proving a cap- 
able and ellicicnt officer. He possesses energy and 
determination, and his success in life is assured if 
he continues in his present course. 



JOSEPH A. JOHNSON, one of the leading 
young business men of lionaparte. Van Burcn 
County, now holds the position of Cashier 
of the Farmers' & Traders' Bank. He was 
born in the town which is yet his home, on the 
on the '27th of July, 1862, his parents being early 
settlers of the communitj'. His education was 
accpiired in the common schools of his native 
town, and on leaving the schoolroom he began his 
l)n^iness career as an employe in the Post-office 
under J. P. Davis, with whom he remained un- 
til the year 1879. In that jear he took charge 
of his father's l)usincss, and continued operations 
in tliatline until his father sold out, when he en- 
tered the employ of Thomas Christ^-, for whom he 
was to operate a store while his employer dis- 
eharged the duties of Cashier of the Farmers' <fe 
Traders' Biink, of Bonaparte. In 1883 Mr. John- 
son was made Assistant Cashier of the same bank, 
with which he has now been connected seven years. 
At the death of the Cashier, which occurred in 
1SH7, he was promoted to that position, which he 
still holds. He has proved himself a worthy of- 
ficer in the bank, being faithful and conscientious 
in the discharge of every <Uity, and ranks among 
the leading young business men of \an Buren 
County. 

In the month of October, 1887, .Mr. Johnson was 
united in marriage with Miss Mary E. Welch, 



3G8 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 




ilaiiuliter of the Rcr. James and Maggie (Buck) 
WfUli. Iler fallicr is a Pix'sbyteriun minister and a 
most worthy man. Mrs. Joiinson was born in Iho 
Buckeye State, and is a member of the Presbyterian 
Church. In politics Mr. Johnson is a stanch sup 
porter of Democratic principles and does all in liis 
power to promote the interests of his party. The 
Lome of this young couple is noted for its hospi- 
tality, and both hnsliand and wife rank high in the 
social world, where intelligence and ability are the 
passports to society. They are now surrounded by 
many warm friends, and the business as well as the 
social relations of Mr. Johnson might well be a 
subject of envy. 



— ^— ^ 



^. IIARLES BALDWIN and his wife, who are 
now residing in Keosauqua, rank among 
the pioneers of Van Buren County, the hus- 
band dating his residence from March, 1811, and 
Mrs. Baldwin from the spring of 1840. They have 
thus been witnesses of almost its entire growth and 
development, and having taken an active interest 
in its progress are certainly deserving of a repi-c- 
sentalion in its histor}'. 

Mr. Baldwin was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, 
July 18, 1818. and is a son of David and Lavina 
(Wheeler) Baldwin, both of whom were natives of 
Connecticut, the former born in Weston in 1792, 
the latter in Bridgeport in 1795. The Baldwins 
are of English descent and the family was founded 
in Connecticut at a very early day. Six children 
constituted the family of David and Lavina Bald- 
win and are as follows: Julia, who is now the wife 
of Josiah .Allison, of Elniira, Salina County, Cal. ; 
Mary, widow of .ludge Johnston, an eminent 
scholar and lawyer of ability, who was elected 
judge of his district and honored with a. seat in 
the .State Senate; George, who was a young man of 
great promise and a warm personal friend of Sena- 
tor Stanford's, died in California about 1*^61 ; Har- 
riet is ilie wife of O. D. TisdaU", a retired merchant 
of Olluniwa. Iowa; Lavina married Darwin De"a- 



lio and both died in California."^ By trade. David 
Baldwin was a tanner and 'followed that business 
as a life occupation. He was a man' well" posted 
on all affairs of Stale and county and took an active 
part in politics, although he never sought or was 
desirous of holding office. Throughout the com- 
munity he was known as Deacon Baldwin, having 
been a Deacon in the Congregational Church for 
nianj' j'ears. In 1 817 he emigrated to Ohio, locat- 
ing in Waterford, Washington County, when it was 
a vast wilderness and there made a home in which 
he and his wife spent their remaining days. Like 
her husband, Mrs. Baldwin was greatly beloved for 
her many excellent 'lualities of heart and hand. 
She lived the life of a consistent Christian and as 
her lot was cast in a settlement where ministers 
were few, on Sunday she would often take her place 
behind the desk in the old log schoolhouse and 
read a sermon to the pioneers there assembled. She 
died at the age of thirty-six years, mourned by all 
who knew her. 

Much work and little play was the rule of our 
subject's early life. His education was acquired in 
a log schoolhouse in his native State, where he 
conned the rudimentar3' studies for about two 
months in the year, the remaining ten months be- 
ing, devoted to assisting his father in the tannery, 
but bj- study in leisure hours he gained a knowledge 
sufficient to teach at the age ':)f nineteen years. 
After a year spent in that vocation he went tc> 
Morgan County, Ohio, where he repaired a tannery, 
remaining a couple of years, but the following 
March he turned his face Westward and in the Ter- 
ritory of Iowa found a home. Locating in Van 
Buren County, he made a contract with the firm 
of Lyon & Games to operate a tannery for five 
j-ears, the profits of the §ame to be equally divided, 
but on the failure of those gentlemen to comply 
with the terms of the contract he abandoned the 
enterprise and entered the office of Hon. James B. 
Howell, under whose direction he studied law for 
a year. At the expiration of that time he erected 
a tannery of his own which he operated for ten 
years with good success, when he disposed of his 
business, having, in 1852, been elected Clerk of the 
District Court. He served one term but refused a 
renomination, considerina; the duties too confining. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



369 



Ilis next venture was in the mercantile linsiness as 
a partner of Thomas Rankin, wliose interest lie 
))urchased after a year and continueil the business 
alone until I80H, when on account uf the linancial 
depression felt throughout the country he found 
it impossible to make collections and discontinued 
business. Out of employment he once more turned 
his attention to law and was admitted to the bar in 
1859, but the gold excitement, caused by discov- 
eries at Pike's Peak, was then at its height anc) he 
made a journe}' to that region, spending the sum- 
mer in the mountains. On returning to Keosauqua, 
he formed a law partn'>rship with .Judge George 
G. Wright, under the firm name of Wright A- Baki- 
win which connection continued until 1861 when 
the .Judge was called to the bench to fill a. vacancy. 
Mr. Baldwin was then alone in tiie (jractice of his 
profession until his retirement from that pursuit in 
1884. He won prominence at the bar and by his 
professional brethren was regarded .as an able law- 
yer,while his popidarity with the people was evinced 
by the liberal (latronage which he received. 

On the 28th of September, 18'14, in Van Burcn 
Count\', Mr. Baldwin and Miss Rachel, daughter 
of .John and Rachel (Seaman) Wright, were united 
in marriage. Their union has been blessed with 
six children: William W., who graduated from the 
Iowa University and l)ecame an attorney-at-law, 
w.is for a time connected with the Hon. J. B. Hall, 
of Burlington, Iowa, and is now attorney for the 
Chicago, Burlington & (^uiiicy Railroad Company, 
with headquarters in Burlington; Charles Jr., who 
was educated in the State University', is a practicing 
attorney of Salt Lake City, Utah; Lavina is the 
wife of Rev. J. W. Cheney-, of Missouri; Lutie is 
the wife of Charles Leffcrts, a loan and real-estate 
agent of Council Bluffs, Iowa; .Julia is the wife of 
Dr. Mclvibben, a practicing physician of Keosau- 
qua; and Edward died at the .age of fifteen j-ears. 

During Cleveland's administration, Mr. Balilwin 
served as Postmaster of Keosauqua and since re- 
signing in 1888, has lived a retired life. The suc- 
ceeding winter he and Mrs. Baldwin spent in the 
West, passing a portion of their time in Salt Lake 
City and the remain<ler in California. They are 
now living in retirement at their pleasant home in 
Keosauqua. resting from the labors of former ycnrs 



and eiijo\ing the fruits of past toil. In early life 
.Mr. Baldwin was a Whig and cast his iirst Presi- 
dential vote for William Henry Harrison, but on 
the dissi)lution of that party he joined the ranks of 
the Democratic i)arty, with which he has since 
affiliated. 



^^^ IIARLES MONROE .JUNKIN. editor and 
til junior i)roprietor of the Fairfield Li-dijcr, is 

^^^^ a native of Fairlleld. He was born on the 
18th of May, 18.5.5. ami is a son of William W. and 
Elizabeth (Patrick) .Junkin, a sketch of whom ap- 
pears elsewhere in this work. Our suliject received 
liberal educational advantages, having l)een a stu- 
dent in the Iowa College of (Jrinnell, and the Den- 
mark Academy, of Denmark, Lee County, the first 
higher school established in the State. He learned 
the printer's trade in the oflice of the Fairfield 
Ledger, and further supplemented his knowledc,e 
of the business in the Government [irinting office in 
Washington, D.C after which, for two .years, he in- 
dulged in th'e experience of a tourist printer, work- 
ing in various offices from New York to Salt Lake 
City, and from St. Paul to St. Louis. May 2(5, 1878, 
he Jjecame a partner with his father in the Fairfield 
Ledger, and has continued lliat connection to the 
present time, covering a period of twelve years. 
Since the appointment of his father in April, 1881), 
to the Government [losition which he still holds. 
Charles M. has assumed the editorial charge and 
business management of the Ledger. 

On the 8th of September. 1880, Mr. .Junkin was 
united in marriage with Miss Grace Slagle. a 
daughter of C. W. Slagle, the union being cele 
brated in Fairfield, of which city the lady was a 
native. In politics, Mr. Junkin is a Republican, 
having been actively identified with the partj' since 
attaining his majority. In 1881, he was a delegate 
to the Republican National Convention in Chicago, 
and has served three years as a member of the Re- 
publican State Central Committee, during one year 
of which time he olliciatcd as its .Secretary. For a 



370 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



period of tliree ^-cars he has been Secretary of the 
Iowa Press Association.and for a like period was Sec- 
retary of the Republican League, of Iowa. During 
the campaign of 1888 he assisted in the organization 
of eight hundred political clubs in Iowa, .and in 
other ways aided in the interests of his party. 



,«^AMUEL E. BIGELOW, manufacturer of 
^^^ boots and shoes, is at the head of one of 
|jjl/~U) the oldest establishments of Fairfield, he 

Iiaving begun business in that line in 1858, 

and carried it on continuously since, covering a 
period of thirty-two consecutive years. I'ntil 1870, 
be also carried on the leather business in conncctiim 
with his other line of work, and the two have 
yielded him an excellent income. 

The story of Mr. Bigelow's life is as follows: He 
was born in Sutton Township. AVorcester County, 
Mass., Kebruary iO. 182."), and traces his ancestry 
back to 1642. when .lohn Bigelow cirtigrated from 
his home in England to become a resident of the 
new Colony, which had been established on tlie 
other side of the water only twenty-two j^ears be- 
fore. His fallier, Samuel Uigclow, was born in the 
town of Charlton, Worcester County, Jul}' 2, 1793, 
and having attained to mature yesirs, was joined in 
wedlock with Cynthia F. Forbush, their union be- 
ing celebrated October 10, 1815. 'J'he lady was 
horn in Grafton, Mass., May 21, 1 794, and her peo- 
ple were originally from Aberdeen, Scotland. The 
paternal grandfather of our subject, Humphrey 
Bigelow. served his country during the last four 
years of the Revolutionary War, entering the arm v 
when only sixteen years of age. In 184 I, accom- 
panied by his family, Samuel Bigelow removed lo 
Washington County, Ohio, and fourteen years later 
lie came lo Fairfield, where he and his wife spent 
their last days. His death occurred March 10, 
1882, he having attained almost the age of ninety 
years. The mother died -March 20, 1872. at the 
age of seventy-eight years. Mr. Bigelow engaged 
in the same business which his son carries on. In 



fact Samuel learned the business with his father, 
and for some years, as partners, they continued 
operations in that line. 

The subject of this sketch spent the d.iys of his 
boyhood and youth in his native State, and on the 
5lli of February, 1852, made choice of a life com- 
panion. Miss Mary J. Holliday. Their union was 
celebrated in Marietta, Ohio. Mrs. Bigelow is a 
daughter of Angus McDonald HoUiday, and a na- 
tive of Shelby ville, Mo. Three children have been 
born of their union: Susan Kate, wife of Edw.ard 
Hamilton, of Kansas City; and Cynthia ]>., widow 
of Dr. .Samuel Hajnmond. of Fairfield. They lost 
one child, Milliceiit Virginia, who was born No- 
vember 25, 1807, and died September 21, 1870. 

In politics, Mr. Bigelow is a Republican, having 
su|)ported that party many years. He h.as never 
been an office seeker, preferring to devote his time 
and iitlenlion to his business interests, but served 
one term as Alderman, and once as City Clerk. He 
was made an Odd Fellow in Ohio, being initiated 
into the mysteries of the order in JMarielta Lodge 
in 1847, aiul now holds membcrshii) with .leti'erson 
Lodge, No. 4. L O. O. F.. of Fairlield. His resi- 
dence in this city covers a ])eriod of moie than a 
third of a centur_v. and with its business interests 
during the entire time he has been prominently 
connected, in this manner aiding not :i little in the 
upl)uilding and growth of the city. 



m^miii 



^^<*^EORf;E A. WELLS, resident and manag- 
ing partner of the jnivate banking house of 
Wells it (iarieltson, has been engaged in 
that line of business in Fairfield, Icwa, since 1862. 
Long experience has familiarized him wiili that 
vocation in all its details, and he is now at the 
head of what is considered to be one of the safe 
and important moneyed institutions of .Jefferson 
County. 

Mr. Wells was born in New Albany, Ind., on 
the 21st of .lune. 18.'il.andis of English descent? 
the family having been founded in America by 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



.•571 



Thomas Wells, of England, who became one of the 
early settlers of the New Ensilaiid Colonies. His 
fatlicr. the Rev. Ashbel Shipley Wells, was a na- 
tive of Chittenden Countj-. A'l., lioiii in Jericho, 
and having arrived at mature years, wedded .So|iliia 
H. Hastings, a native of Clinton, Oneida County, 
N. Y.. and a daughter of Seth Hastings, of the 
same place. They resided in the East until 18r)4, 
when, leaving their old home, they emigrated to 
the West anil made a settlement in Fairfield, Iowa, 
where the death of both i)arents occurred. The 
mother departed this life in 187G, at the age of 
seventy-six years, and the father, who was a most 
exemplary man and was employed in missionary 
work in this .State, was called lo his reward in 
1882, being eighty-four years of age at the time of 
his death. 

We now take up the personal histor^of our sub- 
ject,and it is with pleasure we present this sketch to 
the readers of the Album, who, we feel, will gladlj' 
receive this brief account of the life work of one 
of their most illustrious townsmen. His boyhood 
days were spent in his native city, where he at- 
tended the common schools, after which he pre- 
pared himself at the Academ}- at Lodi. Mich., for 
the sophomore year in college. He then took up 
the study of pharmacy, spending six years as a 
clerk in a drug store in Lima, Ind. Thinking to 
better his financial condition, he came West in 
IS.'jG, and choosing Fairfield as a location, he em- 
barked in the drug business in this city. His ef- 
forts were successful, and he continued operations 
in that line until 1862, when, having acquired 
some capital, be began banking, which business he 
has followed almost exclusivelj' since. He estab- 
lished a private bank and continued operations 
under the name of the (i. A. Wells Baidi until 1877, 
when he admitted to partnership Garrett A. Gar- 
rettson. and the firm name was changed to its pres- 
ent form of Wells ife (iarreltst)n, Mr. Wells con- 
tinuing the resident and managing partner. The 
working capital of the bank is ^.'iO.OOO, including 
surplus. 

In October. \S:>i). in Indiana. Mr. Wells was 
united in marriage with Miss Priscilla I). Holmes, 
a native of Newark. Ohio, and a daughter of Will- 
iam Holmes. Unto them were born six children, 



three sons and three daughters, but the former are 
all now deceased. Harry died at the .age of ten 
years and Charles H. when two and a half years of 
age; then followed Fannie. Kate F,. and firace H., 
while Fred, who died at the age f)f one year, was 
the youngest. 

Mr. Wells was reared in the faith of the Pres- 
byterian Church, his father and grandfather having 
both been ministers in that denomination. In poli- 
tics he is a supporter of the Republican party and 
has served as a member of the City Council, but 
has never been a politician in the commonly ac- 
.cepted significance of the term, caring nothing for 
oflicial distinction. He is a member of the Masonic 
fraternity, belonging to Clinton Lodge, No. 15, 
A. F. & A. M.; McCord Chapter, No. 5. R. A. M.; 
and Jerusalem Commandery, No. 5, K. T. Mr. 
Wells has every reason to be proud of his suc- 
cess in life, having by earnest effort, the exercise 
of correct business principles and fair dealing with, 
all men, won the prosperity which is but the just 
reward of the labors which he h.as put forth. He 
is highly regarded by those who know him, and the 
confidence i)laced in his bank is attested by a lib- 
eral patronage. 



^^ HARLES M. THOMPSON is a promin.iit 
(li ^ farmer and stock-raiser of Liberty Town- 
^^^^ ship. Jefferson Count}-, residing on section 
26. His practical, yet progressive ideas, bis en- 
orgy and enterprise, make his business a successful 
one and place him in the front rank among the 
leading farmers of the community. He was born 
in Highland County, Ohio, .September !). 18;33, 
and is a son of Jeremiah and Abigail (Hurt) 
Thompson. His father was born in Chatham 
County, N. C, in the ^ear 1800. and when a lad of 
thirteen summers .accompanied his i)arents to Ohio, 
where he pursued his vocation of farming, from 
which he allowe<l himself to be diVerted at times 
in the interest of his party, the Democratic, that 
he might attend to the duties of oflice several times 



372 



PORTRAIT AND HIOOR APIIICAJ. ALIUM. 



conferii'il upon liim liv Ins li-Uow citizens. Al 
lon<{lli he (Icterniinerl to seek ft home furtlier west 
nnd on the 24th of March, 1850, landefl in Jeffer- 
son County, Iowa. He purch.nsedtlie place known 
as the Cameron farm, comprising one hundred 
and sixty acres of cleared land and ejahty acres of 
timlier land. Here he led a peaceful life, taking a 
deep, yet unobtrusive interest in all the public 
affairs of the community. It was largely throutjii 
his efforts that the Birmingham Lodge of Odd Fel- 
lows was organized. Death closed his earthly pil- 
grimage, which had been a happ}' and useful one, 
July 5, 1875. His wife still survives him. Their 
marriage was celebr.ated in Ohio, and their union 
was blessed with the following children, eleven of 
whom are still living: William H., now of Cali- 
fornia; Charles M. of this sketch ; Jackson; Kliza- 
bc'lh; James Riley; Nancy; Mary E. who died in 
1880, leaving a family of live children; Lewis 
. Harvey; Joseph; Louisa; Martha Jane and George 
Newton. 

Charles M. Thompsun accompanied his parents t') 
Iowa when a young man of seventeen years and 
has made his home in Jefferson County continu- 
ously since. After receiving the advantages of 
education afforded by the public schools, our sub- 
ject, following the ijath marked out for him bv 
his father, devoted himself to the cultivation of 
the soil in which he has been remarkably successful. 
He choose for a companion on life's journey Miss 
.Sarah Jane M.cGuire, their union being celebrated 
on the I9th of March, 1854. Eleven children 
came to make glad the home of the worthy couple, 
namely: J.inies Benton; Silas Madison; Erastus 
Emery, who died in 18C9; Ellen ; Minnie; Avery 
R.;()mer; Cora who died in 18Gi); Waller; Simon 
and Clark. Ellen is the wife of Samuol G. Clark 
and resides in Kansas; Minnie is the wife of 
James McCuire, a prosperous farmer of Kansas; 
Silas is now engaged in teaching school in Fair- 
field, Clay County, Kan., having completed the 
course of >tudy of Osk.aloosa College; Avery is a 
master carpenter at Denver, Col.; and Omer is su- 
perintendent of a large farm in California. The 
niollier of this family was called to her final rest in 
188(1, and her death was the occasion of sincere 
regret on the pr.rt of a large circle of friends, She 



w;is an exemplary member of tlie Christian Church. 
The years 1855 and I'SoG, Mr. Thompson leased 
and farmed the Rutledge homestea<l. the widowed 
owner of which was the mother of Annie Rutledge, 
the first lov(.' of Abr.aham Lincoln. The union of 
the young couple was thwarted by the death of 
the lady, an event which at the time nearly de- 
throned the reason of the young lawyer who was 
destined to afterwards fill such an illustrious place 
in the history of our nation. 

On the loth of December, 1886, Mr. Thompson 
was .again married, his second union being with 
Miss (Jlara Meale^', daughter of James and Anna 
Mealey, who were early settlers of Keokuk County 
but are now deceased. The lady is also a niece of 
the well known practitioner. Dr. Mealey, of Pleasant 
Plain. Mr. Thompson is a zealous and faithful 
member of the Christian Churcli and his wife is a 
follower of the Presbyterian faith. His business 
career has been one of marked prosperity and is an 
example of what may be accomplished by energy, 
industry and sagacity. He has become the owner 
of a farm of four hundred .and forty acres where 
may be seen all the modern improvements, a com- 
fortable home tastefully furnished, good barns and 
some of the finest stock to be found in Iowa; two 
imported Percheron Norman horses, especially 
demanding mention, as well as some thirty lie.ad of 
thoroughbred and high ij;r.ade cattle now in his 
possession. In the past, Mr Thompson has taken 
an exceptionally keen interest in the growth and 
success of the county fair. He w.is largely instru- 
mental in the organization, was for twelve years 
a member of the Board of Directors and his exhibits 
at the same have often secured for him the highest 
premiums. He is a Prohibitionist politically and 
although he is well informed on all political issues, 
as every American citizen should be, he has never 
desired the honors or emoluments of public offlce. 
However, he h.as served several terms as school 
director, a position that has afforded him an op- 
portunity to aid in the improvement and enlarge- 
ment of educational facilities. When called from 
this life, few men can leave a better or more hon- 
orable record behind them than the subject of this 
sketch — a man esteemed throughout the commiinity 
for his uprightness and sterling worth. I'pon the 



PORTRAIT AND HIOGRAIMIICAL ALIJUM. 



37.1 



question of secret societies Mr. Tli mipsoii is an 
out and out opponent of all orders, believing and 
.'idvocating the idea that they are detrimental to 
Christianity and the best interests of societ}' in 
•ifneral. 



-3"»- 



]OHN HISUOF, one of the prosperous farmers 
of Libert)' Township, .lefferson County, was 
one of six children born unto Sylvester and 

I Rachel (Barker) l}isho|). His father, who 
followed the occupation of farming thronghoul his 
enliri' life, was a native of \\'est Virginia, and in 
that State was married in ]fS21. The following 
year he enii<;ratcil to Ohio, but afterward returned 
to his native State, where he spent five years, when 
he again emigrated westward. Making a location 
in the lUickcye State, he lived the life of a farmer, 
ami rA the close of an upright and useful caiccr 
was called to his final home in 1H.)1. On the 
mother's side we hear of the granilfalher serving 
with credit in the War of 1812. 

,l(ilin Bishop, whose name heads this sketch, was 
horn (111 the '22d of September, 182(), and grew to 
manhood in his native .State — Ohio, wiiere he ac- 
quired a common school education. Flaving at- 
tained to years f>f manhood, he started out to seek 
his fortune, and in 1850 made a location in 
\'an Buren County, Iowa. Four years later the 
death of his father occurred and the management 
of the oh', homestead then devolved upon his 
brother I'lrich.but lie survived only a short time and 
John then returned to his ohl home and brought 
with him to Iowa his widowed mother and I'ayton 
and Mary, his brother and sister. The other mem- 
bers of the family, lliram, Sylvester and Catheritie, 
were already residents of the Slate, and now the en- 
tire family were gathered together in ^'an Buren 
County. Ttie mother long survived her husband. 
dying in 1876, at the advanced age of eighty-one 
years. 

In his youth John Bishop had learned the trade 
of carpentering, wbicli he followed as a mc.".iis of 



livi'lihood f<ii- .'iIkiuI five years afti'r his arrival in 
Iowa. when, in lnr)8, he purchased land and turned 
his attention to farming. In 18G8 he iiurchased 
his present farm, then comprising two hundred 
acres, to which, in the spring of 1890, he added a 
a one hundred and twenty-acre tract. Well-tilled 
fields, good barns and outbuildings and many im- 
provements both of a useful and ornamental char- 
acter indicate the thrift and enterprise of the 
owner who is now enjoying the results of a life of 
well-directed efforts in a large and pleasantl3'-ar- 
rangcd home, which is furnished and surrounded 
by all the comforts which go to make life worth 
living. 

On the 4th of March, 1854, Mr. Bishop led to 
the marriage altar Miss Mary K. Huffman, of Van 
Buren Countj% daughter of Burk and Mary Iluflf- 
raan, the former a native of Xorth Carolina and 
the latter of Kentucky. Mrs. Bishop has the honor 
of being the first white child born in Van Buren 
County, her birth occurring on a farm l\'ing both 
in \'an Buren and Jefferson Counties, on the 8th of 
January, 1838. Her parents came to Iowa in De- 
cember, 183G. and made their home in Ft. Madison 
until March of the following year, when they came 
to Van Buren Count)', locating on the farm befora 
mentioned, which continued to be their horoe until 
the death of Mr. Huffman in 1857. Beside their 
daughter Mary, that worthy couple were the parents 
of Bi'rbara, James, Samuel, George, Ilirt, John. 
Frederick and Robert HutTman. Five of their sons 
donned the blue and fought in defense of their 
country during the late war. Samuel was wounded 
at Ft. Donelson and died at home on the 22d of 
March. 1862; John was the commander of Company 
H, Fifth Iowa Infantr)-. and w.as in prison fifteen 
months; Frefl was wounded at Missionary Ridge. 
Robert was taken prisoner at the same battle and 
died in Anderson ville Prison in 1 803. after being 
held in captivity for fifteen months. James was a 
member of the Missouri Militia. 

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Bishop was blessed 
with a family of nine children, but three of the 
number died in infancy. The surviving members 
of the family are Joseph Talbot, Sylvester Burk. 
Ann Maria. Robert. Carl and Mary, all of whom 
reside at houie "iih the exceptioti i)f Sylvester, 



374 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



who married Emma Ilealfl and is now a resident 
of LiluMty Tovviisiiii). Cail is a graduate of Par- 
sons College, of Fairfield, and is now employed as 
principal of the Libertyville Schools, while Mary, 
wiio received an acadi'mic education, is a success- 
ful teacher in the district schools. 

Mr. Bishop lias ever manifested a deep interest 
in the cause of education and has served as a 
School Director in his district. By reason of his 
long residence in the county he has become an hon- 
ored member of the Ohl Settlers Association. He 
is one of the stockliolilers of the County Fair; in 
politici he i.< a Republican with strong Prohibition 
principles, and sis a citizen he ranks among the 
best. 



■■^•^•>;-iv^ 



^OIIN MiMlLLKN.with one exception, is the 
oldest resident of Birmingham, Van Buren 
County. He was born near liie boundary 
line of counties Antrim, Armagh and Down, 
Ireland, .hme !l, 1 808, and is a son of David and Eliz- 
abeth McMiilen. Ills grandfather was a Highland 
Scotchman, liis parents were both of Scotch descent 
and lie possesses much of the stiirdiness char.icter- 
istic of that race. His father was a bleacher by 
trade and followed that business during his resi- 
dence on the Bann Water in the Emerald Isle. 
Pleasing reports of the Now World and the opi^or- 
lunities which it afforded its people reached him 
from time to time, and at length he determined to 
try his fortune in the land of the free. In 1812, 
accompanied by his wife and six children, he set 
sail for the I'liited .States but ere the long ocean 
voyage was over one of the children had sickened 
and died arid was laid to rest beneath the 'waves of 
the sea. The vessel reached the harbor of New 
York on a certain Friday and the following day 
war was declared with Great Britain. Mr. McMiilen 
and his family continued their journey to Harris- 
burg, and from there to Washington County, Pa., 
on pack horses, where he and his wife spent the 
vemaiiuler of their lives. They were highly re- 



spected people and members of the Seceders' 
Church. Our subject has but one sister now living 
— Mrs. Isabella Ralston, who resides in C'lai'sville, 
Washington County, Pa., being now about ninety 
years of age. 

John McMiilen spent his boyhood da3's at work 
upon his father's farm and in attendance at the 
common schools where he acquired a fair educa- 
tion. Like a dutiful son he worked for his parents 
until twenty-five years of age. On the 28lh of 
Februaiy, 1833, he was united in marriage wiili 
Miss Jane iSIcMillen, who was born in Washington 
County, Pa., about 1810, and was a very distnnt 
relative of his. He then turned his attention to 
the cultivation of the old farm, which he conliiuicil 
to operate until 185o, when, following the course 
of emigration which was steadily- drifting west- 
ward, he landed in Van Buren Co\inty, Iowa. For 
a time he engaged in farming north of Birmingham 
but in 1865 he changed his occupation and started 
upon the road as traveling salesman for William 
Killiott, dealer in agricultural implements, with 
whom he remained some fifteen years, since which 
time he has been engaged in the implement busine.ss 
for himself. He has sold all kinds of merchandise 
in that line from a clothes wringer to a portable 
steam sawmill. He was verj- successful as a sales- 
man, oftentimes his sales in one year amounting 
to some 820,000 worth of machinery. 

Mrs. McMiilen died in November, 1856. Unto 
them were born six children, of whom three are 
now living — David who succeeds his father in the 
implement business in Birmingham; Margaret at 
home; and Elizabeth who is a teacher of mucii 
ability. For eighteen years in succession she has 
held the position of primary teacher in the liir- 
mingham schools, being universally liked. 

Previous to 18(!0, Mr. McMiilen was a supporter 
of Democratic principles, but in tli;ii year he became 
a Republican and in many elections cast his ballot 
in its support, but since the rise of the Prohibition 
party, luas connected himself with the latter body. 
He and all his family are members of tlie United 
Presbyterian Church. He was married in 1862 to 
Mary Borland, who died in 1875. Though eighty- 
Vko years of age Mr. McMiilen is bright in mind 
and retains well his physical vigor. In Birmingham, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



375 



not to know him argues oneself unknown, and liis 
many friends esteem and resi)ect liini for a life 
cliaracterized hj' honorable purpose and worlliy 
motives. 



"jfiOIIN 8P1KLMAN. Among the worthy pio- 
neers of Jefferson County, no one is more 
worthy of lionoralile mention in this volume 
than he whose name hca<ls this sketch. While 
of foreign birth and education he was capable of 
adapting himself to the conditions peculiar to the 
opening up and settlement of a new country. He 
not only secured a good home for his family but 
was tiie means of aiding hundreds of others in a 
wise selection of lands for future homes. 

Mr. .Spielman was born in Baden, Germany, on 
liie 18th of August, 1808. was reared and educated 
in his native land and there learned the trade of a 
weaver. At the age of twenty years he emigrated 
to America and for a short time resided in Balti- 
more. JMd. From there he removed to Frederick 
City of the same .State, where in December, 1829, 
lie was united in marriage with Miss Saloma Berge, 
a daughter of Christian Berge, and a native of tlie 
town of Liehtenau, Province of liyriam, Bavaria, 
who came to America on the same vessel on which 
her future husband was a passenger. 

Mr. .Spielman was einpl()3'ed in a packing house 
in Frederick City until 1830, when he removed to 
Columbus, Ohio, where he purchased a tract of 
land and became a market gardener. What was 
then his farm is now comprised within the city 
limits of Columbus. His union with Miss Berge 
was there blessed by the birth of two sons and two 
daughters. In the early spring of 1840. accom- 
panied by his family, he set out for the Territory 
of Iowa, the then far western borderland of civili- 
zation. They traveled by boat on the Ohio and 
Mississippi Rivers an<l landed in Burlington on the 
1st of May. After a brief st.ay at that place they 
proceeded to Blooraington, now Muscatine. Iowa, 
liul after a short time returned to Burlington, and 
on the Isl of -June following, came to Jefferson 



County, locating in Walnut Township, on section 
;?2, where Mr. S|)iel::!an pre-emjited a tract of land 
and made a home for his wife and children. The 
family circle was afterward extended, six children, 
five daughters and one son being added to those be- 
fore mentioned. Lewis, the eldest of the family, 
married Matilda Otterbien, followed farming in 
pursuit of fortune and continued his residence in 
^V.<llnut Township until his death, which occurred 
in March, 187G; John A., the second son, is men- 
tioned elsewhere in this work; Sarah died in New 
London, Henry County, in 1855; Mary who was 
the youngest of those born in Ohio, died during 
infancy in Burlington, in May, 1840, soon after the 
family had reached that city. The next child, who 
was also given the name of Mary, became the w.ife 
of William J. Clarke, and died in Fairfield in 1878; 
Caroline married Michael Graff and resides on the 
old home farm; Amelia is the wife of James M. 
Heaton, a member of the McConnell Mercantile 
Company of Burlington ;. Christina died at the age 
of nineteeij years; Fred, who was a member of 
Company D, Seventeenth Iowa Infantry, died in 
the hospital in Corinth. Miss., September 1, 1862, 
at the age of eighteen years; Maggie was also eight- 
een years of age at the time of her death; Louisa, 
the youngest of the family, is the wife of M. A. 
Repass, agent of the American Fx|)ress Company 
in Fairfield. 

Mr. Spielman continued farming until the winter 
of 1864, when he removed to Fairfield and .joined 
his son, John A., in the hardware business. In 
1876, he laid aside all business cares and for nearly 
thirteen years lived in easy retirement. His death 
occurred on June 8, 1889. at the old home farm in 
Walnut Townsliip, where he had settled almost 
Inilf a century l)efore. It happened that he caught 
a severe cold while on a visit to his children in 
Walnut Township, and was unable to return to 
Fairlield. He was eighty-one years of age at liis 
death and had ho lived until the succeeding No- 
vember would have been married ^si.xt^' years. He 
was rugged and healthy uptojiis last; illness and 
niainlained his mental faculties unimpaired. His 
wife still survives him ;nid resides in Fairlield, and 
although not physically strong for some years past, 
is yet well preserved. Although eighty-one years of 



376 



PORTRAIT AND BlOGRArillCAL ALBUM. 



!\gf, lier hair is still iinloiiLla"! with the gray lliat 
generally dislinguishes those of her advanced 
years. Tlie greater part of her life has been spent 
as a follower of C'luist. she being a devout meinher 
of the Lntheran Church and a coiisislcnl Christian 
woman. She has proved a devoted and loving 
wife and mother and her kindness and good example 
cultivated the affections of her children, so that the 
family ties have always bound them strongly to- 
gether. 

On coming to this county in the days of its early 
settlement, Mr. Spielman readily adapted himself 
tj the conditions of a life on the frontier, learned 
the descriptions of laud an 1 was well informed in 
regard to the locations of lands open to entry and 
the system in force in acquiring title. He had a 
brother who was a minister of the Lutheran Church 
and President of Capital University, of Columbus, 
Ohio, who diipcted many of his countrymen and 
(itliers. who were emigrating to Iowa to seek his 
brother .lolin in Jefferson County, h'or these and 
many besides, Mr. Spielman sought locations and 
aided them in securi]ig land. Uncle John, as he 
was familiarly called, was widely known and highly 
esteemed for his open hospitality and genial, kindly 
ways. lie was a Whig in early life and his family 
|]:id had the honor of entertaining Geii. William 
Henry Harrison, while that illustrious soldier and 
stali'snian was a candidate tor the Presidency. In 
l«3(j. Mr. Spielman cast his first vote for the Gen- 
eral as did the three other voters of his family in 
the country. When Benjamin Harrison became a 
candidate for the Presidency there were twent}'- 
eiglit Spielman voters, lineal descendants of the 
original four, and although living separated and 
without preconcerted action, all voted for the 
grandson. At Mr. Spielman 's home in Walnut 
Townslni) some of the most prominent Hepublican 
statesmen of Iowa were frequent guests; Grimes, 
Gear, Wilson. Harlan and fithers partook of his 
hospitality. In matters of education and religion 
he was an earnest worker and was among the fore- 
most and most liberal sui)porlers of schools and 
churches. He organized the first Evangelical 
Church in Jeffer.«oa County, and was the leading 
spirit in building the first church there and organ- 
ized the first Sunday-School. For many years the 



church was known as the Spielman Church and the 
schoolhouse of his district still bears his name. 
Mr. Spielman was gifted with strong social and 
benevolent symj-athies and won the friendship and 
regard of all who knew him. While an earnest 
partisan he was never ambitious to fill public office 
and only accepted some minor ones. He lived a 
useful and upright life, was true to every legal and 
moral obligation and died at a ripe old age, leaving 
onlv friends to mourn his loss. 



-•^^E 



E^^ 



Jl ^^ENRY MOHR, deceased, an early settler of 

j; Fairfield, Jefferson County, of 185S, was 
JW^ born in Pottsville, Schuylkill Count3-, Pa., 

(^^ in 1808, and was a son of Peter Mohr. As 
the name indicates the family is of German origin, 
but little is known of its establishment in America. 
Our subject having arrived at j'ears of maturity, 
chose as a companion on life's journey Miss An- 
gelina Schoener, who was also a ni'live of the Key- 
stone State. Mr. Mohr then turned his attention to 
agilcultural pursuits, continuing the same in his 
native St.aie until 1858, when, following the course 
of human emigration which was stialily drifting 
westward, he became a resident of lov^a. After 
spending one j'ear in Fairfield he then removed to 
a farm in Fairfield Township, Jefferson County, 
and resuming his chosen occupation spent the last 
years of his life on the old homestead, his death 
occurring in 1877. Mrs. Mohr, a most estimable 
lady is now living in Fairfield. 

This worthy couple were parents of a family' of 
six children, consisting of three sons and three 
daughters. Henry P., the eldest, who is employed 
as a conductor on the Chicago, Burlington iV- 
Quincy Railroad, married Charlotte Curry and re- 
sides in Burlington. Iowa; Richard J. wedded 
jVIartha Collier and is living in Passadena, Cal., 
where he is engaged in the practice of medicine; 
Mary, the next younger died at the age of twelve 
years; Sarah J. makes her home in Burlington. 
Iowa; Emnni is the wife of W. H. Ilufstecller, of 



PORTRAIT AND HIOGRAPMICAL ALBUM. 



37^ 



Fail-field; William H. married Lettie J. Doney and 
is a loaiiiiiif fiiniiture dealer of Fairfield, whose 
sketch appears on another page of this work; INIrs. 
Molir is a member of the Methodist l^piscopal 
Chureh.as was also her husband. In political sen- 
timent he was a supporter of Republican princi- 
I)les. Mr. Molir was regarded as one of the most 
upright, conscientious men in .leffersou County. 
Kind hearted and generous to a fault, his aid was 
never solicited in vain and at his death the poor 
and needy felt that they liad indeed lost a friend. 
He enjoyed the warmest rsteem and regard of all 
who knew him and his death was the occasion of 
deep regret on the part of many. 



^g^^M^^^^ 



Si S. GOULD, a farmer of Union Township, 
s<j Van Buren County, residing on .Section 19. 
^ was born on a farm in Franklin County, 



Ohio, on the 1st of Xoveniber, 1831, and is a son 
of Samuel and Mary (Livingston) Gould, natives 
of Washington County, X. Y., tlie former born in 
October, 1801, and the latter August 15, 1800. 
They were married in the Empire State, and in 
1827 removed to Franklin County, Ohio, where 
they experienced all the toil and hardships inciilent 
to hewing out a farm frcjm the midst of a heavy 
beech and oak forest. The trials of pioneer life 
became familiar to them, and in a nie;isnre fitted 
them for a similar experience in Iowa, where they 
arrived in the autumn of 1846. They located in 
Lick Creek Township. Van Huren County, where 
during the remainder of their lives they continued 
to make their homes, exerting an influence for good 
in the community whieii has not yet ceased to have 
its effect. Both were life long members of the 
United Presbyterian Church, and gave liberall}- of 
their means to the support of the Gospel. For 
many years he was a Ruling Elder. Politically he 
was a Whig until the rise of the anti-slavery party, 
when, his sympathies reaching out to the (ippressed 
of every class and especially to those held down 
bv the galling chains of servitude, he ttiok an ac 



tive i)art in the promotion of the scheme which 
came to be known as the Umlerground Railroad. 
He considered it wrong that a man should be de- 
prived of his property without compensation, but 
he accounted it a far greater wrong that men 
should be deprived of their God-given liberty 
without their consent. He voted for James G. 
Birney. the Abolition candidate, and continued to 
support thdt party until it was merged into the Re- 
publican party, with which he thenceforth identi- 
fied himself, lie died March 24, 1873, and his 
wife died April 24, 1879. In their family were 
live children: Mrs. Agnes Linds.ay and !Mrs. 11. 
Boone reside in \'an lUiren County; Mrs. Marga- 
ret C. Baird is living in Madison County, Iowa; 
and Mrs. Mary A. Graham makes her home in La- 
mar, Col. 

E. S. Gould, the other member of the family, 
and the only son yet living, was the second in 
order of liirth, and in the usual manner of farmer 
lads the days of his boyhood and vouth were 
spent. Mid play and work his time was divided, 
and in the pioneer school-rcom of that day he ac- 
quired a limited education. A marriage ceremony 
performed" on the Isl of December, 18.")9, united 
his destiny with that of Miss Rebecca Brownfield, 
a native of Decatur Ctninty, Ind., born April .ith, 
1810, and a daughter of Robert and Sarah (Price) 
Brownfield, whose residence in this county dates 
from 1847. Upon their marriage they settled upon 
the farm where they still reside, and ten children 
came to gladden the home by their presence, of 
whom seven are yet living — Agnes, wife of W. L. 
Carson, a resident of \'an Buren County; Emma, * 
Cora, John. Rnlh, Orplia and Robert, who are yet 
with their parents. 

Farming has been the life work of Mr. Gouhl, 
and he is now the owner of a rich tr.act of land of 
one hundred and ninety-seven and one-half acres, 
which is under a high state of cultivation and 
well improved. He also raises a good grade of 
slock, and his barns and outbuildings, necessary to 
the care of the same, are in keeping with the ad- 
vanced ideas of the nineteenth century. Politic- 
ally, ho was a strong anti-slavery advocate before 
the war, and his services were often called into req- 
uisition in transporting passengers on the Under- 



8?8 



PORTRAIT ANIJ BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



•rrounrt Railroad, and. alllioiigli only a youth, he 
fell that lie had a part to play in -setlino; the cap- 
tivofree." He is a warm advocate of prohilntion 
iw a party movenu'iit, is a valued citizen, and one 
who manifests a commendable interest in such en- 
terprises as are calculated to upb\iild the coramu- 
nily and ])romote the general welfare. 



RANKLIN B. HUNTZINGKR, who was 
formerly a prominent miller of Fairfield. 
J^ .lefferson County, but is now living a re- 
tired life, dates his residence in this city from 1856, 
and in the thirty-four years which have since 
elapsed lie has ever been numbered among the wide- 
awake and enterprising business men of the count3\ 
He was born in Orwigsburg. Sciiuylkill County, 
Pa., February 17, 1820, and is of (;ernian descent, 
although his parents, Jacob and ISusan (Koch) 
Iluntzinger, were also natives of the Keystone 
fState. His father made merchandising liis life oc- 
cupation and served as associate justice of the court 
of common pleas. He was also Colonel of a regi- 
ment in the ^\'ar of 1812, and was a worthy and 
respected citizen. 

The subject of this sketch learned the habits and 
methods of business life in his father's emplo}', but 
the success which has crowned his labors is due al- 
most entirely to his own efforts. He had followed 
milling only one year before coming to Iowa, but 
his thirty-three years experience in this State made 
him master of the business. On his arrival in Jef- 
fersiiii County, ho built the second mill ever erec- 
ted in Fnirficld. He also built two other mills in the 
city, a third in Hatavia and a fourth in Washington 
County. He ojierated the last named for seven 
years but during that time made his home in Fair- 
field. He met with dilHcullies, his progress being 
impeded by two losses, one caused by the burnino- 
of one of his mills, while the second mill was 
washed away, yet he pressed on, overcoming all 
such obstacles until at last having acipiired a com- 
fortable com[)elence he is enabled to lay aside 



business cares and si)end his remaining days iu 
retirement. He sold his last mill April 1, 1889, to 
his son-in-law, F. W. Vorhees. 

Mr. Huntzinger was married on .luly 12, 1842, 
to Miss S.arah Rudy, a daughter of .lohn and Maria 
(Buyer) Rudy. The family is of (lerman descent 
and both parents and daughter were born in the 
Keystone State. Mr. and Mrs. Huntzinger became 
parents of eight children, two sons and six daugh- 
ters as follows : Pha'be E., widow of .Joseph P. 
Davis, now living in Des Moines; Caroline, widow 
of Benjamin H. Rharpe, makes her home in Fair- 
field ; Valeria is the wife of W. H. Axline.of Harlan, 
Iowa; Arabella A. is the wife of J. A. Unkrich, of 
Fairfield ; Libby Catherine wedded Frank A. .Jones 
and with her husband resides in Omaha; Roliert 
Rudy died at the age of twenty-seven years: .lohu 
Franklin married Ella Shuert, of Omaha. Xcb.; 
Maggie is the wife of Frank W. Vorhees, a miller 
of Fairfield. 

In political sentiment, !Mr. Iluntzinger is a Re- 
publican and a strong advocate of prohibition 
principles. He would never accept public office, 
preferring to devote his time and attention to his 
business interests and the enjoyment of his home 
rather than to political contests. Both he and his 
wife are members of the Lutheran l^^vangelical 
Church. The}' reared a good family and are most 
worth}' people. Mr. Huntzinger has been an in- 
dustrious, steady business man, enterprising and 
successful and it is with pleasure that we record 
this brief sketch of himself and family- who 
justly rank among the best citizens of Jefferson 
County. 



f ILLIAM M. lUIF.STEDLER, of the firm 
'/ of Risk, Hufstedler & Whitham, was born 




^A^ in Parke County, Ind., on the 2d of An 
gust, 1843, and on the paternal side is of German 
descent, while on the maternal side the familj'^ is of 
Scotch origin. His parents, Martin and Mary 
(Kirkham) Hufstedler, were natives of Kentucky 
and Ohio, respectively. 



I'f- 



PORTRAIT AND HIOGRAPHICAL ALHUM. 



379 



The siilijrct of tliis skolcli liefiuiie a it'siilcnl of 
KcosMiiqua. Iowa, in 1850. His fallier" following 
agricultural pursuits, cluring;liis youth lie spent liis 
summer months in siding him in the labors'of"the 
farm and during the winter [season attended the 
common schools of the neighhorhood. When a lad 
of nineteen years he rcsi)anded to his country's call 
for lrooi)s, enlisting in Company C, Twenty-fifth 
Iowa Infantry, in August, 1862. He served three 
3'ears as a non-commissioned officer and' partici- 
pated in many famous battles and sieges of the war. 
He was with Sherman at the first attack "made" on 
\'icksliurg, later pai'ticipatcd in the battle "of Ar- 
kansas Post and at that place was wounded in the 
shoulder by a glancing shell. This caused his laj^- 
ing aside all duty for six weeks, but at the end of 
that time he rejoined his regiment. During the 
siege of Vicksburg he was for forty-six diiys in the 
pits and was present at the capture of that city. 
He also took part in the battles of Jackson. Mis-., 
Lookout Mountain. Missionary Ridge, Chatta- 
nooga, Resaca, Dalton, Corinth. Kcnesaw Jloun- 
tain and several minor engagements. Atone time 
lameness caused him to again take a much-needed 
rest, but on his recovery he joined Sherman's array 
at Kingston, N. C. He then remainerl with his 
command until the close of the war, when he was 
niustered out at Washington City, after participat- 
ing in tlie Grand Review in May, 1865. 

On his return from the army, where he had faith- 
fi lly served his country for three years, Mr. llnfs- 
ledler located in Fairfield. His education had been 
interrupted by his enlistment and on his return he 
attended a private school. Not desiring to follow 
the pursuit to which he had been reared, he en- 
gaged as a salesman with Maj. J. W. Moore, dealer 
in groceries, hats and caps. A year later he bought 
a Imlf-interest in the business, but the night after 
his purchase the store with nearly all its contents 
was destroyed by fire. Hardly anything remained 
.■\ii(l Mr. Ihifstedlcr was foiced to resort, to his 
former employment of clerking. He secured a po- 
sition with Wells, Sterver S; Averill, one of the 
oldest mercantile houses of Fairfield and remained 
with that firm until 187.3, when on the 13lh of 
September of that year he joined C. C. Risk in his 
preent business. The firm continued operations 



under the style of Risk it Ilufstedler until 1882, 
wlien Mr. Whitham was admitted to partnership 
and the firm name changed to Risk, Ilufstedler & 
Wliitham. 

On the 17th of^'June, 1875, Mr. Ilufstedler mar- 
ried Miss Enima'Mohr, their union being celebrated 
in' Fairfield,' where their entire marrietl life has been 
passe<l. Tlie lady is a native of Pottsville, Pa., 
and a daughter of Henry Mohr. Both are mem- 
bers of the Congregational Church, and in political 
sentiment Mr. Ilufstedler is a Republican. He is 
an enterprising and^successful! business man, re- 
s|)ected by all who know him, ancKthe firm of which 
he is a member takes front rank'among the mercan- 
tile establishments located in the count}' seat of 
Jefferson County. 



'»a^-^■«>^-^5<^ -«;«* 



11 



ILLIAM ALBERT WILCOXON, the pop- 
ular photographer of Bonaparte, is a native 
V7\P of Indiana. He was born in Delaware 
County, that State, on the 9th of December, 1858, 
and is a son of Horatio Wilcoxon. His father died 
when he was a mere babe, only two years old, and 
he then went to live with his uncle, John William- 
son, who brought him to Iowa. He made a location 
in Bonaparte Township, \"an Buren County, where 
our subject was reared to manhood, si)ending the 
days of his boyhood and youth in the usual man- 
ner of farmer lads. His education was acquired in 
the district schools of the neighborhood, which he 
attended onl}' during the winter season as his 
serrices were needed on the farm during the sum- 
mer months, but on reaching years of maturity he 
decided to make his life work some other profession 
or occupation than that which had engrossed his 
attention during boyhood. With a view of learn- 
ing his present business, he came to Bonaparte in 
the spring of 1880 and entered tlie photograph 
gallery of Levi Henry, who instructed him in the 
methods of the art. After mastering the business, 
he continued with Mr. Henry as an employe for 
some years, when in the autumn of 188!), be bought 



880 



PORTRAIT AND moOUAl'HICAL ALBUM. 



out tlie business and began life for himself. Little 
more than a year bas passer! yet he lias now a lib- 
eral patrona<;e and his business is constantly in- 
creasing, a fact which "-ivcs evidence of the tlior- 
oiinhness and pleasing Tnanner in which his work is 
done. 

In the year 1«82 .Mr. \\'ilcoxon was united in 
the holy bonds of matrimony with Miss Mary J. 
Madden, daughter of Thomas Madflen. one of 
the early settlers and a prominent farmer of 
Van liuron County, now deceased. The lady is a 
member of the Presbyterian Church and in the 
community where she has so long made her home 
has a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. A 
little daughter graces their union — Edith May. In 
political sentiment, Mr. Wilcoxon is a supporter of 
Republican principles. In speaking of him in the 
begiiiuing of this sketch we used the ailjective pop- 
ular, lie is po|)ular both in the line of his work 
and in social circles. An agreeable companion, 
intelligent and entertaining, he has won the high 
regard of all with whom he has been brought in 
contact. 







^V^ //' 



LLI.VM F. EUMONDSON, Cashier of 
V^Avif ^^^ Citizens' Bank of Milton, and an early 

settler of \a\\ liurcn County, Iowa, was 
born in Henry Couniy, Ind., September 16, 1845, 
his parents being William and Mary P.. 
( McCutchan) Kdmondson. During his infancy, in 
the spring of l.S4(;, the family removed to Van 
IJuren County. Iowa, and on his father's farm in 
.lackson Township, lie was reared to manhood, 
spending his time in the usual manner of farmer 
lads. In the schools of the neighborhood he ac- 
quired a good English education and like a dutiful 
son, he assisted his father until the latter's death. 
From that time until 1880, he continued with his 
brother, .lolin C, on the farm, when he went 
to California. He spent about a year and a half 
in Windsor, a part of the time in mercantile bus- 



iness. He then spent some seven months in San 

Francisco. At the expiration of that period he 
returned to Iowa, locating in Milton, where he 
li.is since resided. 

Mr. Edmondson, on the Uth of May, 1872. in 
\'an Buren County, was joined in wedlock with 
Miss Clara, daughter of Joseph and Hannah 
Williamson, and a native of Davis Count}', Iowa, 
born on the 25th of April, 1854. Her parents 
were among the early pioneers of ^'an Huren 
County, and her father helped to build the first 
house in Farmington. His sketch a|>pears else- 
where in this volume. Mr. and Mrs. Edmondson 
are the parents of two children. Gilbert M. and 
William G. The first na.iied was born in Oak 
Point, Iowa, March 23, 1873, and is now a student 
in Parsons College, of Fairfield. He has been as- 
sistant Postmaster and clerk in the Milton office for 
four 3'ears; also assistant Postmaster at Manitou 
Springs Col., for a year, and won much praise for 
his courteous and prom[)t discharge of dul}'. He 
is an earnest I\c|)ublican and for so young a man 
remarkably well informed concerning the political 
history of the country. During the late campaign 
he made several political speeches which were well 
received and his friends are justly* proud of his 
success and hope much for his future. William G., 
the younger son, vvasborn in Oak Point, November 
30, 1875, and is the present assistant to his mother 
who is Postmistress of Milton, and is deservedly 
po[)ular for his faithful discharge of duty. 

On his return from California, Mr. Edmondson 
spent the succeeding three years in the employ of 
the Milton Creamery, as their engineer and book- 
kee|)er. On the 1st of February, 1886, he was 
appointed Postmaster of that city, under President 
Cleveland's administration, which position he held 
until April, 1889, proving an efficient and faithful 
oflicer and at the expiration of that time was 
succeeded by his wife who is a pronounced Repub- 
lican in her political views and whose efficient ser- 
vice, while assisting her husband during his term 
of office, had won the warm interest of the best 
citizens of Milton. It w.as said that this lady's 
petition was generally signe<l and the appointment 
given her before the politicians, who we'c engin- 
eering the appointment of one of their number, 




I 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAIMIICAL AL15UM. 



d«S 



knew what was going on. It is probably tiie only 
cnse on record in the State where a Rejiiiblican 
wife siiec-eeded a Deniucratic husband in the post- 
otiice. Jlrs. Edmondson's administration of tln' 
affairs of the ofliue has been such as to coninienil 
her to tlie good wishes of tliose representing tlie 
postal department, and to win tlie confident oijinion 
of lier fellow citizens that theirs is one of tlie lust 
managed' oHices in the State. 

On the 1st of September, 1889, Mr. Edmondson 
was appointed Cashier of the Citizens' Hank of 
Milton, which position he now holds. Mis conserv- 
ative and careful management of the" affairs o( 
the bank commands the respect and confidence of 
its proprietors and patrons. The citizens of 
Jackson Township have elected Mr. Edmondson 
to the office of Townshii) Clerk seven times, five of 
which were in sucession. In their religious views 
he and his wife are Methodists, are consistent mem- 
bers of that church and their sons have been reared 
in the same belief. ;^The familj- holds a high po- 
sition in the social world and is widely known. 



APT. ABRAM IIINKLE, a leading farmer 
^_ and stock-raiser of Village Township, Van 
J^^'' Buren County, was born in Pendleton 
County, Va., July 1, 1835, and is a sou of Esau 
anil Leah (Harper) Ilinkle. The liinklc family' is 
of German origin, and the name was formerly 
spelled Ilenkle. The great-grandfather of our sub- 
ject, Abraham Ilinkle, was a Lutheran preacher, 
and was born soon after the arrival of his parents 
in the I'niled .States, the family settling in Virginia. 
The grandfather, CapK Michael Hinkle, was for a 
time a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, 
but later became a I'niversalist. His title was ac- 
quired from service in the War of 1812, and he was 
a wealthy farmer of \'irgini;i, owning many slaves. 
He niarrieil Sarah .lud^', and unto them were born 
eight ehihiren. In his community, Capt. Hinkle 
was a leading citizen, and in politics was an Old 
Line Whiu'. He clird during the late war, at the 



extreme old age of one hundred and oney?ars, and 
in his will made a provision that his negroes should 
never be .sold, and thus forced to leave their county. 
The father of our subject was born in Virginia, in 
17'.).'>, was an extensive farmer and stock -raiser, and 
had a wide reputation as an energetic and capable 
business man. He married Miss Harper, who was 
born in Virginia, in 1800, and whose people were 
advocates of freedom, as were the parents of our 
subject, who supported the Union during the late 
war. Th^y made Virginia their home during their 
entire lives, but the mother, who was a member of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church for sixty years, 
died in Kansas, while there on a visit in 1876. 
Mr. Hinkle died in his native State, in 1888. He was 
a Universalist in religious belief, and a Whig and 
l{e|)ublican in political sentiment. During the war 
he was taken prisoner by the rebels, but through the 
influence of friends was released, though he lost all 
he had. In the famil_v of this worthy couple were 
twelve children, seven of whom are yet living, 
namely: Mrs. Mary Ilaigler, of Colorado; Sarah, 
living on the old homestead in Virginia; Abram of 
this sketch; Isaac, of Iowa; Mrs. Emil^' I'hares, of 
llarrisburg, Va.; Mrs. Ellen Harper, of Monlicello, 
Kan.; and Amby. of Cottonwood Falls, Kan. 

Capt. Hinkle, wliose name heads this sketch, was 
reared on a fiq-ra among the mountains of Virginia, 
and never attended school but six months through- 
out his entire life. His mother instructed him at 
home, and by observation and reading he has he- 
come well informed. He remained under the par- 
ental roof until 185.5, when he came to Iowa, and 
four years later crossed the plains with a team, 
stopping at Pike's Peak. In the siiring of 1861. 
during the midst of the Uehellion he returned to 
\'irgiiiia to his old home. With llie exception of 
his father, all of his relatives were in sympathy with 
the South, even his brothers. The Captain tried 
to view the matter from a Southern standpoint, and 
go with his friends, but in vain. Neither could he 
stay at home, for men were forced to take sides, so 
his father gave him one of his best horses and a 
little money, and one morning, just after the battle 
of Rich Mountain, he bade farewell to his i)arents, 
and the next day reported himself at the head- 
ipiarters of f!en. McClellan, then in comman<l *of 



384 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



the fcMk-ial forces, who was so much impressed with 
his appearance and Union sentiments, that lie at once 
proposed to engiige him as a scout and <iuide to liis 
army. Wlien he left his parents he loid Ihem lie 
would join the I'nion army, but as he had a brother 
and brother-ill law in the rebel army, they tried to 
persuade him not to fight against his brothers, but 
go North and remain silent or neutral; he told 
them he felt it his duty to take sides, and tliat he 
could not make a rebel out of himself. 

On his way to join the Union forces, Capt. Ilinkle 
slopped over night with a Mr. Ta3dor, whose beau- 
tiful daiiirl.ter was quite a favorite with young 
Iliiikle. and who ti led hard to persuade! him not to 
join the Union forces, now only a few miles from 
her home, as her father and seven brothers were all 
at that time in the rebel army, ^\'llil(•lu' found it 
hard to resist the entreaties of his old sweetheart, 
he nevertheless went on his way. McClcllan left 
him in West Virginia, when he went to take com- 
mand of the Union forces on the Potomac, as his 
superior knowledge of the mountains, and the peo- 
ple of that country, made him of great value to the 
Union forces oi)eraliiig in the Alleghany Moun- 
tains, lie served for awhile as a volunteer aid on 
Gen. Millroy's staff, and participated in the battles 
of Cheat Mountain and McDowel. with distinction. 
At Franklin, (which was Mr. Ilinkle's old home). 
Gen. Robert Schenck took command of the federal 
forces, and to him young Ilinkle was introdueed by 
Gen. Millroy. and for whom he obtained informa- 
tion lliat saved his command from being cut to 
pieces by the intrepid (Jen. Stonewall .lackson. A 
few days after this. Gen. Kreinunl arrived with an 
army of ■i.'),00n with lieadquarters at Franklin, only 
a few miles from the Captain's father's house. 
AVhen Fremont took command, Gen. Schenck in- 
troduced young Hinkle to him, saying: "General, 
here is the only Union man in this whole county, 
and knows more of the country and itspeoiile, than 
all of us put together." Fremont at once engao-ed 
his services, placed him in command of all his 
famous .lesse .Scouts, (a company organized in Mis- 
souri, and named in honor of his wife), with the 
title of captain and a captain's pay, in whieli capa- 
city he served during the war. He remaiiietl with 
Fremont until that otlicer was superseded by Pope. 



He was engaged in the battle of Cross Keys, near 
Harrisonburg, Va. 

We cannot give all the many incidents of the 
services of our subject that are worthy a place in 
any history, but sutHce it to say he frequently ob- 
tained information upon which whole armies were 
moved, and on many occasions success was due to 
his knowledge of the country and of the eneui}'. ob- 
tained in a way known to himself (and perhaps one 
or two brave boys) only. And this brave and gal- 
lant young man's name would not be known in the 
movements of the commands. He served under 
(jen. Hunter in the same capacit}-, and the next 
morning after the battle of Port Republic, he led a 
battalion of cavalry into the town of Stanton, re- 
leased about two hundred and fifty [u-isoners, mostly 
citizens, who were incarcerated (in what they called 
liarracks). on account of their loyal sentiments, and 
as his duly required him to be, he was alw.ays with 
the advance guard, he was again sent back into 
AVestern Virginia, where his superior knowledge of 
the country in that mountainous region made his 
services almost indispensable. He accompanied as 
the chief guide and scout, the brave Averliill on 
several of his raids inside the rebel lines; was with 
him at the battle of Stoney Ford, near White Sul- 
phur Springs in \'irginia. where he was repulsed by 
the rebel forces under .lackson, and would have 
been cut entirely off, had it not been for this man's 
knowleilgc of the country, who led them out b}* by- 
roads and by-ways, and nothing oHicial to show his 
services save original letters from the many officers 
with whom he served, all acknowledging his great 
and valuable services. 

On one occasion Capt. Hinkle started vrith ten 
picked men from New Creek, where (ien. Latham 
was in command, in the evening, and at day-light 
surprised a compan3' of Capt. l^IcNeil's famous 
guerrillas in the town of Moerfield, .'ifty miles aw.aj', 
and while more than one hundred yards iiK advance 
of all his boys charging down the street, one brave 
rebel officer stood to fight and emptied the contents 
of a double-Iiarrel shot-gun at him, killing the 
Captain's horse, and several of the shots taking ef- 
fect in his legs, and one in his hand, which he still 
carries. He extricated himself from the horse as 
he fell, and ran upon and captured his would-be 



PORTHAIT AN I") RIOGRAPUICAI. ALIUM. 



.IH.I 



sla^'er, who, by the time the horse fell, was not 
more than twenty feet from tlie Captain, the blood 
from his iiand flowing freel^'. The rebel says, "My 
God 1 have shot you," and the next moment they 
recognized each other as old acquaintances. He 
returned to camp with a jnisoner for each man. On 
another occasion he captured both his brother and 
brolher-in law. 

Mr. Hinkle visited liis father while Gen. Fremont 
was near there, and while in his father's house there 
was a band of rebel soldiers tried to capture him, 
and would have done so, but for the faithful watch 
of one of his father's old slaves, wlio saw them com- 
iu"', and running to the house, gave the alarm just 
in time for liis young master to make his esca|>e. 
Manfully did the old darkey fight to keei) them 
from taking his horse and equipments, which he 
was watching, while the Captain was visiting his 
parents, but they took him all the same. After 
Lee's surrcn<lcr, he fell the war was all over, and he 
at once retuincd to his old home, to find his father 
robl)cd of everything he had, both aimics having 
camped on his farm, eating up all his cattle, and 
taking all his horses. And of course the result of 
the war hud freed all his slaves; but acccepting the 
issues of the war manfuliy, he at once began to 
build uyi again, but turned over the management of 
his farms to Ins son, the subject of our narrative, 
who stocked them up. He also took a large stock of 
of general merchandise, purchased in Baltimore, into 
his native village (Ml. Freedom), and for twelve 
montlis his was the only store within seventy-fire 
miles of his place of business, consequently he did 
an immense business. 

In tlic fall of 1865, Capt. Hinkle was elected to 
the Legislature of West Virginia, both parties vot- 
ing for him. He refused to allow his name to be 
used any further, as he had no taste for polities, 
but turned his attention exclusively to business. 
However, he consented to serve his county as Su- 
pervisor, which place he lillcd with great ability, 
finding njucli to do, as all the public buihlings of 
the county, as well as school houses, and all bridges 
were destroyed during the war. He also served 
seven years as Deputy United States Collector of 
Internal Kevenue. 

On a visit to low.i in 1865, be met Miss Sallie F. 



Jordan, the only daughter of the pioneer Indian 
trader, James H. Jordan, who was born in Iowa 
ville, February 8, 1844, and on Christmas Fve, 18(J6, 
they were married. They immediately returned to 
Virginia, wliere he cairied on his mercantile busi- 
ness until 1871, when he sold out, and removing 
lo Iowa, purchased the farm on which he now lives, 
his landed possessions now are a little over eleven 
hundred acres, his home farm being one of the 
finest in the county, if not in the State. He en- 
gaged extensively in the business of breeding Short- 
horn cattle, and his herds won man^' premiums, 
both at State and county fairs. When it was dis- 
persed in 1888, it was the largest individual herd 
in the State. On the death of his wife he quit that 
l)usiness, but is now extensively engaged in rais- 
ing horses and cattle, and ranks as not only the 
largest, but one of the most practical farmers in the 
count}-, and is looked upon as one of the most thor- 
ough going wide-awake business men of his county. 
In 1883, Mrs. Hinkle was taken with consump- 
tion; her husband traveled with her extensively, 
and she spent two winters in New Mexico, hoping 
that the change of climate would prove beneficial, 
but death claimed her for his own on February 10, 
1888, leaving six children : Lora J., Arthur, Harry, 
Nellie B.. May, and Irwin. Nellie died at the age 
of sixteen years, and Irwin at six. Mr. Hinkle has 
been a life-long Republican, hut can no longer 
tolerate the protection tariff, and is now Indepen- 
dent. In the fullest sense of the word he is a self- 
made man. and deserves an honorable place among 
the representative men of his county and State. 



-^^^ « 



/>i=!^]EORGE ALBKRT DROZ, a farmer residing 
||j g— , on section 17, Ce<lar Township, Jefferson 
\^\ County, is the son of John P. and Mary P. 
(Rives) Droz. His parents were both natives of 
Alsace, France, and unto them were born two sons, 
one of whom died in Lis native lan<L In April, 
1817, accompanied by young (!eorge, who w:is 
born in Alsace, March 3, 1836, Mr. and Mrs. iJroz 



38(5 



FOiiiRAlT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALIU'M. 



siiik'd I'iDiii llnvre lo New Orleans, reaching the 
latter city after a voyage of sixty-one days. They 
then proceeded up the Mississippi to .St. Louis, near 
wliere. for some live years. Mr. Dro/. engaged in his 
life occupation, farming. The year 18.01 witnessed 
the arrival of himself and family in Jefferson 
County, where lie i)urchased the farm upon which 
our subject yet makes his home. It continued lo 
be his place of abode until called to the better land 
at the age of seventy-seven years. His wife, who 
like her husband, was a member of the Catholic 
Church, died at the age of seventy-three years. In 
politics, Mr. Droz was a Democrat. 

The subject of this sketch, now a progressive and 
influential farmer of Cedar Township, was educated 
ill the schools of his native land, but after his ar- 
rival in America, he secured some English text 
books, and familiarized himself with the American 
tongue. He has now a fair knowledge of both lan- 
gu.ages, and is a well-informed man, who keeps 
abreast of the times in everything of public in- 
terest. His knowledge of the French language has 
proved of great advantage to him as an interpreter 
in the courts. 

On the ."JOtli of .luly, 1857, Mr. Droz was joined 
in wedlock with Mary V. Kaiiiiche, who- was also a 
native of Alsace, France, born Fobruarj- 27, 1838. 
Some sixteen years later, she accompanied her 
mother and brother to this countiy, the family lo- 
cating in .lefferson County, Iowa. Her father died 
in his native land. 

Ueginniiig their domestic life on the farm which 
is still their home, their union was there Ijicssed 
with ft family of ten children, who in the order of 
birth are as follows: Louis J., (ieorge E., Francis 
M.; Mary G., wife of .lohu Hoth; .lohn 1'.. who is 
employed as a salesman in Denver. Colo.; Joseph 
C, Philomene K., Adolpli. Marie A., and .Marie V. 
With the exception of tl-.e two children above 
specially raentioneii, all are yet at home, and the 
members of tlie family are communicants of the 
Catholic Church. 

In his political afhiiations, Mr. Droz is a Demo- 
crat. He cast his first Presidential vote for Stephen 
A. Douglas, and since that time has never swerved 
in his allegiance to the Democracy. He filled the 
oflice of Township Assessor for two years, and has 



held other minor positions. He is accounted a suc- 
cessful farmer and stock-raiser, and m.ay well be 
called a self-made man. His father was the pos- 
sessor of some|^i>.3.0()0 in France, but lost the entire 
sum by giving it in charge of untrustworthy per- 
sons when he emigrated to America. The joint 
capital of father and son consisted of but ^00 on 
their arrival, but together they labored to retrieve 
their lost propertj-. and not only soon accomplished 
that, but became jiossessors of much more. Mr. 
Droz now owns three hundred and fifty acres of 
land all under fence, which is well cultivated and 
im|)roved with a neat and tasty dwelling and good 
barns and outbuildings. His example might well 
encourage others to renewed efforts, for success 
comes to those who labor in the right direction, 
and who arc the possessors of industrious habits, 
enterprise and fair business ability. 



'-^-^^^;!^^^^^ty^^^ 



•*,^^-^ 



IIOMAS M. RIDER, who is engaged in farm- 
ing on section 3, Fairfield Township, is a 
representative of one of the ])ioneer families 
of Jefferson County, his father, Capt. Daniel Rider, 
having been promi:iently identified with the coun- 
ty's history during its early days. 

Our subject has spent almost his entire life in 
this county, lie was born November 11, 1838. in 
AVashington County, Pa., and came with his par- 
ents to Iowa when a lad of eight years. He ac- 
quired his education in the common schools, and 
was reared to farm life. On attaining to man's es- 
tate, he led to the marriage altar in Jit. Ple.asant, 
Iowa, on the 26th of March, 1873, Miss Belle M. 
Register, daughter of Aaron H. Register, of Fair- 
field Township, formerly of Washington County, 
Pa., where the Indy was born. Three children 
grace their union, and they lost one son, who died 
in infancy. Those living, two sons and a d.augh- 
ter, are Harry W., Zella B., and Warren W. 

i\Ir. and Mrs. Rider began their domestic life upon 
the farm which is still their home, and the husband 
witii the knowledge lie acquired of the business 



PORTRAIT AXD BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



387 



while under the parental roof, has met with excel- 
lent siU'C'Oss in his nndoitakini,'. lie is now tlio 
owner of :i line fiiiin of one luindied and sixty- 
nine ai'ies, well lilk'd, and with execllenl improve- 
ments, and as the result of his indiislrv and cuer- 
getie efforts, now takes rank ainon^' substantial 
farmers of the eoninninity. Durinu; the late war 
he evineed his lovally to the (MivernMicnt and 
friendshi|) f(ir the eause. by three yeais of service. 
Knlisliny on the 2d of August, 1S(;2, in the Sev- 
enty-second Indiana Infantry', he marched in ile- 
fense of the old flau until the close of th(! war, when 
on the (ith of duly, 1865, he received his discharge. 
The regiment formed part of the Army of the Cum- 
berland, and with his command he took part in all 
of the battles from Stone Kiver until the fall of At- 
lanta, togellicr witli many others not included in 
that campaitrn. After having faithfully served his 
counlrj- for three years, he was at length honor- 
ably discharged. 

While in Denver, Colo., whither he had gone on 
account of failing health, Mr. Riiler became a mem- 
ber of Veteran Grand Army Post of that cil3' with 
which he still retains connection. In politics, he is 
a Dcmociat. and in religious belief a Methodist. 
In the community where he has so long made his 
home anil where he is so widely known. Thomas 
Rider is highly esteemed, and those who have been 
witnesses of his career since boyhood are numbe'ed 
among his stanchest friends, thus showing his life 
has been an honorable and worthy one. 



-*^^- 



\|/_^^ EXRY C. SM ITH, a farmer of Cedar Town- 
jj] ship, Jefferson County, residing on section 
23, is a native of Jefferson County, Ky., 
where his birth occurred on the 23d of 
October, 1841. His parents were Nuby and Lydia 
(Ballinger) Smith. His father, a native of North 
Carolina, born November 24, 1816, accompanied 
his parents to Jefferson County, Tenn., where he 
became acquainted with arid married Mrs. Lydia 
(Ballii'gcr) Frazer. Tb? lady was born in Ten- 



nessee. October 1, 1807, and by her first marriage 
became the mother of two s-ons and two daughters. 
The year 1 81 1 witnessed the removal of Nuby Smith 
and his family to Jefferson County, Ky., but after a 
short time he made his way to J.icksonville, III., 
where he spent one winter. The following spring he 
came to Iowa and took up his nsidrnce in .Ii-ffer- 
son County, which was the third couijly bearing 
that name in which he had made his home. He 
entered a claim in the new purchase and planted a 
crop. His oxen having strayed aw.ay, he started 
in puisuit of them, and on his return found that 
his crop had been eaten up. Discouraged, he 
traded his claim for a horse and moved to the 
Smith homestead, where he livetl until his death. 
Kor the first fortj- acres of that farm he gave in 
l).i3'ment his team. Hard was the struggle to get a 
start, but by persevering industry' and good man- 
agement he at length overcame all obstacles, and 
at his death was a well-to-do citizen of the commu- 
nity, owning a fine farm of two hundred and sixty 
acres, upon which were many good improvements- 
that greatlj' enhanced its value. In polities he was 
first a Whig and later a Republican. His death 
occurred September 1, 1876, and his wife, who was 
a consistent Christian lady, was called to her re- 
ward June 27. 1888, having survived her husband 
twelve years. Of their four children — .Sarah E. 
became the wife of Allen King, and is now deceased ; 
Henry C. is the second in order of birth; Winfield 
S. is a resident farmer of Cedar Township; and 
Zachary T. is a blacksmith of VVooster. 

The early life of our subject passed uneventfully-, 
unmarked by any occurrence of special importance. 
He attended the district schools of the neighbor- 
hood, and assiste<l in the labors attending the cul- 
tivation of his father's farm until he had attained 
to mature years, when, on the 11th of August, 
1862, he responded to the country's call for troops 
and donned the Union regimentals. He was as- 
asigned to Company G, Thirtieth Iowa Infantry, 
and went into camp in Keokuk, Iowa, where he 
took the measles. He was unable to march when 
his compan}- was ordered to the front, but joined 
his command at .Milliken's Bend. He participated 
'in a number of important engagements, including 
the brittle of Jackson, Miss., the capture of ^'icks• 



388 



roRTUAlT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



burg; Cherokee Station, Lookout Mountain and 
Missionniy Ri(l|,a\ During tlic last named an En- 
field rifle ball passed llirougli his left ankle and 
loilged in Ills right. As a result his right foot had 
to l)e ain[)utaled, and eie it was healed amputation 
w„s twice more necessary-. After spending some 
three months in Nashville, Tenn., and five months 
in Louisville, Ky., thence to Cincinnati, he was 
allowe<l to return home, and in Keokuk, Iowa, on 
the 1 St of February, 1865, received his discharge. 
Ever faithful to his duty, he proved a loyal sol- 
dier, and brought honor to the colors which he 
wore. 

Since the war Mr. Smitii has made Jefferson 
County his home, but has spent considerable 
time in traveling iii tliis and foreign countries. 
During his journeyings he has visited Missouri, 
Kansas. Wisconsin and California, and in 1886 
made a trip to Belgium, returning after tiiree 
mor.ths with two thoroughbred Belgian draft 
horses which he still owns. Socially, he ;s a mem- 
ber of the Grand Army Post, and politically, is a 
Republican. For almost half a century he has 
made his home in Jefferson County, and is one of 
her highl}' respected citizens. The same faithful- 
ness which marked his career as a soldier has been 
displayed in tiie discharge of ever}' private duty, 
and has won him the confidence and high regard of 
those with whom he has had business or social re- 
lations. 



^PSDREW V. CA.SSEL resides on section 
P/-| 20, Lockridge Township, where he is en- 
I * gaged in farming. Among the early set- 
^J tiers of Jefferson Count}- none merit more 

honorable mention in this volume than the colony 
of Swedes, who left everything dear on earth save 
their families, to find comfortable homes for their 
children in the New World. The colony consisted 
of Peter Cassel and family, John Danielson and 
family, John Munson and family, Peter Anderson 
and family, and E. P. and Sarah Anderson, both of 
whom were single. From their homes they went 



by wagon to the Gotta Canal, a distance of about 
fifty English miles, then by steamer, passing 
through the lakes, Vetran and \'ernan, on to Gut- 
tenburg. some fifty Swedish miles, or over three 
hundred miles as we reckon distance. The vessel 
in which the coni])any was to sail was adjudged un- 
safe for the trip, and they were compelled to wait 
for a month. Finally, on the 24th of June, 1845, 
the vessel, "Superb," spread her canvas to the 
wind, and with longing looks our part}' of passen- 
gers saw their beloved land fade from sight. Dur- 
ing a fog the vessel collided with another in mid- 
ocean, damaging the rigging of the "Superb," but 
still she held on her wa}', and after eight weeks sail- 
ing landed in New York. There they were joined by 
Peter Dahlburg. B}- railroad and canal they pro- 
ceeded as far as Pittsburg, and thence by the Ohio 
and Mississippi Rivers to Burlington, Iowa. Com- 
ing on to Lockridge Township, Jefferson County, 
they soon realized their dream of securing pleasant 
homes. The character of these emigrants was 
marked. They were people who feared God and 
respected the rights of men. Though most of 
them were i)Oor, tliey were honest, industrious and 
frugal. The leading spirit in forming and guiding 
this colony in their efforts to reach the New World 
was Peter Cassel, the father of our subject. lie 
was a man of intelligence, well informed and of 
good business capacity. For a long time he read 
and talked of America, but it took about two 
years to raise and prepare the colon}' for embark- 
ation. 

Peter Cassel was born in Asby County, Sweden, 
October 13, 1790, but was of German descent. His 
early life was spent in acquiring the trade of a mill- 
wright, at which he worked many years, though tlie 
last six years he spent in Sweden were devoted to 
the manufacture of threshing machines. On reach- 
ing manhood he married Miss Catherine Anderson. 
a native of Kisa County, Sweden, born September 
3. 1807. When it was found that Mr. Cassel had 
fully decided to come to the Fuited States, his 
friends tried to deter him by putting him forward 
for representative of his county, but he declined 
the honor, and would let nothing turn him aside 
from his chosen course. He was a man of some 
means, and used his money liberally in assisting 



PORTRAIT AND BIOURAPHICAL ALBUM. 



389 



those who accompaiiieil liim on liic liij;. After ho 
was established in .lefferson County, many of his 
countrymen came to enjoy the opportunitios Amer- 
ica affords for acquiring wealth, and all fnuml a i 
friend and ready helper in Mr. Cassei. Both he 
and bis wife were members of the Swedish Luth- 
eran Church, but after coming to America, wiiere 
one is free to worship in any manner they desire, 
tiiey united with the Methodist Church, and he be- 
came an ordained minister of that denomination. 
His many acts of kindness, his deeds of charity, 
his words of encouragement and ready .issistance 
to those in need of .1 friend, won Uim the confidence 
and love of the entire communit}', who deeply 
mourned his loss when his life on earth was ended. 
He was called to his final rest March 4, 18.57. 
His wife long survived him, dying on the .3d of 
May, 1877. 

The family' of this wortiij- couple numbered 
seven children. Five were born in Sweden, and 
after they found a home in Iowa the circle was in- 
creased b}' the birth of another son and daughter. 
Charles J., the eldest, is a farmer of Boone County, 
Iowa; Andrew F. is the next younger; Matilda is 
the wife of Frank (). Danielson, of this county ; Cath- 
erine died at the age of nine years; Gustave died in 
Helena, Ark., in 1862, at the age of twenty-four 
years, while defending the flag of his adopted coun- 
try ; Edward died at the age of twenty-five years; 
and Carrie, the youngest of the seven, is now the 
wife of Axel .Tacobson, who resides near Creston, 
Iowa. 

Andrew F. Cassei, a worthy representative of 
this illustrious family, w.as born in Kisa County, 
Sweden, on the 3d of December, 1831. He re- 
ceived his early education in liis native land, and 
attended school for a short time in this country, 
but has acquired the greater part of his knowledge 
by intercourse with his fellow- men. especially in 
his business relations. At the age of twenty-five 
years he began life for himself, and shortly after- 
ward, on the 13th of November. 1857, he married 
Louisa Peter.son, a native of Hyklinge County, 
Sweden, born August I'.t. 1835. Wlien twelve 
years of age she accompanied her parents, Andrew 
and Christina Peterson, to the I nited States, and 
the family chose as a location Jefferson County, 



Iowa. Six children have been born of their union 
— Ella, at home; .John W.. who is employed in a 
mercantile house of Kearney, Neb.; Simon P., now 
located in Denver, Colo.; Andrew E., Clara S. and 
Esther \. 

Having attained his majority i)rior to the elec- 
tiiin of 185(5. Rlr. Cassei deposited his first ballot 
for John C. Fremont, and at each succeeding elec 
tion has supported the Republican party. His fel- 
low-citizens appreciating his worth and ability, 
have frequently called upon him to serve in oflicial 
positions, where he has displayed his uprightness 
and honest}' by his faithful discharge of every duty 
devolving upon him. In connection with all the 
minor offices he was for nine years Assessor of his 
township, for many years was Township Trustee, 
for some twelve years has held the oflicc of Notary 
Public, for four years has been Bridge Commis- 
sioner, and during the past six years has been a 
member of the County Board of Supervisors. His 
farm, comprising one hundred and twenty-seven 
acres of well-improved land, yields to him a good 
income, and in connection with its cultivation he 
raises high grades of stock. In 1884 Mr. Cassei 
was sent as a lay delegate to the Methodist Confer- 
ence convened at Philadelijhia, Pa., representing the 
entire Swedish Church. His acquaintance extends 
all over Jefferson Countj', and few are better, while 
none are more favorably known. He has many 
friends, but his enemies are indeed limited, for his 
course has ever been such as to ifia the confidence 
and esteem of all with whom business or pleasure 
have brought him in contact. 



^^ AMl'EL WORK, an intelligent and re- 
^^^ spected farmer of Union Township, Van 
lll/_^ Buren County, residing ou section 7, was 
^^ — born in Clark County, Ind., September 
30, 1818. The family is of Scottish origin, but 
from Scotland some of its mend)ers emigrated to 
the North of Ireland, whence at an early day 
in the history of the American Colonies, llcnry 



390 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAIMIICAI. AM'.l .^r. 



■Work came to America. The family had its rep- 
lesenUitives in the Rcvolutionaiy War, anil though 
none of its members iiave distinguislied themselves 
in professional or mercantile life, a line of worthy 
and respected citizens have descended from the 
American progenitor. 

Henry Work, the grandfather of our subject, was 
born in Pennsylvania, grew to manhood in that 
State, retnoved to Kentucky, and at lenglh became 
a resident of Indiana, where he became owner of 
two five hundred-acre farms which, after his death, 
were divided among his children. lie left five 
sons and three daughters — John, Samuel, Joseph, 
Andrew, llenr^', Sarah. Rebecca and Anna. The 
third of the family, Josei)h Work, became the 
father of our sulijuct. He was born in I'Xvette 
County, Pa., and when a lad of fourteen 3'ea^9 ac- 
companied his family to Kentucky, and later to 
Indiana. He was studious by nature, and although 
his advantages were not of the best, he acquired a 
good education, and became a leading citizen of 
Indiana. He first gave his attention to farming as 
a means of livelihood, but becoming crippled 
through an accident, he devoted himself to teach- 
ing, which profession he followed many years. 
Possessing oratorical powers much above the aver- 
.ige, and being a logical and deep thinker, he be- 
came note>l as a public speaker. Several terms he 
represented his district in the State Legislature of 
Indiana, and also served as Associate Judge for 
some years. He w.as a great reader, and possessed 
a retentive memory which proved of much benefit 
to him in public life. His views of political ques- 
tions changing, he discontinued his allegiance to 
the Democracy and became a supporter of AVhig 
l)rinciples. He died on the 15th of December, 
lS4j, at the age of fifty-five years. His wife, 
whose maiden name was Elvy Dunn, was born 
near Norfolk, \a.. in February, 179'J, and died on 
the 11th of August, 1874. 'I'heir children were as 
follows — Samuel, of this sketch ; Henry, deceased; 
Joseph, who resides near Mt. Zion, Iowa; John, of 
Kansas; William, who served in the Third Iowa 
Cavalry, was taken prisoner and died at Shreve- 
port. La., from the effect of ill-treatment from his 
rebel captors; Susan is living in Kansas, and Mar- 
tha and Sarah died in childhood. 



No event of special importance marked the early 
life of Spnuiel Work. He was educated in the sub- 
scription schools, attended the Clark County Semi- 
nary, of Indiana, and remained under the parental 
roof until twenty-three j-ears of age, when he bade 
goodbye to home and friends, and with three com- 
panions started for Iowa in 1841 on a prospecting 
tour. He purchaseil two hundred acres of land 
adjoining Birmingham — his present farm, butthere 
is little similarity- in the appearance of the culti- 
vated fields of to-day and the barren acres of half 
a century ago. Only ten acres of the entire 
amount had been fenced, and the work of improve- 
ment had not yet been begun. After making some 
preparation for a home he returned to Indiana, and 
on the 6th of March married Miss Hannah Beggs, 
a native of that State. Soon afterward he brought 
his young bride to the West, making the journey 
by river, and they began their domestic life in a 
little log cabin with puncheon floor, the windows 
of which looked more like port-holes than that for 
which they were intended. Their lives have here 
since been passed, but that pioneer home has long 
since been replaced by a commodious residence. 
His home farm comprises two hundred and forty- 
acres, and his landed possessions aggregate twelve 
hundred acres, making him one of the extensive 
propert^'-owners of the county. In former years 
he raised considerable stock, and personally super- 
intended the cultivation of his farms, but the 
greater part of his land is now rented, while he is 
practically living a retired life. 

Mr. and Mrs. Work have seven children living, 
and have lost two sons. John, who enlisted in the 
Thirtieth Iowa Regiment, and participated in many 
battles of the late war, died in the hospital at Keo- 
kuk. January 5, 1865; (ieorge, is living in Clark 
County, Ind. ; Joe Q., a graduate of the Mt. Pleas- 
ant College is now engaged in the practice of law 
in Lamar, Barton County, Mo.; James M., is living 
in Jefferson County, Iowa, and with his brother 
Samuel, the next younger, engages in farming and 
stock-raising; Thomas m.akes his home near Can- 
tril, Iowa; Robert E. and Emma J. are at home; 
and the other member of the family, a son, died in 
childhood. Mr. Work is a friend to education, 
and gave his children good advantages, thereby 




«ir 



V. p. TWOMBLY. 



PORTRAIT AND HIOGRAPIIICAL ALBUM. 



3t)3 



fitting lliem for the practical duties of life. In 
l.ojitieshc is a Repnblicnn, lin\ii'ir supported thai 
|inrty siiu'e 185C, when lie voted for Fremonl, its 
lirst candidate. Ills first Prcsi(icntial ballot was 
cast for Wiliiani Henry Harrison, in IHIO. Duriiij; 
those eai]\- days he manifested consideral)!e inter- 
est in political alTairs. and liad tiie [ileasure of licar- 
ing speeches made by Henry Cla}-, S. S. Prentiss, 
and otlier noted orators of tiie day. The name of 
our subject is an index to liis character, and to his 
labors may bo attiibnted his success in life. 



.. : :,g^J#iL>4^^ 



^^ APT. VOLTAIRE P. TWO.MRLY, of 
(|(^^ Keosauqua, is the present State 'i'reasurcr 
^^^ of Iowa, and a native of Van Buren County, 
among whose honored pioneers are numbered his 
paicnts. His fatlier, .Samuel Tuttle 'J'wombly, was 
l)orn in ,Ma<lbnry, N. H., and reared in Norway, 
Me. He became a resident of the Territory of 
Iowa about IS.'il), locating in ^'an Buren County, 
where soon afterward he met and married Rfiss 
Dorothy Carter Wilder, the wedding being cele- 
brated at Sulubria, near Farraington. The lad}' 
was born and reared in Westminster, Worcester 
County, Mass., and the date of her arrival in Van 
Buren County is August, 1838. 

Our subject is the only child of his parents. He 
was l)orn February 21, 184'2, in a log cabin, on a 
small farm near Farniington, and tlie same year, in 
the month of .September, iiis father died. In 1843 
the mother with her iiaby boy came to Keosauqua, 
which is still her home at the age of seventy-one, 
but for some years she has been in very poor healtii. 
To his mother our subject owes much. The care- 
ful training of his youth has done not a little to- 
wards shaping his after life, and while the mother 
feels a just pride in iier son, he cannot but remem- 
ber with gratitude the service which she |)erfornied 
for him". Ills education was acquired largely in 
private schools in Keosauqua, as the public schools 
of that day were not of a very liigh order. In the 
years 18.i',l and 18G0 he had the privilege of l)eing 



instructed hj' the Rev. Daniel Lane, the pioneer 
Congregational minister of Keosauqua, whom all 
his old scholars, anil in fact iill who knew him, re- 
member with veneiation and respect. From the 
schoolroom, though only nineteen j'ears of age, he 
entered upon nrmy life. ' ' 

In April. 181)1, immediately after the firing upon 
Ft. Sumter, Mr. Twombly, responding to the first 
call for troops, enlisted in what became Company 
F, of the Second Iowa Infanti-y. .lames M. Tuttle, 
afterward (General, was the first Captain of the 
company. He was mustered into the State ser- 
vice I\I.ay 1st, anil on the 27th into the United States 
service as a private, but was appointed Corporal 
and assigned to the Color Guard of the regiment in 
October, 1801. As such he tool< partin the charge 
made by his regiment on the rebel right at Ft. 
Donelson, Februar}' 1.5, 1S(J2. In the report of 
the part taken liy his regiment in that battle Col. 
Tuttle says: "I cannot omit in this report an ac- 
acconnt of the Color Guard. Color Sergeant Doo- 
little fell early in the engagement, pierced by four 
balls and dangerously wounded. The colors were 
then taken by Corporal Page, of Company B. who 
soon fell, dead. They were then taken Ijy Corporal 
Churchill, of Company I, who hnd his arm broken 
(afterward amputated) just as he entered the en- 
trenchments, when they \vere taken by Corporal 
Twombly, of Company F, who bore them gallantly 
to the end of the fight. Not a single man of the 
Color Guard but himself was on his feet at the 
close of the engagement."' As a reward of his 
meritorious conduct during that battle, ]Mr. Twom- 
bly- was made Sergeant, acting .as Color-Sergeant, 
and while serving in that capacity carried his 
colors as the head of his regiment through the two 
days battle of Shiloli, during tlie Gth and 7th of 
April, 1862. During the siege of Corintii, Miss., 
he served as .Second Lieutenant of his company, 
and later received a commission as such to date 
from August 1, 18G2. During the battle of Cor- 
inth, on the 3(1 and lib of October folkiwing. he 
wiis wouiuled, which necessitated ids remaining in 
the hospital for a month, tiic only time he was off 
duty during more than four years of service. The 
following year. I8G;1. the Second Iowa Infantry, as 
part of the First Brigade, Seeon<l Division.SjxIcentlj 



I'OUTUAIT AM) BIOCiKArillCAL ALBUM. 



Army Corps, comniaiidi'il bj- Oen. G. !M. Dodge, 
w.ns stationed at Coriutli, whence it proceeded 
on manj- raids after Forrest and Hliodey, with their 
rei)ei cavalry, through Nortiiern Mississippi, Ala- 
bama and Western Tennessee. These troops were 
"stationed at Pulaski, Tenn., during the winter of 
18r)3-ril, and the last of April of the latter ytar 
joined Sherman's Army just as it was moving out 
of Chattanooga against the rebel army under Gen. 
J. K. Johnston. With Oodge's Division of the 
Army of the Tennessee, JMr. Twonibly participated 
in the many battles and skirmishes of the Atlanta 
campaign from Resaca to Lovejoy Station, which 
occurred between May 1 and September 1, 18GI. He 
was slightly wounded in the battle of Jonesboro, 
August ."51, but did not enter the hospital. In July, 
of the same year, he was commissioncil First Lieu- 
tenant and Adjutant, and on the lOth of November, 
was promoted to the rank of Captain, wliich jiosi- 
tion lie ccnitinued to fill during the remainder of 
his service. With his compan\' under Sherman he 
marched '"from Atlanta to the Sea." In January, 
18C5, while at Savannah, Ga., b}' an order from 
division headquarters, he was ordered to report for 
duty as Inspector of the Third Brigade, Fourth 
Division, Fifteenth Army Corps, and served in that 
position during the march north through the Caro- 
linas to Goldsborough, and until mustered out. In 
that march they met the enemy at Columbia, S. C, 
and in IJentouvilie, N. C, where Mr. Twombly was 
last under fire. From (Joldsborough he marched 
lo Raleigh, and soon after Ihe news of Johnson's 
surrender, which brought hostilities to a close, 
reached him. Going with his command North- 
ward, he then took part in the (!rand Review of 
the Eastern and Western armies at Washington, 
proceeded thence by rail to Louisville, Ky., where 
he was mustered out July 12, and on the 20th of 
July was finally discharged at Daveni)ort, Iowa, 
after a continuous service of more than four years 
or throughout the entire war. 

After a short visit to his mother and friends in 
Keosauqua, Capt. Twombly entered Bryant & 
Stratton's Business College, of Burlington, Iowa, 
and at the end of three months accepted a position 
as manager of the large flouring interests at Ot- > 
lumwa, owned by the Orchard City Mills Company, j 



of Burlington. He there remained two yeary, dur- 
ing which time he was united in marriage with 
Miss Chloe A. Funk, of Keosauqua. the marriage 
ceremony being performed on the 1st of May, 1866. 
The lady is a daughter of Widiam Funk, Esq., one 
of the early settlers of Van Buren County, who 
emigrated from Ohio to this State when Chloe was 
three years old. She was "born February it, 1845. 

F'rom Ottumwa, in December, 1867, Mr. Twom- 
bly removed to Pittsburg, Van Buren County, 
Iowa, where he engaged in the milling business 
with his father-in law until the spring of 1876, at 
which time he removed to Keosauqua. The mer- 
cantile business then engrossed his attention until 
the autumn of 1879, when he entered into [lolitics, 
being nominated and elected Treasurer of Van 
Buren County by the Republican Ijart^-, receiving 
a majority of two hundred and thiity-nine, while 
the candidates for Sheriff, County Superindendent 
and member of the Board of Supervisors were de- 
feated. In 1881 he was renominated by acclamation, 
and elected by a majority of four hundred, the 
Democrats again electing Sheriff and Suiierintend- 
ent. His second tprm closed January 1, 1884, and 
he announced himself a candidate for Treasurer of 
.State, for which office he was nominated by accla- 
mation at the Itepublican State Convention held in 
Des Moines in August, 1884. With the others ou 
the ticket he was elected, having a majority of 
nineteen thousand; in 1886 he was renominated 
without opposition, and elected with a majority of 
sixteen thousand; and in 1888 was lenominalcd for 
a third term. This is an unusual honor in Iowa. 
The returns showed a majority of more than nine- 
teen thousand, and a plurality of thirty-one thous- 
and. By reason of this office he is a member of 
the F^xecutive Council of the Slate, composed of 
of tiie Governor, Secretary of State, Auditor of 
State and Treasurer of State, upon which body 
man}' imi)ortant duties devolve. 

Mr. Twombly is a charter member of William C. 
Harper Post, No. 7!), G. A. R., of Keosau(iua. and 
has several times represented his post in the de- 
partment encampnient, ijy which he was elected a 
delegate to the National Encampment held in St. 
Louis, Mo., in October, 1887. He is a companion 
of the F'irst Class of the Military Order of the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



395 



Loyiil Logion of the I'nited States, and is now Rc- 
fdiilci- (if the C'oinniandery of Iowa. He is also a 
JLastcr Mason of twenty-five ^ears standinp;, and for 
twenty years he and his wife have lieeii active 
inenilteis of tlio Congregational Chnrch, lie licing a 
delejiate to the Slate Association, at its fiftietli 
anniversary in May, 1890, at I)es Moines, Iowa. 

Mr. and Mrs. Twombly have Ihhmi blessed with 
five children, the two oldest, little girls, and the 
fourth, a, hoy, died in infanej'. The third, Will- 
iam Tnttlc, lived to be nearly seventeen years of 
age, and died December 28. 1887. He was the 
pride of his parents, the sunshine of their home, 
and was greatly res|)octed by both young ami old. 
Eva, the youngest and only living child, will be 
twelve years old on the 10th of November, 1890. 

The brilliant record of Voltaire P. Twombly is 
familiar to lovva's citizens, and words of praise and 
commendation would seem almost superfinous, yet 
a few facts relative to his public character we 
should like to mention. His popularity through- 
out Iowa is indicated by the large majority which 
he received on his first election to the office of 
State Treasurer, and no higher testimonial of efli- 
ciency and faithfulness to duty could be given 
than tlie statement of the fact that at the last elec- 
tion he had a greater majority than ever before. 
It shows the contidence re|)osed in him as a citizen 
and public otlicer, and the honor of being three 
tiau'S elected to his present position has been con- 
ferred upon no other man in the State since 1871. 
In church, societ}'. ami in public life his friends are 
almost nund)erlcss, and even his political enemies 
accord him their respect. 



^^^ 




!(!_, ON. LKWIS FORDYCI-:, who resides on 
section 14, Des Moines Townshi)), .lefferson 
County, is widel}' and favorably' known 
^ tliroughoiit Southeastern Iowa, and with the 
growth of this portion of the State has been pronii- 
nently connected. He represents one of the hon- 
ored pioneer families, the bead of which w.is Jairus 



Fordycc. He was a son of .a Hei-olutionary hero 
-ind his birth dccurred tn Pennsylvania. Uemovin" 
westward in his you'Ji, he nccanie acfpiainted willi 
Miss Susan (iard, a native of Ohio, whom'helmar- 
ried. He served under Gen. Harrison at the battle 
of Tippecanoe. In 181;"), they emigrated to the 
Territory of Illinois. During his stay in the Prai- 
rie State, he opened up two or three farms, but in 
1837 he determined to try his fortune on the oppo- 
site side of the Mississippi, and made a settlement 
in Lee County, Iowa. Tw(j years later he went to 
Van Buren County, where his death occurred the 
following year. His excellent wife survived him 
fifteen years, dying in 185.'). The me?nbers of their 
family now living are Seth, of Union Township, 
Van Buren County; Lewis, whose name heads this 
sketch, and Mary, now Mrs. Miller, of Lee Countv, 
Iowa. 

Lewis Fordyce w.is about seventeen years of atje 
when he accompanied his family to Iowa. His 
early life was passed amid the wild scenes of fron- 
tier settlements, and his education svas acquired in 
the subscription schools of Wab.ash County. 111. 
.\ftcr becoming a citizen of Lee County he aided 
in developing a farm. With his parents he went to 
\an Itnren Count_\- in 18;i'.i, but returned to Lee 
County in 184.'), and the following year was joined 
in wedlock with Miss Mary Newbv, a native of 
Indiana, and a daughter of Gabriel and Rebecca 
(Harvey) New by, both of whom were born in 
North Carolina, but at an early <lay became resi- 
dents of Indiana, where they spent the remainder 
of their lives. Both p.assed from this earth many 
years ago. 

Upon his marriage, Jlr. Fordyce settled upon a 
farm in Lee County, but at the end of three years 
removed to Van Buren County, where he purchased 
a partially improved farm. No one is belter con- 
versant with the correct methods of .agriculture 
than he, and his efforts were consequently attende<l 
with success. Continuing his residence in Van Buren 
County until 1873, he then came to .lefferson 
County, where he purchased an improved farm of 
three hundred acres, one hundred of which he has 
since given to his chililren. retaining two humlrcd 
acres for his own use. Working his way upward 
from a humble po<ition. he overcame the hardships 



396 



PORTRAIT AND HIOGRAPIIICAL ALBUM. 



of pioneer lifi'. surrnounteil tlio obstacles which hiy 
in his palh .■imi :il leiiuth rc:irho<l a position of af- 
Buence. his iitoperiy now lieing amply siifticienl to 
provide for all moderate wants tiirongli the remain- 
der of his life, but he has not devoted his time 
entirely to business pursuits. He has faithfully 
discharged the dufes of citizenship and has reiire- 
sented his district in the General Assembly of Iowa, 
lie was honoreil witii an election to the Fourth 
(u'nernl Assembly. representing Van IJuren County, 
and in the Twentieth General Assembly occupied 
the seat assigned to the representative of Jefferson 
County. In the legislative halls, he was an honored 
member and one who faithfully looked after the 
best interests of his constituents and the general 
coninumity. He h.-is been an influential menil)er in 
local circles of the Reiuililican (larty and was one 
of tlie organizers of that parly in Van Ruren 
Coiintv. He has also held minor odices, was Town- 
, »\\\\) Cleik in Inion Township, Van Buren County, 
:in(l while a resident of Lee County assisted in the 
organization of its school system. A more import- 
ant part of his work has been his labors in the 
ministry. For many years he has been a member 
i.f the Christian Church and for the past thirty-five 
years has engaged in preaching the Gospel, his la- 
bors extending into Missouri and throughout 
S<uitlicastern Iowa. He is now President of the 
.state Association of his churcli. and for thirty- 
three years held the otiice of Secretary in its as- 
semblies. His fervent and earnest words have been 
instruments for good in the land, but his own up- 
right and Christian life has been a no less potent 
factor in the cause. 

Unto Ml-, and Mrs. Fordyce wa.s born a famil}- 
of eight children and with one exception all are 
yet living. Winlield is married and is now engaged 
in the practice of medicine and surgery in (Wasgow, 
.lefferson County; Eugene is married and makes 
his home in \'entura County, Cal. ; llarr^' is mar- 
ried and makes his home in the same county; 
Thornton is married and resides near the old 
homestead; Carl is yet with his parents; Oscar is 
married and devotes himself to the practice of 
medicine and surgery in Guthrie County; Lew 
completes the number. 

From I be tinu' when Iowa co»itain<!d a popula- 



tion of but twenty thousand. IMr. Fordyce has 
made it his home. Few men now li\iiig have wit- 
nessed so much of its growth or been so promi- 
nenly identified with its interests. He is an honored 
pioneer, a worthy citizen and an upright Christian 
gentleman, whose influence for good in the coni- 
munit3- will still be felt long after he has passed 
away. In all his work, he has found a helpmate 
in his estimable wife, who has shared with him his 
joy and sorrow, his adversity and prosperit\'. 



-^iVtVS5^^-^ 



^^^EORGESCIIMIDTLEIN, one of the pioneer 
(|| ^^ settlers of Jefferson County, residing on 
^^M section .36, Lockridge Township, is of 
German birth. There were but two children born 
unto .lohn G. and Margaret (Kesz) Schmidtlein — 
a son and daughter. The latter, Katherine, came 
to this country and married Fiederick Grafl'. but 
is now deceasec). The son, whose name beads 
this sketch, was born in MittlefranUen, liavaria. 
August 31, 1812, and his parents were also natives 
of that district. His father died before he was 
born and afterwards his mother became the wife 
of George J. Waglier. by whom she had fourteen 
children. 

The educational advantages affcuded our subject 
were very meagre indeed. As he was the oldest 
son in a large family of half brothers and sisters, 
he was forced to begin work when very young and 
in consequence is a seff-raaile man. having been al- 
most entirely dependent upon his own efforts from 
boyhood. He was twenty-five years of age when, 
bidding good-by to home and friends, he left 
his native land for America. After an ocean 
voyage of eight weeks, he reached the shores of 
the Mew World and at once proceeded to Butler 
County, Ohio, where he embarked in farming. 
Two years later he was joined by his mother, 
step-father and ten children. During his residence 
in Ohio, in August, 1840, he was joined in wed- 
lock with Miss Mary B. Dallner, who was born 
near the birthplace of her husband, and caine 



PORTRAIT AND HIUGRAPIIICAL ALBUM. 



397 



to the United States in the same ship on wliich lie 
was a iiasscngcr. The following: April, tlic yoiniLi 
I'oiiple canic to tiie Territory of Iowa, and inakini;- 
selection of Jefferson County, as a favorable loca- 
tion, Mr. .Schmidtli'in purchased one hundred and 
twenty acres of land. After paying for the same, 
he had only ^1.37 remaining, but by selling twenlv 
acres he obtained cnougii money to purchase an ox- 
teani wiicrewith to break and ])low iiis land and 
place it under cultivalioii. lie paid his first ta.xes 
with an ax which he had liroughl with him from 
Ohio, and this is hut one example of the means 
resorted to in order to make a start in his 
new home; but year by yeai' saw his possessions 
increase, until now two hundred and twenty acres 
of good land jiay tributes to his care and culti\ ■!• 
lion. 

In 1865. Mr. Schraidtlcin was called upon to 
mourn the loss of his wife, who died on the 22nd 
of September. Nine children were born unto 
them — Henry, a farmer in Nevada; John A. and 
George F., twins, engaged in farming in California 
and Oregon, respectively; Lizzie, wife of Henry 
Schreiber, of Lockridge Township; Anna, wife of 
Henry Sehobe, a resident of AValnut Township; 
George W., a farmer of Nevada; Soph.ia, wife of 
Louis Drover, whose home is in Lockridge Town- 
ship; Frank, a resident farmer of Arizona; and 
Charles, who is engaged in the same occupation at 
the same place. On the 7th of June, 1866, Mr. 
Sehmidtlein married Katherine E. Schneider, who 
was l)orn in Ilessen, Germany, March 6, 18.S7. and 
in 1864. came with her parents. .lohn and Mary 
( r.ebehcisei ) Schneidei', to the United States. The 
foUortini; year they located in Jefferson Count}', 
Iowa, where the father died at the age of seventy- 
eight years, his vvife in the eightieth 3'ear of her 
age. To Mr. and Mrs. Sehmidtlein were born 
five children, but onl^' one of the number, Caroline 
L., is now living. 

The ])arents. like their ancestors for several 
generations remote, are members of the Lutheran 
Church. In political sentiment he is a supporter 
of the Democracy, having affiliated with that 
party since casting his first Presidential vote for 
James K. Polk. For almost half a century he has 
made his home in Jefferson County; he has been a 



witness of its giowth and progress, and has. aided 
materi.'dly in its advancement, especially in its 
agricultural interests. Whatever pertains to the 
welfare of the community may be sure of his 
hearty support, for he is a faithfid citizen and feels 
a just prble in the Improvement of the country 
wliich has so long been his home. He has lived 
the life of a hard working man, but has now a 
comfortable competence. In the earlier days of 
his settlement here, his farm being covered with 
timber, he would spend the hours from sunrise 
until dark In clearing away the brush, and between 
the setting of the sun ami miibiight huge bonfires 
would Illuminate every thing around. In this 
manner he labored on until the obstacles which 
once surrounded his jjath were done away with and 
prosperity blessed his efforts. 



\fl OSEPH ROTH is numbered among the highly 
respected citizens of Jefferson County, where 
he has resided for the long period of forty- 
seven years. His home is situatcMl on section 
12, Fairfield Townsliip. and his farm embraces a 
part of the land which he obtained from the Gov- 
ernment idniost half a century ago. Although he 
was then in very limited circumstances, his indus- 
trious halilts, combined with enterprise and a deter- 
mination to succeed, have secured for him a hand- 
some competence, and he is now numbered among 
iJic substantial farmers of the community. 

Mr. Roth was born in UcUott, Fiance, August 
6, 1817. His parents, Jacque and Kate Roth, 
were also natives of the same country, emigrated 
to America in 1831 and settled in Wayne County, 
Ohio, but not until five years later did our sul)ject 
leave his native land to seek a home across the 
water. He had just attained his majority when, 
in 1836, he joined his family in W.ayne County. 
Ills capital was sixty-seven cents, and with tliat 
sum he began life In tlie New World, but In a 
country where all who will, may work and rise 
above a humbli; iiosltion, he met with success and 



8'J8 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



prosperity crowned his efforts. He f^onfinefl his 
operations to the dairy business while in Ohio, but 
!-ince c'oming to Iowa has devoted his energies to 
agricultural pursuits. His lirst purchase of land 
In .lefferson County was a tract in Cedar Towusliip, 
which he obtained from the Government, and 
which still forms a part of his farm. He made 
his home thereon until 1819, when he moved across 
the township line to his present home. As lime 
])asscd and his farm began to prove ft paying in- 
vestment, he extended his acreage until at one time 
he owned eight hundred acres, but a portion of 
this he has since divided with his children. and the 
old homestead now comprises three hundred and 
>ixly acres. To those who know Mr. Roth and 
are fanilllar with his industrious, practical and en- 
ergetic habits, it is needless to say that his farm is 
a model one in every particular. All necessary 
Improvements have been made, good stock is there 
raised and lields of grain yield a golden reward 
for his care and cultivation. 

While in AVa_\ ne County, Ohio, Mr. Koili was 
joined in wedlock with Miss Mary Klopfenslein, 
daughter of Christ Klopfenslein. .She was born in 
Soull'.ern France, on the 24th of .September, 1823. 
came to America in the year 1832, and on the 
23d of December, 1840, became the wife of Mr. 
Roth. Two children were born unto them in 
Ohio, and after their removal to Iowa the family 
circle was Increased by the birth of eleven chil- 
dren, making in all a band of thirteen, seven sons 
and six daughters. Of that number nine are yet 
living. Lydia, the eldest, died at the age of four 
years; Peter wedded Mary Weitzel and lives in 
Hlack Hawk Township, Jefferson County; Rebecca 
is the wife of Adam Messer, of LocUridgc Town- 
ship, Jefferson County ; Elizabeth die<l at the age 
of one year; John wedded Mary J. Droz and is a 
resident of Fail Held Township; Christian is at 
home; Jose|)h died at the age of five years; Mary 
is with her father; Anna is llie wife of V. A. Lam- 
son, of Fairfield ; Jake is at home; Lizzie died at 
the age of three years; Edward married Mary An- 
derson and is residing in lloldridge, Xeb. ; Benja- 
min F. is located in Omaha, Neb., and completes 
the family. Mrs. Rolli, the mother of the above- 
nanu'd children, died on the lllli of March, 18fe6. 



She was a Menonnite in religious belief and lived 
a useful life. Mr. Roth and his daughter Mar^- 
are also believers in the same faith and in politics 
he and his sons, with one exception, are Demo- 
crats. Genial, warm-hearted and loyal, he wins 
hosts of friends and enjoys the confidence and 
good-will of his neighbors in a marked degree. 



-^g-J^L^^^ — 



ENJAMIN F. FORD, who is engaged in 
., farming on section 28, Uijion Township, 
1; Van Buren County, is a native of Ohio, his 
birth having occurred in AVayne County, 
May 24, 1837. He is descended from good old 
Revolutionary stock, his paternal great grandfather, 
Henrj- Ford, having served in the War for Inde- 
pendence and died in Wayne County, Ohio, at the 
very advanced age of one hundred and fifteen 
years and fifteen days. The father of our subject, 
Jacob B. Ford, was born in Pennsylvania, May 27, 
1804, and in his youth accompanied his family to 
W^ajMie County, Ohio, where he formed the .ac- 
quaintance of Miss Christina Fleck, whose hand he 
sought in marriage. Thej- were joined in marriage 
in AVayne County, where the lady was born In 
1807. Her parents were Germans by birth and 
could speak onl}' their mother tongue. Having 
resided in Ohio until 1849, Mr. F\)rd brought his 
family to Iowa, locating in Iowa Count}-, but the 
following year he came to Van Buren Count}' and 
settled near Winchester, where his wife, who was a 
member of the United Brethren Church, died in 
1851. He afterwards married Mrs. Sallle Barker, 
by whom he had three children, two }'et living. 
By his first wife he had nine children, four of 
whom are living. About 1870, Mr. P\)rd became 
a resident of Davis County, Iowa, where he still 
makes his home. Politic-all}- he is a Democrat, 
and in religious belief a ^Missionary Baiitist. 

In the usual manner of farmer lads Benjamin F. 
Ford si)cnt the days of his boyhood and youth. 
His education was mostly acquired at his own fire- 
side, his parents heli)ing him to master llic nidi- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



89d 



mentarv branclics of learning, for the scliools in 
their neiglihorliood were few in nuinljer ami often 
the teachers were very inefficient. On neariiitf 
years of niatnrity. lie looked about him for some 
business he wished to follow, not caring to continue 
farniing and his choice fell upon the blacksmith's 
trade. After mastering tiiat occupation, he carried 
on blacksmithing for a livelihood until 18G4, when 
he drove some stock to California, returning the 
same year. He then opened a shop in Winchester, 
where for nine years he attended to the wants of 
the people in need of his services, doing a good 
business. Thtreby lie accumulated capital which 
enabled him to purchase his present farm — a one 
hundred and seventy-two and one-half acre tr.ict 
of good farming land, pleasantly situated about a 
half mile south of AVinchester. 

An important event in the life of Mr. Ford oc- 
curred on the 21st of November. 18;)!!, which da3' 
witnessed the celebration of his marriage with 
Elezan Calhoun, who was born in Holmes County, 
Ohio, February 28, 183G. Her parents, John and 
Isabel (Jameson) Calhoun, were natives of Penn- 
sylvania, and in childhood emigrated to Holmes 
County, Ohio, where they were married. In 1841, 
they came to Iowa and spent the remainder of 
their lives in Van Buren County. In their family 
were nine children, of whom six j-et live. The 
father was a Democrat and died in the eighty-fifth 
year of his age, while his wife had reached the age 
of seventy -seven years at the time of her death. 
Two children came to gladden the home of Mr. 
and Mrs. Fonl by their presence and the family 
circle yet remains unbroken. The daughter, how- 
ever has left the parental roof. .She is now Mrs. 
Luella L. Bonnette, wife of Aiuos Bonnette, a 
resident of I'nion Township, Van Buren County. 
The son. John H., is a farmer of the same town- 
ship. 

The upright lives of Mr. and Mrs. Ford have 
won lliem warm friends and secured for them a 
position in the ranks of Van Buren County's best 
citizens. Both are active workers in the Methodist 
Church, Mr. Ford serving as Class Leader and 
Steward. He supports the Republican party but has 
never been an ortice seeker, preferring to devote 
himself to the interests of his family and his busi- 



ness. Wliou he began life for himself he had but 
^11. but his efforts were successful and he w.ns 
getting under fair way to become a prosperous 
citizen when he went to California, taking with him 
■i< 1, 000 of his earnings which he there sunk. On 
his return good friends loaned him n)onc3- where- 
with to make a new start in life and by hard work, 
good management and perseverance he has again 
arisen. 



'^/BRAHAM C. NOBLE, a pr.actical farmer 

*,SLJ residing en section 2, Fairfield Township, 




Jefferson County, was born in Blair County, 
\(Xy Pa., on the 20th of April, 1821, and is a 

son of John and Elizabeth (Crane) Noble. In the 
usual manner of farmer lads his early life was 
spent, the only educational advantages which he 
received were such as the district schools afforded 
and during the summer months when his services 
were needed in the fields he was not permitted to 
improve even those meagre opportunities. In 1837, 
when a lad of sixteen years, he removed with his 
family to Indiana Count3-, Pa., where his father 
operated an iron manufactury. Their home was 
on the present site of the city of Altoona, and 
thee he grew to manhood. On the 1 1th of Januar}-, 
1844, he was united in marriage with Miss Martha 
Altimus. who was a native of Indiana Count}', Pa., 
and a daughter of Nicholas Altimus. After eigh- 
teen years of married life, she was called to her 
final rest, leaving one child, a daughter. Mar}-, 
who is now the wife of Joseph T. Ross of Oregon. 
Mr. Noble was again married on the 11th of M.ny, 
18G3, his second wife being .Miss Martha B. 
Madden, who was born in Franklin County. Pa., 
and is a daughter of Spencer Madden. In Novem- 
ber, 18G3, Mr. Noble closed out his business in the 
Keystone State and leaving Cambria County, where 
he had I'esidcd for some years, he started for the 
West, Iowa being his destination. Locating in 
Fairfield, he embarked in the mercantile business 
which he carried on for two years and for the 
succeeding ten years <levotcd his time and energies 



-10(1 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



to (Icaliiij; in live slock. M the fixpiralion of Uiat 
litiH! lie took tip the pursuit to wliieli he liad been 
rearod and lias since lieen numbered among the 
leadlnf; farmeis of .lefferson County. His first 
farm was situalrd in HIack Hank Township, hut 
afleiward he ivmoved to i'.nolher farm of one hun- 
dred and sixty acres situated nearer me citj', and 
in 1H8.5 he took up his residence at his present 
home where he now owns forty acres of land. 

In political sentiment Mr. Noble is a stanch 
Republican and has been the people's choice to 
represent them in a number of township olfices, 
the duties of which he discharged with prompt- 
ness and fidelity. He is a member of Fairfield 
Lodge, No. 37, K. P., and is a man well informed 
on the leading issues of the day, both political and 
otherwise. He was reared in the faith of the 
Lutlieran Church and is now a member of that 
denomination, while his wife holds membership 
with the Methodist Episcopal Churcii. This worthy 
couple hive a wide circle of friends and acquaint- 
ance in Jeflferson County, and this brief sketch of 
their lives will undoubtedly' be received with inter- 
est by many of our readers. 



•S€{^'' 



y^^ APT. DANIKL RIDER. Among those 
|l( proniinenlly identified with the early settle- 

■^^z iiieiit of Iowa, must be mentioned the worthy 
gentleman whose name heads this sketch. He was 
born in Fayette County, Pa., November 28, 1808, 
and is a son of Lawrence and Ann Maria (Wen- 
baugh) Rider. His ancestors on Indh sides were 
among the early colonists of Pennsylvania, and 
both of his grandfathers evinced their patriotism 
by serving in the Colonial army in the War of the 
Revolution. 

Our subject was reared on a farm until nineteen 
years of age when he learned the tanner's and 
currier's trade in Claysville, of his native State, and 
was engaged in that line of business for twenty 
years. As a companion on life's journey he chose 
Miss Ann McCall, their wedding taking place in 



Januaiy, 1832, in Washington County, Pa. The 
lad^' is a native of that county and is descended from 
an old family of Pennsylvania. Seven children 
were born to Captain .ind .Mrs. Rider, four sons 
and throe daughters, the record of whom is as 
follows: Mary J., the eldest, deceased ; George L. 
marrieil Matilda A. Conway, and is living in Crcs- 
ton, Pa. ; Ann Maria, wife of Andrew Simons, 
deceased ; Thomas M. married Belle G. Register 
and is a farmer of Fairfield Township, Jefferson 
County ; Emeline is the wife of Madison Black, 
also a resident of Fairfield Township ; Henry 
wedded Miss Sarah Gow and resides on the old 
homestead in the same township ; William T. was 
twice married, wedding Miss Katie Cobb after the 
death of his first wife, whose maiden iiame was 
.lennie M. Fry. 

Capt. Rider is an old time Democrat and prior 
to coining to Iowa was quite prominent in I'enn- 
sylvania politics. He was twice elected to the 
House of Representatives of his native State, and 
served two terms as a member of that body with 
credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. 
He w.as also deputj' United States Marshal of 
Pennsylvania and assisted in taking the census of 
the Keystone State in 1840. 

In the fall of 184G, with the desire to beuelit his 
financial condition be emigrated to the newly made 
State of Iowa, locating in Jefferson County. Shortly' 
after his arrival he became associated in business 
with Messrs. Ilenn and Williams, under the firm 
name of Henn, W^illiams & Co., real-estate dealers 
of Fairfield, and was extensively engaged in locat- 
ing and entering public lands. While devoting his 
attention to that pursuit he located manj' thousand 
acres of land in Iowa. The tract nowemliraced in 
Sioux City was selected and entered by him .as a 
town site. In 184(), he settled u|)on the farm 
which he now owns and occupies in company with 
his son Henry, the location being section 3, Fair- 
field Township. In connection with the operation 
of his land, which is alw.ays well cultivated and 
improved, he has taken a warm interest in bee cul- 
ture and has kept an apiary nearl3' forty years, an.l 
for many years owned the largest in Jefferson 
Countj-, while it is now second in importance. 

Mrs. Rider was a member of the Iniled Presb}'- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



403 



terian Church in early life, but later joined her 
Inishrtiid in tlie Lutheran Churcli and was a meinher 
of lliiit society at tlie time of lier deatii in Novem- 
ber, 1872. The Captain lias been a member of tlie 
Lutheran Cliurch since 1848. He is one of tlie 
oldest early surviving settlers of .lefferson County 
and his acquaintance throughout the State is ex- 
tcnsive. A man of genial and affable manner, 
alv^'ays road^' to perform any favor in his power 
for a friend, neighbor or stranger, Capt. Rider has 
m.ade a host of friends and is regarded .as one of 
the most relialile and most highly esteemed citizens 
of Jefferson County'. 



HARLKS C. RISK, senior member of the 
firm of Risk, Hufstedler and Whitham, 
^i/' the leading dry-goods firm of Fairfield, 
and also a member of several other mercantile 
houses, is a native of the Ilawkeye State, ids 
biiLli having occurred in Washington County, No- 
vember 16, 1839. His parents, R. C. and Susan 
(Roberts) Risk, were pioneers of IJrighton, Wash- 
ington County. Towa, of 1837. They were orig- 
inally from reiiiisylvania, and on their emigration 
10 the West located first in Northern Illinois, 
near Rockford, where they spent a few years and 
then came to Iowa, settling in l'>riglitoii. Mr. 
Risk's father was engaged in farming and mer- 
chandising and is 'now engaged in loaning money 
and attending to his landed interests. 

The subject of this sketch was reared to farm 
life and was educated in tiie private and common 
schools of the neighborhood. He began his business 
career as a salesman in his father's store in Brighton 
and in IHCri was admitted to |)artiicrship One 
year later he formed a partnership with Charles 
Kremer, under the firm name of Risk & Krenier. gen- 
eral merchants, which connection continued three 
years, when' Mr. Risk bouglit out his partner and 
continued the business one year, when he sold out 
and removed to Manhattan Mills, Keokuk County. 
The succeeding twoye;u> he siieiit in milling, and 



merchandising in that place, part of the time as a 
partner of his father and part of the time connected 
with Mr. Bryon. The year 1809 witnessed his arrival 
in Fairfield, where he embarked in merchandising 
for himself. In 1871 he took Mr. Sheward,a former 
clerk, into partnership, but after a year and a half 
that connection was dissolved. Li .September, 1873, 
he associated with him as a partner AV^illiam M. Huf- 
stedler, the firm being Risk & Hufstedler, dealers 
in dry-goods, boots and shoes. In 1882 J. M. 
Whitham bought an Interest in the business and 
the existing firm was formed. The bouse has a 
complete tailoring establishment connected with it, 
and does an annual business of about §30,000. 

In addition to the extensive mercantile house in 
Fairfield, of which he is the head, Mr. Risk is con- 
nected with several others of considerable import- 
ance in neighboring cities, which he established, 
and of which he is yet either sole or part owner. 
In 1869 he established a general store in Liberty- 
ville, Iowa, which he operated alone until 1888, 
since which time Rola Warner has been his part- 
ner and is now resident manager, the business being 
conducted under the firm name of Risk & Warner. 
When that establishment was placed in good work- 
ing order Mr. Risk started a general store in Bir- 
mingham, Van Buren County, in 1 872. and continued 
operations alone for ten years, when he sold out to 
Joseph Graham an interest in the business, which is 
now carried on uiiiler the style of Risk & Graham. 
He is also engaged in milling in Merrimac. The 
firm of Bryon. Risk & Saltzman are proprietors of 
the Merrimac Mills, of that place, and arc doing 
an extensive and successful business. During the 
past year they converted into flour upwards of 
thirty thousand bushels of wheat, besides grinding 
some ten thousand bushels of other grain. The 
firm also owns a stock farm of three hundred and 
twenty acres in Walnut Township, where they an- 
nually feed about two hundred head of cattle. At 
one time Mr. Risk was running stores at Perlee 
and loka, Iowa, in addition to those previously 
mentioned, having in all five separate stores at the 
same time. He did all the buying for the five and 
kept all Fastern accounts and paid all bills, and 
during this period kept the books for the Fairfield 
fiini. In eonnection willi J. W. Burnett, be owns the 



401 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Fairfield Canning Factory, having been identifier! 
Willi tliat enterprise for three years. He is also 
owner of a stock farm of aliout three hundred acres 
lying in the township of Fairfield, where he feeds 
about two hundred head of cattle annually. He has 
been successfidly engaged in the stock business for 
ilie past five or six years, and during 1889 he fatted 
and sold two liundred head of cattle. 

Mr. Risk was married in Washington County, 
Iowa, on the "i-id of August, 1864, to Miss Sarah 
J. Townseiul. a daughter of J. D. Townsend. Mrs. 
Risk was born in Lawrence County, Pa., and came 
to I<jwa in 1 8C1. 

Mr. Risk is a Republican in politics, but has 
never sought or desired public office. He has pre- 
ferred to devote his undivideil attention to his ex- 
tensive business interests, and has been eminently 
successful in the various enterprises which he has 
undertaken. Industrious and eneigetic, possessing 
good executive ability and a thorough knowledge 
of mercantile business, Mr. Risk has not only built 
up an extensive and prosperous business for him- 
self, but has also aided others in getting a start, 
choosing his partners generally from those who 
hare been his clerks for years and who.se ability 
and trustworthiness be has full}' tested. 



VWOKL K. CAMPRKLL, an early settler who 
for many years was a prominent merchant 
of F'airfield, but is now living a retired life 
(^J^ on his farm, was born in Washington,Wash- 
ington County, Pa., March 23, 1822, and is a son 
of William Passraore and Catherine (Poole) Camp- 
bell. His father was born in Maryland, October 
26, 1796, and was of Scotch and English descent. 
The paternal grandfather of our subject was a na- 
tive of Scotland and in his youth came to America, 
where he married Miss Passmore, a lady of Eng- 
lish origin. William Campbell, who in pursuit of 
fortune engaged in merchandising, died June 29, 
1825, at the early age of twenty-nine years. His 



wife, who was born in Richmond, Va., in 1795, long 
survived her husband and died in Fairfield, Iowa, 
in 1875, at the age of eighty years. 

The subject of this skelcii was reared in his na- 
tive town and educated in Washington College. 
He entered upon his business career as a salesman 
in a mercantile e>tablisliment and was married, in 
Wheeling, Va., on the 13th of Aiiril, 1848. to Miss 
Anna Eliza Crawford. This lady is a daughter of 
James and Margaret Crawford, and was born in the 
city of Steubenville, Ohio, in 1831. 

Prior to his marriage, in 1845, Mr. Campbell 
came to Jefferson County, Iowa, :md purchased a 
tract consisting of four hundred acres of land in 
Fairfield Township, which is a part of his present 
farm and which has now been in his possession for 
almost half a centurj-. He remained but a short 
time in Iowa and then returned to Pennsylvania, 
but in 1847 he made a second trip to Fairfield and 
two years later established a general store in this 
city in company with James Eckert. Leaving the 
business in the care of his partner, he returned to 
Pennsj'lvania, closed up his affairs in that Slate and 
in April, 1850, brought his family to Fairfield. 
His residence and a storc^ were on the present site 
of the First National Bank, and he continued busi- 
ness at that (loint until 1858, when he sold out but 
made his liorae in the city until 1875, when he re- 
moved to his farm, which is situated on the east 
half of section 11, Fairfield Township, and which 
has since been his place of residence. He now owns 
five hundred acres of rich prairie land, well im- 
proved, and his home a tasty and commodious 
brick structure, is pleasantly situated in the edge 
of an extensive maple grove that shelters it from 
the northwest winds and forms a bower of beauty 
around it. 

Mr. and Mrs. Campbell arc the parents of six 
children, four of whom are living: William P., who 
married Melo I'almer. resides in Los Vegas. N. 
Mex., where he publishes the Los A'egas Optic, of 
which he is editorial manager; James, the second 
child died at the age of one year, and Crawford 
died in infancy; Samuel, unmarried, is a practicing 
physician of Omaha. Neb.; Eugene was joined In 
wedlock with Miss Minnie Derr, and is a leading 
iiomeopathit physician of Fairfield: Anna is the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



■105 



wife of Joseph Whith.im, junior partner of tlie firm 
of Risk, Ilufslpiller & Wiiitham, of Fairfield. 

Mr. Campbell casts his ballot in support of the 
Democracy and keeps himself well informed on 
public affairs but has never sought or desired politi- 
cal distinction. He is a gentleman of superior busi- 
ness ability and has been successful in his undertak- 
ing mnch beyond the average of men. His course 
in life has been marked by strict integrity and 
fairness and has won for him the respect and esteem 
of his fellow-citizens. lie is truly one of the rep- 
resentative men of the county for he has been 
prominently connected with her business interests 
am\ with the growth, progress and advancement 
she has made. 






?»}EORGE W. DAVHJSOX. who is engaged in 
r-_ — , farming on section 21, Bonaparte Township, 
■J,] has resided in Van Buren County' for fift}-- 
four consecutive years, and is therefore numbered 
iimong its earliest settlers. The public enterprises 
of the county, such .as were calculated for the up- 
building of the comniuniiy have received his sup- 
port, and with the growth of the county he has 
been prominently identifictL especially has he been 
instrumental in the development of its wild land. 
He is a native of Georgetown, Brown County, 
Ohio, horn December 18, 1818. and is a son of 
•John and Mary (West) Davidson, the former a na- 
tive of Pennsylvania, and the latter of Maryland. 
In childhood they removed with their respective 
families to Kentucky, settling near Augusta at an 
early day, when the countrj- round about was wild 
and unimproved. Having married, they settled in 
Brown County. In the midst of the heav}' tim- 
bered region Mr. Davidson developed a farm. 
Twelve children were born of his union with Miss 
West, eleven of whom lived to mature 3 ears, and 
emigrated to Iowa. The eldest of the family is 
John W.; Kliza married Gibson Hessler, and both 
are now deceased; Nancy married .Samuel Hessler, 
and died in this county; Benjamin F., when Last 



heard of was in Texas; George W. is the next 
younger; Christopher Ci died in the South during 
the Rebellion ; Oliver E. went to Texas, and in 
1862 started for the North. Being forced into the 
service, he wtnt to Ft. Hudson, and was captured 
by Gen. Banks. He was sent to the hospital at New 
Orleans, where he is supiiosed to have died ; Thomas 
P. died in the South; Mary Ann became the wife 
of James Schoolcraft, and removed to Texas, but 
iluring the Rebellion they returned to this county, 
where both died; Matilda became the wife of Dan- 
iel McCoy, and died in this county; Susan became 
the wife of Jacob Gardenhj're, and is living in the 
South. One child died in infancy. In 1836, Mr. 
Davidson, the father of this family, brought his 
wife and children to Van Buren County-, but sub- 
sequently removed to Texas, where he died in 
187S. In his early life he was a Whig, but on the 
dissolution of that party became a Democrat. A 
man of worth and intelligence, he became a proini- 
incnt citizen, and his opinions bore weight wherever 
the^^ were expressed. He was a member of the first 
Constitutional Convention from Van Buren Countj-. 
His wife died in 1807. 

Grandfathtr Joshua Davidson w.as seven years 
in the Revolutionary War; was in the artillery, the 
firing of which much impaired his hearing. His 
father came from Scotland, and settled in Pennsyl- 
vania, and his mother, Ellen Beam, emigrated from 
Germany. 

The subject of this sketch was educated in the 
county of his nativity, and in his boyhood days 
was a school mate of U. S. Grant when thev at- 
tended the log schoolhouse together. At the a^e 
of sixteen years he accompanied the family on 
their removal to ^'crrailion County, 111. Duriii"- 
their journey they passed through Indianapolis, 
then a mere hamlet containing but few houses. As 
before stated, the month of July, 1836, witnessed 
his arrival in \'an Buren County, then a part of 
the Territory of Wisconsin. He has borne his share 
in the hardships and trials of pioneer life, and aided 
in the arduous task of developing from the wild 
land a fertile farm. 

Mr. Davidson has been twice marrieci. In lt<l(), 
he led to the marriage altar Miss Hannah A. Tomp- 
kins, daughter of Sarles and Anna Tompkins, and 



406 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



a distant relative of Gov. Tompkins, of New York, 
of wliicii Stale she 'was a native. By their union 
were born seven children as follows: SarlesT., who 
enlisted in tiie Second Iowa Infantry, was wounded 
in the thigh, ;at Corinth, '^Miss., and' served three 
years; Joanna, wife of John Hay. of Lewis County. 
Mo.; James, who is livinir in Van liuren County; 
Mary E.. wife of William Scott, of Colorado; 
Maria, wife of Samuel Giles, of Lewis County Mo.; 
Sarah J., wife of James Tompkins, of California; 
and Lima, wife of Pierce Bradford, who makes his 
home in Van Buren County. Mrs. Davidson died 
on the ;!Oth of Juno, 188G, and her loss was sin- 
cerely mourned liy many frienjls as well as her im- 
mediate family. She was reared in the faith of the 
Society of Friends. On the 9th of April, 1889. Mr. 
Davidson was again married, the lady of his clioieo 
being Miss Nancy A. Pervines, daughter of James 
and Mar}' Ann Pervines. pioneer settlers of tliis 
county. She is a Presbyterian. 

Few have longer been residents of V;in Buren 
County than he whose name heads this sketch, there 
are not many more widely known, and none are 
held in higher esteem. He has made farming his 
life occupation, and devoted himself to that pur- 
suit in a quiet, unassuming manner, at the same 
time faithfully discharging his duties of citizenship. 
Politically, he was a Whig, then a Republican until 
of later years, now being conservative. 



; H»HPJ 



SKOUGK FATHERSON, a farmer and stock- 
, raiser on section 34, Des I\Ioines Town- 
ship, is a leprcsenlative of one of the pio- 
neer families of Van Bnren County, lie is of 
English birth, but no truer American citizen Onds 
a home in Iowa, and among his fellow townsmen 
he is held in high regard. He was born in Che- 
shire, England, August 17. 1836, being the young- 
est son of Thomas and Martha (Simpson) Father- 
son, who were natives of the same county. His 
father, unaccompanied by any member of his fam- 
ily, left England in 1839, crossed the Atlantic to 



America, and made a settlement in Van Buren 
County, Iowa, where he entered a section of land 
on Indian Creek. After making preparations for a 
home, he was joined by his wife and children in 
1854. Farming was the means he used to secure a 
livelihood, and by strict attention to his business 
lie had acquired at the time of his death, which oc- 
curred in 1866, a comfortable property. His wife 
survived him some twelve years, dying in 1871. 
Of their once large family which numbered thir- 
teen members, only four are now living: William, 
who is married and resides in Canada; Elizabeth, 
now Mrs. Ilankey, of Kansas; and Thomas, who is 
living in Des Moines Township, Van Buren Count}'. 
The fourth member of the family is he whose 
name heads this sketch. George Fatherson passed 
his early life in his native land, and was educated 
ill its public schools. With his mother, brothers 
and sisters, he bade good-b}' to his English home in 
1854, and came to the New World, joining his fa- 
ther in Van Buren County, Iowa. He was then 
eighteen years of age, and shortly afterward he be- 
gan life for himself, workingasa farm hand. Hav- 
ing by industry and economy accumulated some 
means, in 1856 he madchis flrst purchase of land, 
consisting of an eighty-acre tract, to the improve- 
ment of which he devoted his energies until 1864, 
when he made an overland trip to California. The 
succeeding three years of his life he was engaged 
in farming on the Pacific Coast, but in that time he 
became convinced that Iowa was the home for him, 
and he returned to Van Buren C(^unty. Shortly 
afterward he led to the marriage altar Miss Editha 
Phillips, a native of Licking County. Ohio, and a 
daughter of John and Matilda (Pumphrey) Phil- 
lips, who were also born in Licking County. The 
year 1840 witnessed their emigration to Van Bnren 
County, and locating in Des Moines Township, 
Mr. Phillips opened up a farm whicli continued to 
be his home up to the time of his death, which oc- 
curred in 1874. His wife preceded him eleven 
years, dying in 1863. Mr. Phillips was one of the 
inlluential and respected citizens of the county. He 
took a prominent part in jjolitical affairs, was an 
ardent supporter of Republican principles, and did 
all in his power for the success of the party. But 
he was most actively eng.ago'l in religious work, and 



PORTHAir AND BKX IKAPIIICAL ALBUM. 



407 



his faith and lielief prompted him to perform worlds 
of fiiarily and Ijontvolcnec. and acts of itindness 
which won iiini tiie love and regard of all, and en- 
shrined his mcQior}- in the liearLs of those upon 
whom he bestowed his favors. 

Mr. and Mrs. Katherson have spent their entire 
married life on the farm wliich is still their home, 
and tliere have been born unto them three cliildriMi 
— Mattie, Thomas, and John, all of whom are yet 
living. The two eldest are graduates of the Iligli 
School of Keosauqua, and John is now pursuing tlie 
required course of study in that school. The home 
of this family is a pleasant residence situated in 
the midst of two hundred and eiglity acres of valu- 
able land, which is under a high state of cultiva- 
tion. Tbeie are found all the needed imiirove- 
ments, and many of an ornamental character. A 
chief branch of the industry of Mr. Fatherson. is 
stock-raising, he making a specialty of thorough- 
lired Durluun cattle and yiiropsiiire sheep. His 
political sentiments are Republican, he having voted 
with that party since becoming an American citi- 
zen. For several consecutive years he has held the 
office of Justice of the Peace, and has al.-o been a 
member of the School Board. The cause of educa- 
tion finds in liim a warm friend, and he has done 
not a little to advance the standard of the schools 
in this community. Thirty-six years have come 
and gone since Mr. Fatherson located in this county, 
and many are the changes which have taken place 
during that interval. It has also lirought i)ros|)er- 
it3' to him through his own efforts, and after his 
name may be written the words of praise, "a self- 
made man." 



'Y OHN ROSS, a representative farmer of Fair- 
field Township, Jefferson Countj', residing 
on section 3. has been connected with the 
growth and advancement of this community 
since April, i86C>. He was born in Fayette County. 
Pa., and owns an interest in a farm which has 
been in possession of the family since 1783, The 



first member of the family of whom we have any 
record w.as Robert Ross, the grandfather of a sec- 
ond Robert Ross, who was the original ancestor of 
the American branch, and the great-grandfather of 
our subject. The father of John Ross was Hanan- 
iah Ross, who was born April 18, 1800, and died in 
the same house where his birth occurred. The 
maiden name of his wife was Hannah Rider. 

The subject of this sketch received a common- 
school education and was reared to farm life. He 
visited Jefferson County in 1847 on a prospecting 
tour but did not then make a location. He re- 
turned to his native Stale and on the 10th of Feb- 
ruary of the following year was united in marriage 
with Miss Rebecca J. Winders, a daughter of Sam- 
uel and Margaret (Burnside) Winders. She was 
born in Mea(ieville, Pa., and her mother belonged 
to the same family of which Gen. Burnside was a 
memljcr. The following children graced their union: 
Laura; Virginia ; fleorge Y., who married Emma 
Ross and is now a dealer in hardware and machin- 
ery in Piano, Iowa ; Jessie S., wife of Thomas 
Davies, who is living in Black Hawk Township, 
Jefferson County; William O., an attornej' of Fair- 
field, and Alma. Margaret and Josiah, the two 
eldest of the family died at the ages of twelve and 
twenty-two years respectively. 

For a few years after his marriage, Mr. Ross en- 
gaged in farming in his native State but in 18o5 
turned his attention to merchandising which he 
carried on in M.asontown, Pa., for some eleven 
years. .Selling out in 186G, he then came to Jeff- 
erson Count}' and making a location on section 3, 
Fairfield Township, has since carried on farming 
with some degree of success. As regards his po- 
litical sentiments he is now a Republican, having 
supported that party since its organization. His 
first Presidential vote was cast in 184'.t for Zach- 
ary Taylor. Mr. Ross was instrumental in the or- 
ganization of the County Agricultural Association 
which has now been in existence for fifteen years. 
He was made its first secretary and still holds the 
position, having been continuously in that office 
with the exception of three terras. He has also 
been the Secretary of the .School Board of Fairfield , 
Township for a continuous period of twenty yeai-s 
and has done not a little for the advancement of 



408 



POKTUAIT AND BIOGRAIMIICAL ALBLM. 



the cause of oducatioii in this neij^liborliooil. "Mr. 
Ross is an enterprising and successful fiinner and 
has been prominently identified will) tiie public 
affairs of Jefferson County since liis arrival in Io«a. 
and tal<es ranit anion" its representative citizens. 



♦^^ 



-£* » •* 



W 



ILLIAM ANSON, a farmer and slock- 
^/•i raiser of Henry Township, residing on 
section 9, has spent almost his entire life 
in Van Buren Countj'. lie was born in I'ike 
County, Mo., on December 10, 1827, and at the 
age of seven years accompanied his parents, Henry 
and Elizabeth (Paralee) Anson, to Iowa. Being 
the j'oungest in a family of twelve children the 
advantages which he received in his youth were 
necessarily limited. The first school which he at- 
tended was taught by Dr. Comstock in a leg 
building, the dimensions of which were 8x8 feet. 
He there conned his first lessons ami in the district 
schools of the neighborhood acquired a knowledge 
of the common branches. The companions of his 
boyhood were mostly Indian lads, for the red men 
were still numerous in tlie neighborhood having 
not yet left for their western reservation. He 
became well acquainted with the chiefs. Black 
Hawk and Keokuk, who frequently' came to his 
father's home and remained for a meal. 

At eighteen years of age i\[r. Anson began life 
for himself. By that lime his older brothers and 
sisters were almost all married and left the parental 
loof for homes of their own and he took upon 
himself the management and care of the home- 
.slead farm. In 18G2 he was united in marriage 
with Miss Charlotta Martin, a daughter of Abner 
and Louisa (White) Martin, who are numbered 
among the pioneer settlers of Van Bureu County. 
The same spring he purchased two hundred and 
lifty acres of partially improved land in Henry 
Township which constitutes a portion of his present 
farm and began its development, transforming the 
wild prairie into rich and fertile fields. As his 
financial resources were increased, the result of his 



energy and industry, he extended the boundaries 
of his farm and [nircliased other lands until his 
possessions now aggregate seven hundred and ten 
acres. The homestead is one of the finest farms in 
the community, having go'td buildings, well ke|)t 
fences and the latest improved machinery which 
together with his comfortable residence plainly in- 
dicates that the owner is a man of thrift and enter- 
Ijrise. In addition to general farming he carries 
on stock raising, kee[)ing on hand only improved 
grades. In political sentiment. Mr. Anson is a 
Republican and in the success of his party manifests 
a deep interest. The cause of education finds in 
him a warm friend and any worthy object calcu- 
lated to benefit or upbuild the count}' may feel 
.assured that it will receive his hearty support and 
co-operation. 

Mr. and Mrs. Anson are the parents of five 
children now living and they lost one son. Grant, 
who died in 18()4. Those who still survive are 
Belle, Owen, Iowa, Curtis and Fred. 



^^ 



, .^ ENRY C. HILL, of the firm of Bell, Hill k 
ifjji Kays, dealers in grain, lumber, seeds and 
\>X^ live stock, is one of the leading business 
l^J) men of Milton. This business, in which he 
is now a partner, was established by J. D. Hollings- 
head about 1880, who, five years later, was joined 
by C. E. Bull and the business carried on under 
the firm name of HoUingshead k Bull. In 1887. 
Mr. HoUingshead retired, Mr. Hill [Muchasing his 
interest and the firm style was changed to Bull k 
Hill, under which liusiness was ccniducted until 
July, 1890. when Jlr. lUill retired and the existing 
partnership between Messrs. Bell, Hill k K.ays wi;s 
formed. This house does an annual bnslne>s 
auKJunting to upwards of §250,00(1. and the mem- 
bers of the firm rank among the progressive and 
enterprising citizens of Milton. 

The sul)jc'ct of tins sketch, Henry C. Hill, was 
born in Norwalk. Huron County, Ohio, October .5, 
18-13, and is the son of Hazen H. ami Louisa E. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBITM. 



ino 



(Noilon) Hill. Ills father was born near Concord, 
N. H.. .luly 10, l,si;5, and was descended from an 
old New Kngland family. His mother was born in 
Rutland County. \l., .Iiinc 3, 1818, and was of 
Scotch descent. They were married in Huron 
Count}', Ohio, and had a family of seven children, 
six sons and one daughter. The sons are hU yet 
living. The f.-ither died December 19, 180.'). luit 
the mother survives and is still a resident of the 
old home in Ohio. 

Henry C. was reared on a farm and I'eceived such 
educational advantages as were afforded by the 
I'Oininou schools of that da^-. He w.as married .'Sep- 
tember 8, 1869. to Miss Phoebe A. Riggs, daugh- 
ter of Kdward and Mary Jane (Buck) Riggs, and 
the following April rtwnovrd with his ycning bride 
to Sullivan County, Mo., where he embarked in 
merchandising. He was engaged in business in 
.Scottsvillo, of that county for four years, and eight 
years at Browning, and his efforts were attended 
with a good degree of success. It was in 1882 that 
after selling out in Missouri he came to Milton, 
Iowa, where he engaged in mercantile pursuits with 
John C. Calhoun, they purchasing the trade and 
stock of John W. Carr. That connection contin- 
ued four years when the partnership was dissolved 
and Mr. Hill returned to his native State, but after 
a year spent in Ohio he again came to Iowa, in 
1887, and bought into the lumber and grain busi- 
ness with ^Ir. Bull. In connection with the mer- 
cantile business, during his residence in Mi.ssonri, 
he was extensively engaged as a dealer in live stock, 
and that branch of the Inisiness of the present firm 
is an important one. Mr. and Mrs. Hill have two 
children — Ilazen Henry, born August 26, 1870, in 
Scottsville, Mo., and Harry Wilford, born in 
Browning, Mo., July 16, 1875. Mr. Hill is a Re- 
publican in politics, and socially', a member of 
Jackson Lodge, No. 28. I. O. O. F. His wife holds 
membership in the Baptist Church. 

The war record of the subject of this sketch is as 
follows. On the IHlh of February. 186 I. he enlisted 
as a member of Comiiany C, Fifty-liflli Ohio Infan- 
try and served until the cessation of hostilities, be- 
ing discharged May 211, 1865. He participated in 
the battles of Hcsacn. New Hope Church, Kenesaw 
Mountain an<l the battles before Allnrita. and was 



with Gen. .Sherman in the celebrated march to the 
sea. He was also engaged in the Carolina cam- 
paigns and at the battle of Aberysborough. N. C. 
on the 16th of March, 1865, received a gun-shot 
wound through the left hip, which injured him 
severely-. After remaining .-i lime in the tield hos. 
pital he was removed to David's Island Hospital, 
from which he was discharged on the 2i)th of Ma}', 
following. 

Mr. Hill is an active, enterprising and successful 
business man and, willi his partners, has built up 
an extensive business in their line as the figures 
show. They handle annually from fifty thousand 
to sevent3--five thousand bushels of grain, and fiyo 
liundred thousand feet of lumber and a large 
ainounl of live stock, aggregating about a quarter 
of a milllion dollars in value. 



^ • >^ - < • 



Where. 
. . Bure 



ILLIAM EDMONDSON, deceased, is num- 
ed among the honored pioneers of \'an 
en Count}', of 1846. He was burn in 
Rockbridge County. Va., March .3, 1795, and was 
descL-nded from an old A'irginia family. Theda\s 
of his boyhood and youth were spent upon his 
father's farm and in his native State he was mar- 
ried, the l.'idy of his choice being Miss Mary B. 
McCutchan, daughter of William and Margaret 
McCulchan, and a native of Augusta Count}-, Va., 
born on the 27th of January. 181)5, of .Scotch and 
Irish descent. 

Mr. Kdmondson was a soldier in the United 
States Army during the War of 1812. Shortly af- 
ter his marriage, he removed with his bride to 
Henry County, Ind., where they resided until the 
spring of 1816, when they came to Iowa and set- 
tled in the northern i)art of Jackson Township, \'an 
Buren (-ounty. They traveled by team and en- 
dured all the hardships and disadvantages incident 
to the emigration to a new country. Unto this 
worthy couple were born five children, three sons 
and two daughters. Henry, the eldest, died .Sep- 
tember, 24, 1834; Sarah, died at the age of eight 



lUI 



I'OiriUAIT am:) lUOCHAIMIlCAI. AL15UM. 



vi'urs; Mary .1., is noiv the wife ol .1. C Hollanii.nl' 
.lackson Tonnsliip; .lolin C, married Maria Strain 
and resides upon the old homestead; William F., 
wedded Clara AVillinmson, the present Postmistress 
of Milton, and is now Cashier of the Citizens' Bank 
at that place. 

With the assistance of his sons, Mr. P'dmondson 
iinprovt^d a farm in Jackson Township, placinij un- 
der a high state of cultivation the land on which he 
settled and which in return yielded him :i tfolden 
tribute for his care and labor. lie was appointed 
Postmaster of the Oak Point post office, in Jackson 
Townsliip. the first established office in that town- 
ship; tieing the second to fill the position. He re- 
ceivefl his commission in 1856, and his term of 
service continued ten years or until he was called 
to Ills final rest on the 13th of October, 1866. On 
the death of Mr. Kdmondson,his son, John C, suc- 
ceeded to the post-olfice, which he held five years 
and in turn he was succeeded by the youngest son, 
William F., who held the position ten years, so that 
the office was in the family for a quarter of a cen- 
tury. 

In early life.Mr. Edniondson was a Whij^ and af- 
ter the dissolution of that party became a Demo- 
crat. Both he and his wife were members of the 
Presbyterian Church and lived upright and faith- 
ful lives. Mrs. Kdmondson survived her husband 
many years, dying on the 27lh of January, 1886, 
on her eisrhty-first birthday. Both were highly re- 
spected and useful members of society. 



**^*" ■^t>r^««^>«5tf^^«fe- 



(OSEPII GRAHAM, of the firm of Risk A 
Graham, merchants of Birmingham, Van 
Huren County, is a native of Ohio, and his 
parents,Jo8eph and Mary (Glover) Graham. 
WLie natives of Virginia and Pennsylvania respect- 
ively. Durinj,^ the days of youth and maidenhood, 
they emigrated to Ohio where they were married 
and where was born unto them a family of eight 
children, six of whom are yet living. Josei)h is 
the sixtli in order of birth, and was but ten years 



of age at the time of his mother's death. His 
father subsequently married again and emigrated 
to Van Buren County, Iowa, in 1849, locating nine 
miles west of Birmingham, from which farm liene- 
raoved after two years to one adjoining the city 
limits. Throughout his entire life he engaged in 
agricultural pursuits. He enlisted in the War of 
1812, but peace was declared before his regiment 
was called into .iction. In political sentiment, he 
was first a Whig and later a Republican and both 
he and his wife were members of the Jleth'/dist 
Episcopal Church until late in life, when he joined 
the Free Methodists. 

The birth of our subject oocurred in Noble 
County, Ohio, April 21,1832, and in his native 
State engaged in farm labor, he was reared to man- 
hood. Like thousands of others his educational 
advantfiges were limited to those of the district 
schools, but reading and observation in .after life 
have made him a well-informed man. He gave his 
service to his father until bo was twont\-five years 
of age and in the years which have followed has 
gained his entire property. On the 30th of October, 
1856, he was united in raarringe with Miss Mar- 
garet Walter, a native of Barbour County, W. Va., 
born in September. 1835. She came to Van Buren 
County. Iowa, with her parents in 1854, and their 
union w,as blessed with four children, of whom, the 
eldest, George W., died at the age of twenty-two 
years, while Letitia V., the youngest, died in in- 
fancy; Elmer E., is master of the Union Depot at 
Minneapolis, Minn.; and James H. is a sales- 
man for Risk & HufstedIer,of Fairfield. The mother 
of this family, a consistent member of the Free 
Methodist Church and a lady possessing many ex- 
cellencies of character, died December 22, 1877. 
On the 2nd of December, 1880, Mr. Graham wed- 
ded Olivia L. Norcross, a native of Wisconsin. 

The business history of our subject is as follows: 
On starting out in life for himself he engaged in 
operating a saw mill, Benjamin Casncr being asso- 
ciated with him as his partner for three years. Sub- 
sequently he was engaged in running the engine 
and the saw for the Birmingham mill, when, in 
November, 1870, lie entered the employ of C. C. 
Risk as a salesman in his large general store at Bir- 
mingham,who placed the entire charge of the busi- 



PORIRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Ill 



iiess in his hands. For nine years he served in 

Ih.it cnpaoil}' when lie was adiiiittcl In iiartncisliip, 
a relation wliifli has contimicil for eleven consec- 
utive years witli good fecliny on holli sides, while 
from a fiiianci;d staiidpninl it lias also !)een a suc- 
ccsf. In connection with his interest in the busi- 
ness, Mr. Graham is also the owner of ei;flity acres 
of land, comprised in the old lionieslead. He may 
truly be called a self-made man. who by his own 
efforts has gained a comfortable competence for 
which he deserves no little credit. Asa supporter 
of the Republican parly, for many years he cast his 
ballot Imt in later years has identified himself with 
the Prohibi Jonists. He lias been honored with the | 
offices of Mayor and Councilman of Birminijham, 
which he filled with credit to himself and satisfac- 
tion to his constituents. Mr. and Mrs. Graham are 
members of the Free Methodist Church, in which 
he luilds the office of Trustee, and in the Sunday- 
school he serves as Superintendent. His public 
and private life arc alike above reproach, com- 
mending him to the conlidence of all with whom 
he comes in contact. The home of himself and his 
w(jrthy wife is noted for its hospitality and their 
friends in the community are man}-. 



€E^S3i-^a^ii 



F^RANKLIN P. MOWKUV. an intelligent 
lli^^ and progressive farmer and stock-raiser of 
/I ^ Jefferson County, resides on section 30, 
Polk Township, and is a representative of one 
of the highly respected families of the comn)iinit\ . 
His parents:, David and Sarali (Dial) Mowery, were 
natives of Ohio, where their marriage was celebrated 
and whence they came to Jefferson County in 
184.'j. Mr. Mowery settled upon the farm in 
Polk Township, where our subject now resides, and 
entered four hundred acres of land, which farm he 
afterwartis incrt.ased by subsequent jjurchase. He 
was well pleased with his new home in the West 
anil continued here to live until life's journey was 
ended. He passed away in 1877, and his wife died 
in 1886. He faithfully discharged all his duties of 



citizenship, lived an upright and useful life, and it 
was therefore an occasion of deep regret on the 
part of many friends when the news of his death 
reached them. 

1'". P. Mowery, whose name heads this sketch, 
was the tenth in order of birth in a family of 
twelve children. He was liberally educated, his 
piiniaiy course of training being supplemented by 
two years attendance at the Axline Academy, of 
Fairfield, and a two years course in the Iowa 
Business and .Normal College, of Des Moines. For 
some eighteen months he tiien engaged in real- 
estate dealing in Des Moines, but at the end of that 
time returned to Jefferson County and resumed the 
occupation to which he had been reared. In 1877, 
he led to the marri?ge altar Miss Cora Kirby. 
The lady was liorn in Warren County, II!.. and is a 
daughter of .bilin and Anna (Oshorn) Kirby, who 
removed from Illinois to Jefferson County. Iowa, 
in 1870. For some time they made their h()iiic in 
Polk Township, but are now residents of Fairfield. 
Mr. Kirby was born in Pennsylvania, and in 
Illinois, in 1856, wedded Miss Osborn, who was a 
native of the Empire State, whence she had 
removed to Illinois with her parents in girlhood. 
To Mr. an'l Mrs. Mowery have been born four 
children — Gayhjrd, Paul, Carrie and Earl, and tiie 
family circle yet remains unbroken. 

This worth)' conitle began their domestic life 
upon the farm on which they still make their 
home. It now coni|)rises two hundred and seven 
.acres, divided into Celds of convenient size which 
are well kept and improved. In the barns are 
found some fine specimens of Kentucky Short-horn 
cattle, of wbicli be makes a specialty, together with 
other good grades of stock. The secret of his 
success in life is contained in the one short word, 
work. He is now numbered among the subsl.mtial 
citizens of the comnuinity, possessing a competence 
which furnishes him with all the comforts of life, 
too^ether with many of its luxuries. He lakes 
an active interest in political affairs and on ques- 
tions of n.ational importance casts his ballot >vitli 
the Democratic party, but at local elections his 
sup]iort is given to the man whom he thinks 
will best fill the position. He has served both as 
Ticisurer and Secretary of the School Board, and 



41-2 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAIMIICAL ALBUM. 



has iloiie not n liltlf for Hip advancement of the 
c-aiiso of ctliic-ation in lliis foiinniinity. He is an 
honored member of both I'.ie Odd Fellows society 
and Masonic fraternity, belonging to Abingdon 
l.od^ie. No. 40K, I. O. (). F., of which he has been 
Commander and Inside Guard, and also belongs to 
Abingdon Lodge. No. 104, A. F. and A. M., 
of which he is now Secretary. He and his wife 
hold a high position in tiie social world due to 
their worth and intelligence, and are ])eople whom 
any cominniiily might be proud to claim as 
citizens. 



^;3£KV 



AMES A. FOWLKlv. a seif-m.ndc man and 
highly respected citizen of N'an Buren 
County, owns two hundred and seventeen 
Is/ and one-half .icres of the fine farming land 
of Southeastern Iowa. His home farm comprises 
one hundred and fifty seven and one-half acres on 
section 9, Vernon Township, while a quarter section 
of land in Henry Township also pays to him a 
golden tribute. His parents, Henry and Mary 
(Moore) Fowler, are numbered among the pioneers 
of \'an Buren County. In 1843 they made a set- 
tlement near Bonaparte, but shortly afterwards the 
f.-illier was drowned in the Des Moines River dur- 
ing a flood, being carried over the dam near Bona- 
parte. His wife survived him about ten years, 
when she too was called to her final rest. In their 
family were five children, but only three of the 
number grew to mature years: Catherine, wife of 
Thomas Minsliall, of Huston County-, Minn.; l.u- 
cretia, deceased wife of .Joseph UoflPelenge; and 
.lames A., of this sketch. 

Our subject w.as born in Indiana in 1842, and at 
the age of twelve years was left an orphan. Two 
years later he began life for himself as a farm 
hand, working in that capacity for about seven 
years or until the fall of 1862, when he responded 
to his country's call for troops, enlisting on the 
loth of September, as a member of Conipany D, 



Thirtieth Iowa Infantry, under Capt. Charles J. 
McGinnis. He was mustered into service at Keo- 
kuk and the regiment was assigned to the First 
Division, Fifteenth Cor|)s of the Army of the 
Tennessee. After spending a few weeks at Benton 
Barracks, Mo., the troops were sent down the Jlis- 
sissippi River to Helena, Ark , where for the first 
time Mr. F'owler was surrounded bj' the leaden 
hail and became acquainted with the horrors of 
war. Afterwards he p.irliciiiated in the Black River 
expedition and with his regiment took part in many 
of the famous and hard fought battles of the war, 
including the engagements at \'icksburg, .Jackson. 
Miss., Arkansas Post, Big Black River, the .seige 
of A'icUsburg, the battles of Port Hudson, Little 
Rock, Ark., Brownville, Miss., Dalton, Ga., Chat- 
tanooga, Tenn., Cane Creek, Ala., Lookout Moun- 
tain, Mission Ridge, Ringgold, Ga., Kenesaw 
Mountain, Lone Mountain, Buzzard's Roost, Taylor 
Ridge, Ga., Decatur, Ala., Resaca, and Dallas, Ga., 
the battle of iS'ew Hope Churylr, Marietta, Big 
Shanty, the two battles of Atlanta, .Jonesboro, 
Griswoldville and the seige of Savannah. He ac- 
companied Gen. .Sherman on the celebrated March 
to the Sea, and then returned particip.ating in the 
Carolina camiiaign to Richmond, Yn. At Resaca 
he received a gunshot wound in the left leg just 
above the ankle joint, but as he was color-bearer 
of his regiment he remained at his post and car- 
ried the banner forward to victory. His service 
was an arduous one, in which he encountered great 
risks but he was ever found at his post of dut^', 
valiantly defending the old fiag but at the close of 
the war be was honorably discharged and was mus- 
tered out in Washington, D. C, on the otli of .Tune, 
186.5. 

When his country no longer needed his services, 
Mr. Fowler returned to his home and once more 
engaged in work as a farm hand. In 18G7, he was 
united in mairiage with Miss Amanda Perkins, 
daughtei- of William and Mary (M^'ers) Perkins. 
They have two children, a son and daughter: Will- 
iam, who is married and operates his father's farm 
in Vernon Township; and Anna M., at home, and 
Bertha, who died when about five 3ears old Mr. 
Fowler purchased and moved to his farm in ^■ernon 
Township in the spring of 1874. It comprises 



♦ PORTRAIT AND mOCRAPIIICAL ALBUM. 



413 



one hur.rlred anil fifty-seven ami oiie-h.aif acres 
Miulei' a liii^li state of eultuatinn Iml in a short 
time lie expcets to leniovc to his farm in Henry 
Townsliip. He is a ie|)iesentative farmer of the 
comnHiiiity "iio lliorouiilily understands liis busi- 
ness in all its details and as a result of good uiau- 
a,!;eraent. industry and perseveranee lie lias now a 
comfortable conipeteiioe. He eertainly deserves 
great ereilit (or his success ami may truly be called 
a self-made man. Keginning life for himself at a 
tender age he steadily worked bis way upward, 
overcoming the dilliculties and obstacles which la^- 
in his path. In political sentiment Mr. Fowler is 
A Republican iind taltes an active interest in the 
growth and success of his |)arty. He has been 
honored with a number of local offices, held the 
position of Assessor for five consecutive years, 
served as Township Trustee and for the past live 
ye.'irs has been a member of the County Bciard 
of Supervisors. He always attends the county 
conventions of his county as a delegate and his 
opinions carry weight with them in those assem- 
blies. He is a member of Shriver Post, G. A. R. 
of Keosauipia, and is a member of the Ma- 
sonic and Olid Fellows societies. He contri- 
butes liberally to the support of churches and 
charitable and benevclent institutions, and has al- 
ways taken an active part in everything pertaining 
to the community and its best interests. Hothhe 
and his wife and daughter are members of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, of Jit. Sterling and 
have lived consistent Christian lives. 



^^S^^ 



^^ORTKR PLEASANT.'^ is the senior member 
of the hardware firm of P. J; R. AV. Pleas- 
ants. In presenting his sketch to the readers 
of the Ar.iUM, we record the life work of 
one of Birmingham's most enterprising citizens, 
whose business industry and energy have done not 
a little for the upbuilding of the city. 

The Pleasants family is of English extraction 
aud was founded in America (luring the early tl.ays 



of Virginian history. The Goff family, from 
which our subject is descended on the maternal 
side, was one of the early families of Mass.achusetts 
and had its representatives in the Kevolutioriary 
War. The gun which the great-grandfather of 
our subject carried during that struggle is now in 
possession of Charles C. Pleasants, father of Porter, 
and is one of ilie cherished relics of the family. 

Mr. Pleasants is a Bostonian by birth, the date 
of his arrival in that city being 1812. When he 
was ten years of age, he was left an orphan and 
soon afterward was bound out to learn the ship 
carpenter's trade. With the son of his "boss," 
who was captain of a vessel, he went to sea, and 
believing th.at he was able to look after his own 
alTairs, he left his master and for twelve years con- 
tinued to follow that life. He arose to the position 
of mate, but not having education enough to permit 
further advancement, he left the ocean and worked 
at his trade on the Eric Canal. In Seneca County, 
N. v., he married Miss Sarah A. GofT, who w.ns 
born in that county in 1818. Believing that it 
would be for the interests of his family to make a 
home in the West, in. 1 85.5, he came to Van Buren 
County and for a time kept a iiot^l in IJirraingham. 
Twenty-two years later he and his sons opened a 
hardware store in Birmingham which has been 
carried on by the family continuously since. In 
1882, Porter and Richard W. became sole proprie- 
tors and are still the o.vners of the establishment. 
Ill the family were six children: George W., a 
ranchman and teacher of California; Porter, 
whose name heads this sketch; Charles II., a resi- 
dent farmer, of Prown County, South Dak.; Elea- 
nora. wife of G. B. Sapp of Illinois; Frances M.. 
wife of Robert Fee. of California; and Richard W., 
Charles H. served two 3ears In the late war as a 
member of the Fifth Iowa Infantry. 

To return to the histor3' of our subject. He 
was born in Senec.i County. N. Y., on the 2.')lh o( 
March, 1813, and wjis twelve years of age when he 
accomi)anied the family to the then far western 
stale of Iowa. Four^-ears later he w:us a|)preiitice(t 
to learn the cabinet trade but ere the completion 
of his term of service he enlisted for the late war, 
bcccniiiiga memtier of Company H, Fifth Iowa In- 
fantry, the first company that went from Binning. 



II I 



rOKTKAlT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



ham, ill .Inly, IMl. A fiei- operating under Fre- 
mont in Missouri, witli Pope, the troops went to 
tlie capture of New MudriU and wLen that was 
accomplished proceeded up the Tennessee River to 
the siege of Curinth. where he was .stationed during 
a greater part of ilie summer. Receiving his dif- 
charr;e in Deceinher. 1862, at (Jiiincy. III., Mr. 
Pleasants returned to his home and linished learn- 
ing his trade in Fairfield, after which he spent a 
year working at the same in Hannibal, Mo. In 
1865, he crossed the plains to California, reaching 
after five months of travel, Virginia City, Nev., 
where he carried on operations as a millwright for 
aliuut four years. In the meantime, the Pacific 
Railroad was constructed, and in 1869 he returned 
to Iowa Ijy rail, hut after a few months spent at 
home again traveled, but this time his course laid 
southward. He found work in i>iew Orleans very 
(•(•arce and soon the supply of means whidi he and 
his friend had brought with them was exhausted. 
lUii still no work. .Mr. Pleasants then pawned 
.<onie of his clothes, but the money thus obtained 
was also spent before work was secured. As tbej' 
saw no opportunity for securing work at their 
trade, they siioveled dirt on the levee for a few 
(I:iys and then started for Jackson, Miss., making 
the entile distance one hundred and fifty miles, on 
foot. There occurred a change in his fortune and 
his efforts to secure employment were at last met 
with success. He erected a number of sawmills 
an<l became superintendent of the maehinerj' in a 
planing mill. 

It was also in the South, that on Christmas Day 
of 1870, Mr. Pleasants was joined in wedlock with 
Miss Sarah Warner, who was born near Jackson, 
Miss., December 13, 1848. In 1872, they returned 
to Birmingham but soon afterwards went to Jack- 
sonville, III., Mr. Pleasants ho|)ing thereby to regain 
his health. In 1873, lie went to Hannibal, Mo., 
where he followed his trade for a short time and 
in June we find him in St. Louis, where he re- 
maiiie<l until December, 1881. Again coming to 
Hii'uiingham, he then became a partner in the 
hardware store of which he is now senior proprie- 
tor. His father was for some time a jjart owner 
but in 1882, the business was turned over to him- 
self and brother, Richard W. The latter was boru 



in Birmingham, September 12, 1859, and was 
reared and educated in the city schools. He entered 
the business in February, 1878, and with the ex- 
ception of about two months lias always been found 
behind tlie counter, strictly attending to the inter- 
ests of the store. The firm of Pleasants Bros, is 
composed of two of the leading business men of 
Birmingham and the excellent trade which has 
come to tliom is justly merited. The senior partner 
is also a director in and secretaiy and superinten- 
dent of the Birmingham Butter and Cheese Manu- 
facturing Company. He is a Repulilican in politics 
but Richard is a Democrat. The former has been 
honored with the office of Maj'or of Birmingham, 
to which he was four times elected, and the latter 
has served .as Councilman. Mrs. Pleasants is a 
member of the Christian Church and Mr. Pleasants 
holds membership with the Grand Army of the 
Republic. With no rich relatives or influential 
friends to aid him, be started out on foot from 
Birmingham after the war, with a capital of ^1.60 
in his pocket. Many discouragements and difficul- 
ties were encountered by him but pressing forward 
with indomitable energy and determined will he at 
length reached the goal of success. It takes push 
and thrift to succeed in this world, and when we 
know under what obstacles Mr. Pleasants labored 
we see that he must have had an abundance of 
those elements essential to prosperity. 




,/RANK O. DANIKLSON. a leading farmer 
residing on section 21, Lockridge Town- 
ship, and one of the representatives of that 
worthy Swedish colony that emigrated to America 
in 1845, making a settlement in Jefferson County, 
Iowa, was born in Kisa County, Sweden, SeiJtcinber 
13, 1839. His father, John Danielson, was boni in 
Hyklinge County, Sweden, August 25, 1799, and 
his mother, whose maiden name was Elizabeth 
Anderson, was born in the same neighborhood 
August 18, 1792. For many years he was foreman 
of a large farm — Foliugso, and later he operated a, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



415 



mill. He was an influential citizen who was ever 
fdiiiiil (in the side of right anil stood high in his 
coiniiuiMily. After coming to this eonnlry he de- 
voted himself to agriciiltnral pursuits. In their 
earlier years botli he and his wife were members of 
the Lutheran C'iiureh, but after coming to America 
accepted the doctrines of the .Methodist C'luireh. 
In politics, he was first a Whig and later a Republi- 
can and in the social ami business world he ranked 
high. His death occurred on the 8tli of Novembei-, 
1884, and his wife passed away August 31, 1885. 
In their family were tivc children — lohn A., who 
eidisted in Company H, Fifteenth Iowa Infantry, as 
a private, rose to the rank of Captain and was 
wound'-d at the battle of Shiloh from the effects of 
which he died ; A. N'ictordied at the age of twenty- 
five years; Maria A. is the wife of Ward Lamson.of 
Fairfield; and IMatilda S. is t!ie wife of John 
Stephenson who resides in Lockridge Township. 
The fifth member of the family. Frank (). Daniol- 
son. received very limited educational advantages 
in his youth but by his own efforts has acquired a 
good practical knowledge. He was quite young, a 
lad of but six summers, when the family crossed 
the Atlantic to seek a home in the New \Vorld. He 
was therefore reared in Jefferson County and re- 
mained at home until ISo'J. when he went to Harri- 
son where he earned his first money. While there, 
the Civil War broke out and taking up the cause of 
the UnioTi, on the "ind of July, l.Sfil. he eidisled in 
Company B, Fourth Iowa Infantry. He shared in 
a number of important engagements including the 
battles of I'ea Ridge. Arkansas Post. Vicksburg, 
the two battles of J.ackson, the engagement at 
Lookout Mountain, .Missionary Ridge. White Oak 
Hill«, Resaca. luka, the capture of Atlanta and the 
battles of Jonesboro, where lie received his dis- 
charge on September -i*. 1 864, after a service of over 
three years. .\t the battle of Cherokee .Station, he 
receivei) a slight wound but was otherwise unin- 
jured and returned to his home with the conscious- 
ness of having faithfully performe(l liis duty in 
everj' instance at the hazard of his life. 

On being mustered out of service, Mr. Danielson 
returned to Jefferson County and on the 2ud of 
September, I8G6, was united in marriage wiili Mrs. 
Matilda M. Peterson, daughter of Peter and Cath- 



erine (Anderson) Cassel. She was born in Kisa 
County, fiweden, January 27, 18IM, and by her 
former marriage had two children but lost one in 
infancy. The surviving rlanghtcr,'Henrietta, is now 
the wife of Rev. N. G. Nelson, of Seattle, Wash. 
To Mr. and Mrs. Danielson was born a daughter — 
Delia K. who died at the age of nine' years. The 
parents are of the Methodist faith and in the church 
to which the}' belong areactive workers. Casting 
his first Presidential vote for Douglas, Mr. Daniel- 
son continued to nflili.ite with the Democratic part}' 
until during the war, when he changed his views 
and li.as since been a stanch advocate of Republican 
|U-inciples. He is now in comfortable circumstances, 
owning a good farm of one hundred and ninety- 
five acres as the result of his own efforts. Practical 
yet progressive, he is ready to accept any tested im- 
provement and about his home is found all the 
accessories necessary to a model farm of the nine- 
teenth eentur}-. His value as"_a citizen is unques- 
tioned and therefore he merits a representation in 
this volume. 



'*^^^W^^^ 



ifjACOB WALMER, deceased, is numbered 
among the honored pioneers of Fairfield 
Township, Jefferson County, where from the 
lime of his settlement in 1849, until his 
death on the otli of J.anuary, 1863, he labored 
earnestly for the interests of his family and the 
community, doing all in his power for the promo- 
tion of public enterprises and tlie advancement of 
the general welfare. Mr. Walmer w.as born in 
Dauphin County, Pa., in IT'.iT, and was a son of 
Gcoige Walmer. He was reared to farm life and 
in his native State in 1820, wxs united in nnirriage 
with Miss Sarah Shone, a daughter of Henry Shoue. 
She was born in Dauphin County, in 1807, and after 
their marriage they removed to Wayne County, 
Ohio, settling near Woostcr, where they resided 
from 1823 until their emigration in May. 1819. 
to Jefferson County, Iowa. 

The union of .Mr. and .Mrs. AVahner w;is blessed 



416 



PORTRAIT AND HIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



with a family of tliirteon chiWVen, six sons and 
seven daiiglilers and of Ihal number seven grew to 
niatuie \ears, namely: Mary, wife of .laeob Pon- 
tius of Wayne County, Oliio; Eliza, who is the 
widow of Abraham Wolf and a resident of Mon- 
tana; Martha, wife of Knooh Gable, a resident of 
Lancaster County. Neh.; Catiicrine,wife of William 
Gift who is livinii in Wapello County, near Ot- 
tiimwa. Iowa; Daniel, who wediled Mary Duncan 
and after her death married Susanna C. Whitson, 
is a representative farmer of Fairfield Township; 
.loscph married Lizzie I'alterson and is living in 
Cedar Township; Anthony Wayne, who was born 
in Iowa, married .lennie Canilin and is living in 
Ilolriilge. Neb. 

During his residence in Jefferson County, Mr. 
Walmer made farming his occupation and at the 
time of his death owned three hundrc<l and thirteen 
acres of good land. His wife long survived him 
and died on November 5,' 1886. Both were faith- 
ful members of the Lutheran Church and were 
earnest workers in the Master's vine3'ard, doing all 
in tlieir power to promote the cause of Christianity 
on earth. Mr. Walmer in 1860 cast his ballot for 
President Lincoln and continued a sup|)orter of 
thai party until his deatli. He was industrious and 
energetic, .an honoral)le and upright man and all 
who knew him resjjected him for his many excel- 
lencies of character. 



^ 



z^ 



f 



^•/OIIN G. PETERSON, one of the extensive 
I landowners and successful farmers of Van 
1 Buren County, resides on section 34, Jack- 
' son Township. With only one hundred and 
twenty acres of raw land with which to begin 
life, he has ad<Ied to his capital, and just as the 
result of his thrift and enterprise seven hundred 
and sixty acres of arable land now pay tribute to 
his care and cultivation. 

The Peterson family is of Holland extraction 
and was founded in America during Colonial days 
by the great-grandfather of our subject, who set- 
tled in New Jersey. He was one of the first to 



cross the Blue Ridge Mountains and made a loca- 
tion at Cincinnati, Ohio, when that city was com- 
posed of only a few log huts. The father of our 
subject, Ralph Peterson, was born in Adams Count\'. 
Ohio, in 1808, and after attaining to mature years, 
in 1829, wedded Miss Mary Groves, who was left 
an orphan during her infancy. Tlun- continued to 
reside in the Buckeye State until 1835, when they 
became residents of Indiana, and in 183y the^' lo- 
cated in Van Burcn County, Iowa, where Mr. 
Peterson purchased one hundred and sixty acres of 
raw land. At the time of his death he was the 
owner of a fine farm of two hundred and twenty 
acres, and to all of his children he had given either 
money or land in order to furnish them with a 
good start in life. Ilis death occurred in 1888, at 
the age of nearly eighty years, and his wife died 
in 1885. They were the parents of tv.elve chil- 
dren, three of whom died in infancy and two 
daughters in mature life. The rest of those who 
grew to mature years are still living, but the fam- 
ily is now widely scattered. Five brothers — Jacob 
R., William IL, George A., Ralph B. and Edward 
A. are living in Siiriidc County, S. D., near North- 
ville. 

John G. Peterson was born May 31. 1831. and 
is a representative of one of the pioneer families 
of Van Buren Count}-. The date of their ar- 
rival was October 12, 1839, and the}' settled upon 
a farm four miles south of Keosauqua, where our 
subject w.as reared to manhood. On attaining to 
mature years he left the parental roof and started 
out in life for himself, his capital, as before stated, 
being one hundred and twenty acres of raw prairie 
land. With characteristic energy- he improved 
this tract, transforming it into rich and fertile 
fields, and as his financial resources increased he 
made other judicious purchases from time to time, 
until his possessions now aggregate seven hundred 
and sixty acres. In addition to the cultivation of 
his farm, he is engaged in feeding cattle for the 
market, which branch of industrj' also yields him 
a good income. ^Ir. Peterson is a sagacious and 
far-sighted business man, and the success whicli 
has attended his etTorts is the res\ilt of his own 
thrift, perseverance and good management, sup- 
plemented by correct business principles. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALRUM. 



4r 



In \M2 Mr. Peterson was uiiitcil in innrnage 
with Mary Jane Cre.illi, bnl after a sIkjiI wedded 
life of live years she was called to her final rest, 
dying in liSoT. He was again married, in 1859, to 
Margaret E. Sttinple, who was born in ISlfi. One 
child graces their union — Jennie, wife of Frank P. 
Blanchard, and has two children, Beulaii and John 
G. In politics Mr. Petertion is a Kepublican and 
has served ns Assessor but has never sought public 
office, preferring to devote his time and attention 
to his business interests, in which he has certainly 
met with excellent success. Without displa3'ing 
egotism, he may justly be proud of his business 
career. 



-^ 



Vt/AMES BESWICK, Jr., is a representative 
farmer of Union Township, ^'an Buren 
Count}', residing ou section 26. For forty 
years he has been identified with the growtii 
and progress of this community and has borne no 
inconsiderable part in the .idvanceraent of its 
wortiiy enterprises. He is now one of the heaviest 
tax payers in the township, but no comi)laint is 
heard from liim as he feels it his duty to aid in the 
promotion of the interests of the county. His 
early life however, was not passed amid prosperous 
surroundings. He was born ou a farm in W.ish- 
ington Count}', Ohio, March 13, 1832, was reared 
to manhood under the parental roof and in the old 
log sciioolhouse common at that day familiarized 
himself with the English branches. He was a 
young man of eighteen years, when in 1850, the 
f;imily came to Van Buren County, Iowa. On 
attaining his majority he iiired out to his father 
for whom he had hitherto worked without compen- 
sation, as a dutiful son, repaying in a measure the 
care and attention which he had received in his 
youth. Knowing that he would wish to begin 
to make something for himself, his father then 
offered him ^100 per year and his clothes. The 
offer was accepted and for some time he aided 
jn the operation of the home farm. 

On the 21sl of October, 1858, Mr. Beswick was 



joined in wedlock with Mary E. Whittlesey, a 
native of Ohio, born August 18. 18 10. They be- 
came parents of four children — Agnes V., now 
tiie wife of C. R. Johnson ; Alice M., wife of 
Stephen Johnson ; Wilson S. who died at the age 
of sixteen years ; and Lena R., wife of .lulius 
>?ixon. The mother of these children died on 
the 4th of Septeniber, 18G8, and November 25, 
18G9. Mr. Beswick led to the marriage altar 
Miss Viola Racer, who was born in Washington 
County, Ohio, September 0, 1849, and at the 
age of eighteen years came to Van Buren County. 
Two children grace their union — W. Lloyd and 
Worthy D. who are still with their parents. 

Mr. Beswick and his wife are members of the 
Baptist Church, and in the social world are held 
in high regard. The Beswick household is noted 
for its hospitality and the members of the family 
have many friends. The husband and father has 
prospered in his business life, possessing the ability, 
energy and thrift which insures success. His 
father gave to hira eighty acres of raw prairie 
land and in payment for a year's labors twenty 
acres of timber. This he placed under develop- 
ment but after a time sold out and removed to 
W.ayne County, Iowa, where he entered one hun- 
dred and sixt}' acres of land which he afterwards 
traded for eighty acres in Cedar Township, Van 
Buren County. In 1863, he made inirchasc of his 
present farm, a finely improved and fertile tract of 
two hundred acres. He has bought and sold a 
considerable amount of land at various intervals, 
his iwssessions now aggregating six hundred and 
eighty-eight acres. His home is one of the finest 
residences in the community and is surrounded by 
four good barns, which in turn lie in the midst of 
broad and well cultivated fields. He also engages 
quite extensively in raising fine stock and has re- 
ceived many premiums on the same at the county 
fairs. He also took a premium on a mule at the 
first State Fair with Dr. J. N. Norris as judge. For 
eight years he served as trustee of the Van Buren 
County Fair Association, and (luring the whole 
time in which the county has held these annual ex- 
hibitions he has failed to attend only two. He 
cast his first Presidential vote for Buchanan and 
has since supported the Democratic part}'. He 



•118 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



takes eonsiflenilile interest in political affairs, but 
has never soii^'lil [jublio preferment for liimself. 
Mr. Beswick is an enterprisin<r, progressive citizen 
wlio lias wun tlie good will and respect of his 
neighbors and acquaintances. 



.-J»<5*.^3»»i^^5^tfitf-.«i.S-. 



^ij AMl'KL C'ARR. resides on soclion 22, Polk 
Township, Jefferson County-. He is one 




of the few survivors among the earl^' set- 
tlers of 1840, one of the few left to tell 
the story of pioneer life with its hardships and 
trials, its excitements and its pleasures. In a half 
century great changes have taken idace, leaving 
few of the old landmarks of that early day and the 
wonderful transformation has brought froiu an un- 
inhabited wilderness a county ijeopled with an in- 
telligent and enterprising class of citizens who are 
supplied with all the comforts and conveniences 
known to civilized life. In the pioneer times one 
had to go to Burlington or Keokuk to market and 
to the l)es Moines River to mill. The roads were 
often almost impassable, the farm machinery was 
crude, traveling was done by stage or in private 
conveyances, and log cabins were the homes of the 
settlers, but now we have the latest improved agri- 
cultural im[)lenients, lines of railroad cross and 
recross the county and the pioneer homes have 
long since given place to commodious and tasty 
farm residences and elegant city mansions. A v.ast 
outlay of time and labor has been expended to 
bring about this result, the greater part of which 
has been borne by the pioneers, among whom is 
Samuel C'arr. In all works for the upbuilding of 
the county's interests, he has faithfully performed 
his share and deserves no little credit for the same. 
Mr. Carr is a native of Ohio and the fourth in a 
family of nine children. He was born in Fayette 
County, in 1825, his parents being Jahu and Sarah 
(Foltz) Ciirr, who were born in Virginia. Their 
removal to Jefferson County occurred in 1810 and 
Fairtield Tovvnship was chosen as a favorable loca- 
tion, but after I'oui years tliev removed to Polk 



Township. In 1849, they went to Missouri, but 
after three years returned to Fulton County, Inrt., 
where he engaged in farming until 1870, in which 
year we again lind him in Jefferson County. He 
afterward made a visit to Oregon, and died there 
in 1876. His wife had long since passed aw.ay. her 
ileath having occurred in Ohio, in 1838, at an early 
age. Of their family, Reuben died in Indiana, in 
1885, leaving a wife and children; Philip is married 
and resides in Ohio; John died in Indiana; .Samuel 
is the next3'ounger; Mar}- died in Indiana in 1880; 
and I'^lizabeth is now Mrs. Mitchell, of Davenport, 
Iowa; James is married and resides in Indiana; 
Jahu died in this county in 18(J0; and Sarah is now 
Mrs. Ornduff of Oregon. 

Our subject passed his early boyhood days in his 
native State, being in his lifleenlh year when he 
accompanied his parents on their emigration to the 
Territory of Iowa. He assisted in opening up and 
clearing the farm and shared in the hardships and 
disadvantages incident to life on the frontier. He 
began life for himself as a farm laborer and con- 
tinued working by the month until twentyfive 
years of age, when in 1850, he was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Martha Smales, a native of Illinois. 
Her father, John Smales, was born in Virginia, but 
her mother. Mrs. Sarah Snmles, was born in Illi- 
nois, where her death also occurred. The father 
afterwards came to Iowa and died in Wapello 
Countj', in 1875. Into Mr. and Jlrs. Carr were 
born seven children and of the five livinii', William 
is the eldest; Harvey is married and resides in Polk 
Township; .Sarah is now Mrs. Downey of Black 
Hawk Township; Nellie and John are still at home. 

Mr. Carr began operations for himself on rented 
land in Locust Grove Township, but after five 
years he had saved a sulticient sum to make an 
investment and in 1861, purchased sixty-one acres, 
forty of which h;ul been liroken. He improved it 
and placed it under a high state of cultivation but 
in 1875 sold and purchased an improved farm of 
one hundred and forty .acres, his present home. 
Among other improvements which he has made is 
a comfortable residence which he erected at a cost 
of ^'liOO. He has also extended the boundaries 
of his farm until now he reaps the harvest from 
one hundred and eighty acres, which being highly 



II 




1 



BENJAMIN KETCHAM. 




MRS. KETCHAM. 



m 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



423 



cultivated yiehl a ready ri'tuin. He also raises a 
good grade of slock and aUojretlier his career lias 
been a prosiierous one. In political sentiment, he 
is a Republican and has served as a memlier of the 
Scluftil Board. Fniiiality and industry have charac- 
terized his life work and the cajjital with which he 
embarked in busiocss was health and energy. He 
is now a lendinii; farmer as well as a respected citi- 
zen and honored pioneer of .IctTerson County. 



.S^^^^,..^^ 



I ENJAMIN KETCHAM. who resides on sec- 
tion 1, Bonaparte Township, is one of the 
lf©)J extensive landowners and prominent farm- 
^s^^ ers of Van Buren County, and is also con- 
nected with the banking interests of Bonaparte as 
a Director of the Farmers' & Traders' Bank. As 
lie is widel}' known, his sketch will be of interest to 
many of our readers. Alleghenj' Count}', Pa., was 
the place of his birth. and on the liUli of Decenibtr, 
18"29, he first opened his eyes to the light of day. 
His parents weie .loci and Elizabeth Kctcham, both' 
natives of Allegheny County. Pa. Theii- marriage 
was celebrated in Allegheny County, Pa., and unto 
them were born nine ciiildren, of whom our sulijcct 
is the eldest: Elizabeth became the wife of William 
Peterson, and after bis deatli. which occurred in 
Pennsylvania, she came to Fairfield, Iowa, where 
her last days w^ere spent; John, who married Belle 
Dunnington. is living in Macon County, Mo.; Will- 
iam who wedded JCancy Hammond, is engaged in 
fruit growing in Orange County, Fla.; Margaret 
makes her home in F^airfield: Belle died some years 
ago; Mattic and Frank died in Pennsylvania, and 
Sadie mariied Dr. Dunnnington and died in Penn- 
sylvania. The father of this family was a man of 
intelligence, whose mental capacities were above the 
ordinary, and in the community where he made his 
home was a prominent and influential citizen. 
Throughout his entire life he supported the Demo- 
cratic party and both he and his wife were mem- 
bers of the Presbyterian Churcli and faithful 
workers in the cause. His death "occurred in Alle- 



gheny County, Pa., in l«(iT, but his wife long sur- 
vived him, dying at the home of her son in Florida 
in 1!S.S2. 

Bcnj.iinin Ketcham in his youth was liberally 
educated, his primary course of study being supple- 
mented b}' scholastic training in the academy of 
Monongahela City. Tlic da^'s of his boj'hood and 
youth were passed under the parental roof, and not 
until the .ago of twenty-four did he leave home to 
begin life's battle for himself. It was inl855, when, 
attracted by the West with its brilliant prospects 
and splendid advantages afforded young men, he 
turned his face to the setting sun. He traveled as 
far as Iowa but felt on reaching the Hawkeye State 
that he need continue his journey no further, for 
here he believed one could make a comfortable home 
and secure a livclilioDd if he would but work. In 
18.')G, Mr. Ketcham purchased the farm upon which 
he now resides, a two hundred and forty-acre tract 
of land in Bonaparte Township, whose well-tilled 
fields and many improvements plainly indicate the 
thrift a.id enterprise of the owner. As the years 
have passed, he has made other purchases until his 
landed possessions now aggregate one thousand 
acres, eighty-seven of which are in .Jefferson County 
while seven acres of that amount lie wiijiin the cor- 
poration limilsof the cit}' of Faufielil. Jlr. Ketcham 
niiiy truly l>e called a self-made man, for it is almost 
entirel}' b}' his own efforts that he has acquired 
the property which now I'anks him among the 
wealthy citizens and successful business men of the 
county. On his farm may be found a goorl resi- 
dence, barns and outbuildings, the latest improved 
machinery and good grades of stock. During the 
war he enlisted in the Tliirtieth Iowa Infantry, and 
was in camp at Keokuk two weeks, but on final 
examination was rejected on account of a lame 
ankle. 

October 27, 18()l!, Mr. Ketcham was united in 
marriage with Miss Mary Lightfoot. a native of 
Manchester, England, born October 2.5. 1 8l.'l. .'iiid 
a daughter of .lohn Lightfool, who came to Si. 
Louis in 1845 and to Iowa in 18-17. Six children 
grace their union and they also lost one, Alice, who 
died at the .age of eight years, and her remains lie 
buried In the cemetery at Sharon Church. Minnie 
is the wife of Murr.ay Taylor, of Big Mound. Iowa; 



424 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Joel is at liomc; Lizzie is the wife of William B. 
Seelcy, of Lee County; George. Kiank and Clay 
are still with their parents. The children have all 
heen provided with good educational advantages, 
most of tlieiu having attended school in Parsons 
College. The eldest son was for three years a stu- 
dent in Parsons College, of Fairfield. 

Mr. Ketehuin supports the Democratic party, and 
like all good citizens feels an interest in public af- 
fairs but has never sought the honors or emolu- 
ments of public oflice, preferring to devote his time 
and attention to liis business. He, however, served 
as 'I'ruslee and Justice of the Peace at the solicita- 
tion of his friends. In connection with his other 
business interests he is a stockholder and Director 
in the Farmers & Traders' Bank of Bonaparte. Both 
he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian 
Church, at Sharon, where the family worships. 
Thirty-five years have passed since Mr. Ketcliam 
came to the count}-, years of prosperity and hap- 
piness to iiim, who by energy and labor won wealth 
and by an upright life secured many warm friends. 



ti:^^v<^\]^ 



E. VINCENT is one of the leading business 
men of Van Buren County and one of its 
largest landowners. He is now engaged in 
general merchandising in Lebanon and is 
aKso the owner of a similar establishment in 
Cantril. Being widely known throughout the 
community, his sketch will be of interest to 
man}- of our readers and we are therefore pleased 
to represent him in this work. He w.as born on 
the 13th of March, 18.'30, in West Virginia, gracing 
tlie union of Kice W. and Elizabeth (Meeks) 
Vincent. On the paternal side the family is of 
English origin, but the Meeks are of Scotch-Irish 
extraclicn. The jjalernal grandfather u our sub- 
ject, John Vincent, was a native of Delaware and 
served in the Revolutionary War. He lived to 
the advanced age of ninety-six years and his wife, 
wliose maiden name was Sarah Rice and who was 
a native of Virginia, died at a remarkal)le a"-e of 




one hundred and one j^ears. The parents of our sub 
ject were both born in the Old Dominion and Mr. 
Vincent followed farming in tiie pursuit of fortune. 
He died in 18.')2 and his wife passed away in 18(1.^. 
Their family numbered twelve children. John J., 
the eldest, who was a native of West Virginia, en- 
listed in the I'nion Army during the late war, vva> 
captured and died in Andersonville prison in 18G4; 
.Susan died in A'irginia; Thomas W. died in West 
Virginia, in 1889; Mamie died in Virginia; and 
Morgan C, in Indiana; Amos B. is engaged in 
farming in Pennyslvania; .S. E. of this sketch is 
the next younger; Saraii is now ileceased ; Jefferson 

C. is married and resides in Missouri; William H. 
is married and tnakes his home in Chillicothe, Mo., 

D. Frank is married and resides in California; and 
Lucy W. is now Mrs. Van Fleet of Jackson Town- 
ship, Van Buren County. 

The first twenty-five years of his life .S. E. 
Vincent spent in the .State of his nativit}' but in 
185.5, he resolved to act upon Horace Greeley's ad- 
vice and go West. He made a location in Hancock 
County, TIL, where he engaged in farming for 
about a j'ear, when he removed to Missouri, where 
he spent five 3-ears engaged in the same pursuit. 
It was a fortunate da\' for him when he decided to 
remove to Van Buren County. In 18C1. he located 
in Jackson Township and since that his efforts liave 
been attended with marked success. For about 
nine years he engaged in farming and stock raising. 
He purchased one hundred and eight}- acres of land 
and from time to time made additional purchases, 
until he is now the owner of seven hundred acres 
under a good state of cultivation, together wiili 
some landed property in Virginia. He still super- 
intends the management of his farm which pays to 
him a golden tribute for his care and cultivation 
and stock raising is also an important branch of 
his business, he shipping from sevciit}-livu to a 
hundreil head of cattle per year. 

Prior to his emigration from his native Stale, 
Mr. Vincent was united in marriage with Miss Eliz- 
abeth Dameron, the wedding taking place in 1850. 
The lady was born in that State March 12. 1831. 
Their family luitnbcred the following children: 
Ellen Nora, now deceased; Mrs. Jane Uavis; Cor- 
delia who died in California; Mrs. Am.inda R. 



PORTKAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



42.') 



Frazee of Van Biiren Township, \&u Buren Coun- 
ty; Mrs. Emma Work of Denvor, Col; '\V. II. wliu 
is manic'd and is engaged in merchandising in 
Ciiiilril; Mrs. .Mary Ten Kyck of Lebanon; I<la C, 
Zepha. .lames V. and John J. who died in child- 
hood. The inotlier of lliis faraily passed to her 
last rest on the 3<)th of January', 1890, after a long 
married life of forty years. 

Mr. Vincent left liis farm in 1870, and removeil 
to Lebanon, where lie has since resided. He erected 
a good store building. put in a large stock of general 
merchandise and lias since done a good business in 
that line. As he keeps only good grades of mer- 
chandise which he sells at fair prices and as in ail 
his dealings he is ui)right and honorable, cour- 
teous to all, he has won a liberal patronage which 
he richly deserves. His store at Cantril is also in 
a prosperous condition. The l>usines9 interests of 
Mr. Vincent are extensive, yet he has found time 
to devote to public duties. For seventeen years 
he served as Postmaster of Lebanon, has filled the 
office of Trustee in both Chequest and Jackson 
Townships for several years each and is now Town- 
ship Treasurer. He takes considerable interest in 
political affairs, and is a stanch advocate of ths 
Democracy. He is a sagacious and far-sighted 
business man who has been blessed with the pros- 
perity which comes to those of energetic and in- 
dustrious habits. 



-■•^•>-#-r— ■> 



AMKS LKFFLER follows farming as a 
means of livelihood, carrying on operations 
in that line on section lH,Harrisburg Town. 
'(®^' ship. He was born in Van Buren County 
on .Vugust 20, 1845. and is a son of Mansuet and 
Irene (Gavin) Leffler. His father, a native of 
Baden. Germany, was born in 180.3. grew to man- 
hood in that country and serveil for six years in 
the German Army. With a desire to benefit his 
linancial conilition he .-.•dhd for America in 183.'5. 
and four years Inter, ir. 1837, became a residtut of 



what is now ^'all Buren County, but at that time 
was a part of the Territory of Michigan. Little 
indeed is known concerning the early historj' of 
this settlement that is not familiar to Mr. Leffler, 
who is still residing in the community at the ad- 
vanc('(l age of eighty -seven years. The death of 
his wife occurred in 1880. She was a native of 
Tennessee and by her marriage became the mother 
of eleven children. 

.lames was the fifth in order of birth in that 
family. He was reared to manhood in the count}- 
of his nativity and like a dutiful son remained at 
home assisting his father in the labors of the farm 
until twenty-two years of age, when he left the 
parental roof and started out in life for himself 
beginning operations as a farmer on rented land. 
As success in this life is generally due to deter- 
mined effort. supplementeil by industry and business 
ability, little ftars were entertained concerning his 
future and his course has justified the expectation 
of his friends. As quickly as possible he gathered 
together the funds necessary for securing a farm 
of his own and at length procured his present 
home, settling down to steady work. A licli and 
well cultivated tract of land of one hundred 
and eighty-eight and three-fourths acres now ])ays 
trilnile to his care and cultivation, many good 
improvements, add ornament and value to the 
place and the best grades of farm stock are there 
seen. For a number of years he has also success- 
fully engaged in practice as a veterinary surgeon. 

In 1871. Mr. Leffler was united in marriage with 
Miss Mary A. Hatch of Van Buren County, 
daughter of William and Margaret (Boner) Hatch. 
Two children grace their union, a son a.. d daughter 
— Mattie and Omar L. 

Mr. Leffler is a charter member of Des Moines 
Valley Lodge. No. 138, I. O. (j. F. and w.as the 
first secretary of the organization. He keeps him- 
self well informed on :dl matters of general inter- 
est, is a worthy citizen and an active local politi- 
cian, supporting the Democratic paity. He has 
now serveil acceptably as Clerk of the township for 
about seven years.Trustee three years. Assessor <ine 
year and has l)een a delegate to both county and 
State conventions. The name of Leffler is in^epar 
ably connected with the history of \aii Buren 



426 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



County. The honored fiiUicr of our subject as 
one of its pioneers, uiul .lames, as one of its worthy 
citizens iiave borne tlieir share in the upbuilding 
of the county, have aided in its progress and have 
been witnesses of its wonderful development and 
transformation. They shared in the hardsliips and 
trials of |)ioneer life, their home was in tiiis com- 
nuuiily when the Indians were more numerous 
tlian Uic wliite settlers, while "ild animals were 
yet seen and wiien wild game of all kinds was to 
be found in abundance. It was no eas^' task to 
give up the comforts and luxuries of the East to 
make homes in a wild and unbroken western coun- 
try and the greatest gratitude sliouid be rendered 
unto the noble men and women who bore such 
sacrifices and laid tlie foundation fortlie prosperity 
and advancement which now characterize the 
countj'. 






"S^^ 



ellRISTOPHER KI:RR. deceased, an honored 
pioneer and farmer of Van Hnren County, 
whose family is still living on section 16, 
I'nion Township, was born in County Armagh, Ire- 
land, on the ;i<l of March, 1817. He learned the 
trade of a weaver in his native lan.I and acquired 
his education in its public schools. When a young 
man of twenty-three years, with a hope of better- 
ing his financial condition in the New World, he 
bade good-l)y to home, friends and the Emerald 
Isle, and alone started for America. On the 
voyage he had an attack of small pox, but had 
about recovered his health on reaching this coun- 
try. He made his first location in Pennsylvania, 
whore he remained until he got money enougli to 
travel, wlien he went to Canada. A short time 
afterward, however, we find him in Ohio, where the 
succeeding three years of his life were passed. It 
was in 18M that he came to the Territorj- of Iowa 
with the intention of making bis future home on 
Its broad prairies and settled in Van IJurcn County. 
Tiiat was an important day for both llic county 
and himself, as he prospered here, while the com- 



munity gained a, valued citizen. After entering 
forty acres of land, he eml)arked in merchandising 
in Winchester, whicli he continued for some six 
years, or until 1850, when, attracted by tiie gold 
discoveries in California, he crossed the plains with 
an ox-team. At the end of a year he returned 
with §1.600 in his pocket, which furnished a fair 
start. Removing to his farm, he purchased an ad- 
ditional eighty acres, and then began the develop- 
ment of his land, which in course of time yielded 
abundant harvests as the reward for the labors ex- 
pended thereon. 

On the 23il of December, 18.52, Mr. Kerr was 
united in marriage with Miss Sarah Moxley, who 
died in December, ISoi), leaving four children, but 
only one of the number is now living — Melissa, 
wife of Charlie Sherrod, of Farmington. On the 
7th of March, 1861, Mr. Kerr was a second time 
married, the lady of his choice being Miss Mar^^ 
Addy, who still survives him. She was born in 
County Cavan, Ireland, .lanuary 12, 1835, and is 
a daughter of .Tames and Margaret (Foster) Addy. 
Eight children were born unto them, six of whom 
are living — James V., Itorn .lanuarv 4, 1862, is at 
home; Maggie L., born December 28, 1863, is de- 
ceased; .Tessie G., born October 20, 1865, is the 
wife of William Pratlier, of Dakota; Leila Reins 
Rarnsdel, born June 1, 1867, is deceased; George 
W., born August 20. 1869; Ilulda Emma. July 
9, 1872; Aaron Stanley, March 12, 1875; and 
Amelia E., May 27. 1877, are at home. The chil- 
dren were provided with good educational a<J van- 
tages, and Leila and George were students jit the 
Normal School, at Shenandoah. 

Mr. Kerr died at his home, in I'nion Township, 
July 19. 1886, respected by all who knew him. At 
the time of his death he owned four hundred and 
si.xty acres of laud in N'an Buren County and three 
hundred and twenty acres in Missouri, which left 
his family in comfortable circumstances. With a 
capital of '$50 he began life in lliis county, but 
good managonient, industry and pluck overcame 
the disadvantages which lay in his path, and he 
at length became a well-to-do citizen. In propor- 
tion .is he was prosperous, his generosity increased. 
He w.as charitable and benevolent, ever ready to 
extend a helping hand to those less fortunate than 



PORTRAIT ANH BIOGRAPHICAL ALRUM. 



427 



himself, and in liim the poor and needy fouiul n 
true fiiend. He also gave liberally for the sup- 
port of thuse enterprises calculated to benefit tiie 
coninuinit}- or upbuild town and county. In his 
early life he was a supporter of Democratic prin- 
ciples, but when the question of slavery became an 
issue lie joined the new Republican party formed 
to preventi its further extension, and became an in 
(luenlial member of local political circles. 

Mrs. Kerr still survives her husband and is liv- 
ing on tiic (lid iiouie farm in liiidu Township, 
where she has erected one of tlie finest residences 
in the county. Her management of the business 
interests reflects credit upon herself. She is a 
faithful member of the Metliodist Church, of Win- 
chestf r, and tlie family is well and favorably known 
throughout the neighborliooil. 




|(_^ ON. WILLIAM HOPKIRK, a pioneer of 
.Teft'erson County now resiciing on section 
34, Lockridge Township, has identified 
himself with the best interests of the com- 
munity in various ways, especially in the support 
of and influence lent for the advancement of such 
enterprises .is are calculated to benefit the com- 
munity. As a farmer he has also aided in the de- 
velopment of tlie county, having suci ceded in 
placing many acres of Iowa's fertile jirairie land 
under cultivation. 

He was born in Galtonside, Rosburyshire, Scot- 
land, May 'J, 1811, his parents being William and 
Isabel (Holmes) Hopkirk. His father and grand- 
father were shoemakers by trade and followed that 
business throughout their entire lives. His mother's 
family belonged to one of the old clans of Scot- 
land. Both parents, in accordance with tlie teach- 
ings of their ancestors, became members of the 
Presbyterian Church. In their family were eight 
children, seven sons and one daughter, and five of 
the number became residents of this country. The 
only daughter, Klizabeth, was drowned in a storm 
at sea while returning to her childhood home; 



David, after some years residence in America re- 
turned to Scotland, where lie spent his last days; 
John died in .lefferson County, and Walter is a 
resident of Colorado. 

The fifth member of the family to cross the brinj' 
deep was William Hopkirk, tlie honored pioneer of 
Jefferson County, whose circle of friends will be 
glad to receive the sketch of his life here recorded. 
He received but limited educational a<lvantages in 
his youth but by personal application he has be- 
come a well informed man on all general topics and 
has acquainted himself with both ancient and 
modern bistory. When a lad of thirteen years he 
commenced work at his trade, that of manufacturer 
and colorer of cloth, serving an apprenticeship of 
five years, after which he worked some three j'ears 
for wages. On March 3, 1834, he married Jane 
Redpath, who was born August 10, 1813, in Rox- 
buryshire, Scotland, near the childhood home of 
our subject. Sir Walter Scott was also a resident 
of the neighborhood and attended the same church. 
.Soon after their marriage, Mr. Hopkirk and his 
bride sailed for New York, reaching that city after 
thirty days. Thence he made his nay to Roches- 
ter, but .as he could not obtain work at his trade in 
that place, he engaged in quarrying until an oppor- 
tunity offered for labors in his chosen line of busi- 
ness. Having worked in Rochester until 1837, he 
then removed to within six miles of Mt. Pleasant, 
Ohio, and later became a resident of Wellsburg. 
W. Va. 

Tlie spring of 1842 witnessed the arrival of Mr. 
Hopkirk in Jefferson County, Iowa, where he 
entered one hundred and sixty acres of land on .Sec- 
tion 34, Lockridge Township. Almost half a cen- 
tury has since p.assed but that farm continues to be 
his home. There he has met with some reverses 
and failures, but on the whole his life has been one 
of prosperity and almost uninterrupted success. By 
industry, [lerseverance and good management, he 
was enabled to extend bis acreage until he was the 
possessor of live hundred and sixty acres, but the 
greater part of this he has since disposed of, own- 
ing now some one hundred and ninety acres. Work 
has been the motto of his life and to it he has faith- 
fully adhered, yet in the intervals of business lalwr 
he has accomplished not a little for the advance- 



428 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPFIICAL ALBUM. 



raent of public interests. Tiie cause of education 
has ever fouiul in iiiin :i true friend and during tlie 
thirteen years lie served as Secretiiry of his school 
dislricl he did nut a- liule toward bettering the 
grade of seiiools and in procuring efficient teach- 
ers, lie served as Trustee of liis township for 
several years, for two terms was a member of the 
C'ount3' Board of Supervisors and from 1870 until 
1871), represented his district in the Cieiieral As- 
sembly of Iowa, being elected to the position for 
three consecutive terms. While a member of the 
House, he served on the railroad committee and 
gained the ill-will of nil railroad incorporators by 
his introduction of the Hopkirk Bill, providing 
that railroa<l property should be taxed the same as 
other property. His re-election to the same posi- 
tion indicated that he served his constituencj'^ faith- 
fully anil well. He cast his tirst Presidential vote 
for .lolin C. Fremont in JH.ifi, and since has been a 
stalwart supi)orter of Republican principles. 

The death of Mrs. Hopkirk, who vvas a faithful 
member of the Presbyterian Church, occurred 
February 1'2. 18(!0. She vvas the mot!ier of eleven 
children, live S(jns and si.v daughters — Elizabeth, 
wife of Robert Stephenson, a resident of Fairfield; 
Isabel, wife of William Bankhead of California; 
William who died in the service of his country dur- 
ii\g the late war; Anna, wife of Robert .Stamm, 
whose home is in Osceola County, Iowa; Jlary U., 
widow of David L Brown ;Uobert who was wounded 
during Slurges' defeat and died from the wound in 
Memphis. Tenn.; Lillie. wife of Benjamin Hanson, 
a resident farmer of Lockridge Township; .James, 
an extensive contractor and builder, vf Seattle, 
Wash.; .lane, who died at the age of twenty-one 
years; Alexander, nientioned below, and Waiter, 
who died at thu age of one and a half years'. 

Alexander resides upon and has charge of the 
old homestead, managing almost the entire busi- 
ness connected with it. He was born under the 
sheltering roof of the old home October -25. 1853, 
and there was reared to manhood. Having ac- 
quired a good Fnglish education, he then engaged 
in teaching for some eight years, when he relieved 
liis father who has now attained an advanced age. 
of the care and snperintendcncy of the farming in- 
terests. On the 26th of April, 1883, he married 



Miss Addic L. Ripley, who was born in AValdo 
County. Me., and came to Iowa, in 1879. One 
child graces their union, a daughter. Nellie. 

Like his wife, Mr. Hopkirk is a faithful member 
of the Presbyterian Church and also belongs to the 
Old Settlers' Society. His public and private life 
are alike above reproach; his course has been an 
honorable one; his friends are ni.'ujy; he iias nuide 
few enemies and in the conscientious discharge of 
ever}' duty devolving upon him he has won well 
merited praise and honor. 



r.-.^EWTON L. CALllUUXjs.a representative 
jjj of one of the pioneer families whose histoiy 

;^ is inseparably connected with lliat of Vtm 

Biu-en Count}'. Throughout Southeastern low.'j the 
name is known as representing men of sterling 
worth, engaged in agricultural pursuits, who in 
many ways have also labored for the best interests 
of the community and for the welfare of town, 
county and State. His^ honored parents. Newton 
and Esther (Saunders) Calhoun, are mentioned 
more fully. in the sketch of his brother X'nrnnm. 
His birth occurred on the homestead farm .luly 31. 
1840, succeeding the arrival of the family in the 
Territory of Iowa. He acquired his education in 
the liirmingham schools, and having attained his 
majority on the last d.ay of .Tuly, I8C1, he enlisted 
the following month in Company H. Third Iowa 
Cavalry, for three year's service in the War of the 
Rebellion. The first two j'ears his regiment s|>ent 
in Missouri, where the troops were engaged in dis- 
persing rebels, capturing supplies, etc. Proceed- 
ing southward they afterwards particijiated in the 
capture of Little Rock, Ark. Mr. Calhoun did not 
veteranize at the close of his term of service but 
remained in that city until sent to Keokuk, where 
he received his discharge .September in. 1804. 
During the last year and i half of his service he 
held the oftice of Commissar}- Sergeant. 

Returning to Birmingham, Jlr. Calhoun spent 
the following winter in school and then devoted 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



429 



liiiiisi'lf to llie ()ccii|);Uion of farming, by wliicli lie 
lias since not only gained aliveliiiood l)ut which has 
proved tv him the means of securing a handsome 
competence. On the Isl of Mardi. 186C>, he was 
united in marriage with Margaret E. Fairer, a na- 
tive of Ohio, born April 30, 1844. Three children 
graced tlicir union — Orange S., who is now a far- 
mer of Van Buren County; M. Nellie, wife of 
Charles S. Walker, son of Maj. Walker; and Joseph 
F. Mr. Calhoun w.is called upon to mourn the 
loss of his wife, who died on the 2nth of October, 
1886. She was a faithful member of the Presby- 
terian Church and was beloved by all for her many 
excellencies of character. On tlte 14th of Novem- 
ber, 1889, he was again married, his second union 
being with Eliza ,1. Torrenee, a native of Lick 
Creek Township. She also is a member of the 
Presbj-terian Church and a lady of culture. 

Forty-four years have passed in which Mr. 
Calhoun has known no other home than the farm 
upon which he yet resides. It is endeared, to liim 
by mail}' associations of his boyhood, his 3'outli 
and of mature years. Here his children were born 
and here he has become a prosperous citizen as the 
result of his industrious and thriftj' efforts. So- 
cially, he is a member of the Grand Army of the 
Republic, and in political sentiment supports the 
Republican part}', by which he was several terms 
elected Assessor of his Township. He is engaged 
in farming on an extensive scale, also is one of the 
large stock-raisers of the county and is the oldest 
native citizen of his township. 



EN 



ON. JAMES WILLIAM RICE, a prominent 

Dj) and inQuential citizen of Farmington, is 
well known all over Van Buren County and 
is deserving of a representation in this vol- 
ume where are recorded the lives of the pioneers 
and leading citizens of the countyr A native of 
Massaehusetts. he was born in Wallham, .lune 11, 
1821. He traces his ancestry back to 1620, when 
the founder of the familv in America, one of the 



Pilgrim fathers, hinded from the -'Mayflower" at 
Plymouth Rock. His father, .lames Rice, was born 
ill 171)6 and wedded Dolly L. Carr. who was four 
years his junior and was also a descendant of New 
England ancestry. Unto them w-is born a family 
of four children, one son ami three daughters, 
namely: Dolly, who became the wife of Thomas 
Drummond, emigrated westwan) in 1h:?9, settling 
in Fairfield, but died in Danville, III.; Jane, mar- 
ried Thomas Criin and they became residents of 
Van Buren County but her last days were spent in 
Keokuk; Hannah L.. was the wife of Jonathan 
Bedell, of Denver, Col.; and James W., completes 
the family, of which he was the eldest. The father 
died in Massachusetts in 1834. after which Mrs. 
Rice became the wife of Abner Kneeland, a noted 
infidel and the founder of the Boston Investigation 
Society — a man who gained a world-wide reputa- 
tion on account of the position which he took re- 
garding religious subjects. Three children were 
born of this marriage — Albert, a ranchman of Col- 
orado died in 1885; Susan, wife of Thomas B. 
Boler, of Farmington ; .Maria, wife of George I). 
Johnson of Rosednle. Kan., Mr. Kneeland died in 
Van Buren County in 1844, and tlie death of his 
wife occurred in Farmington in 1872. 

■lames William Rice acquired his education in the 
academy of Concord, Mass. and the High School of 
Boston. When a lad of fourteen years he was 
bound out to the painter's trade in the latter city 
and after the expiration of his term of fipprentice- 
ship followed that business for a number of years. 
In 1839, he accompanied his parents to the M'est, 
the family locating on a farm near Farmington. 
whtre he continued to make his home until 187.'), 
since which lime he h.as lived in the town. 

On the 1st of January, 1848, Mr. Rice was 
united in marriage with Sarah A. Smith, daughter 
of Silas and Sarah W. (Wilder) Smith. She was 
also a niece of Marshall Wilder. By their union 
were born three children, j-et living, namely: Mrs. 
Ella L. Whitten; Nellie, wife of L. L. Thcrrae, the 
present Postmaster of Faruiingtou; and Mary A.. 
at home. 

In early life Mr. Rice was a Democratic Aboli- 
tionist, that is he entertained the principles of 
Denioeracy and was also strongly opposed to the 



•430 



PORTUAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



institution of slavery. Ou State and National 
questions he yet supports the Democracy, Imt nl lo- 
cnl elections votes for the man and not the party. 
The fellow citizens of Mr. Rice appreciating his 
worth and ability have frequently called upon him 
to serve in pulilio positions. For six years he held 
the office of Mayor of Farminglon,was Town Clerk 
for three years, Justice of the Peace for fourteen 
years ami Notaiy Public for six years. The duties 
of these oIKccs he has ever discharged in a prompt 
and faithful manner, thus winning the respect of 
even his political enemies. In his business he has 
l)rosiiere(l and by an upright life lie has won the re- 
spect of both young and old. rich and poor. lie 
lias ever been a friend to education and to all 
moral and social interests and has done what he 
could for the a<lvaneement and upbuilding of the 
countj'. 



^¥r 



UKAS ZIIIl'-MAN has been prominently 
connected with ilie business interests of 
;'i;— V- Jefferson County for a number of years, 
and now ranks among its [irogressive farmers, de- 
voting his time and attention to the cultivation of 
a good farm, situated on section 13. Lockridge 
Township. His father, who was a native of Lu- 
zi'rne. Switzerland, operated a dairy and engaged 
HI the manufacture of cheese in his native land, 
doing an extensive and lucrative business in that 
line until his death. He married Mary iStadleman, 
iind unto them were born six children, three sons 
and three daughters, all born in .Swilzerland. 
Mary dieil in that country; .Simon is still living in 
his native land; Andrew crossed the ocean and is 
now living in Walnut Township, Jefferson County ; 
Lena died in Switzerland; Katie is also deceased, 
and Lukas completes the number. The father of 
this family was a well educated man, possessed of 
good business ability, and was a faithful member 
of the Catholic Church. 

Lukas Zihiinan was also born in Luzerne in 184 1, 
an<l when three years of age was deprived of a 
mother's loving care and watchfulness. He re 



eeivcd good literary training, and acquired his 

business education in his father's est.iblishment, as- 
sisting in the management of that business until 
his father's death. He determined to try his for- 
tune in America in 1866, and, suiting the action to 
till! word, crossed the ocean and for a year worked 
as a farm hand in Lockridge Township, Jefferson 
County. At the end of that time he became con- 
vinced that he could find no better home and. re- 
turning to his native laud, he severed all connec- 
tion with that country save the pleasant memories 
clustered about his childhood home, and once more 
set sail for the new world. He has never yet had oc- 
casion to regret that step, for he has succeeded even 
be^-ond his expectations in a financial way, and 
here fricndslii|)S have been formed which nothing 
could induce him to sever. 

In 1 868. Mr. Zihlman was united in marriage 
with Miss Lottie Jordan, and immediately after- 
wards the young couple began their domestic life 
on the tarm which has since been their home. 
Many changes, however, have since been made. 
Their first residence was a little log cabin, their 
furniture was somewhat crude in char.acter as com- 
pared with the furnishings of their home to-dav, 
and their farm comprised but one hundred and 
sixty acres of land, only fifty of which was then 
under cultivation, but now the entire amount is 
yielding him a ready return for the care which he 
licstows upon it, and its boundaries have been ex- 
tended until it embraces an additional eighty-acre 
tract, which is also iiighly improved. Since first 
locating upon his farm, Mr. Zihlman has continued 
to make it his home, with the exception of five 
years vvliich he spent in the West. He bought land 
in Nebraska, but that period of time convinced 
him that he preferred Iow.t as a [lernianent place 
of residence. He also went to Kansas and helped 
to establish the town of Colby, where he carried on 
a clothing store for a while. In this county j\Ir. 
Zihlman operated a sawmill for three years and 
shipped timber on the railroad. He has greatly 
enhanced the value of his farm by adding to it 
many excellent improvements, both useful and or- 
namental, and by the erection of a commodious 
residence. 

Tiie children born unto our subject and his 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



431 



wortliy wife arc William, born April .'51, lH(i9; 
Lucas, January 2, 1871; Andrew, A|)ril 7, 1K73; 
Marj', April 4, 1875; the next two died in infancy; 
John, horn March 8. ISSl; Jacob. July SI, 1883; 
.\d:nn, December 27, 1884; and Kva, August 13. 
18,><7. The family «re all members of the Catholic 
Cliurch of Germanville. They have many warm 
friends throughout the community, and in the 
social world arc held in high regard. 



,EV. SAMUEL BA1LP:V ROSS, Pastor of 
!;*- tlie Christian Church, of Fairfield, has been 
cli \v a resident of Iowa since 1852, and \vhen a 
lad of eight j'ears he accompanied his par- 
ents to Jones County-. He was born near Utica, 
N.Y.. December 22. 1841, his parents being Francis 
K. and L.nura M. (Whitney) Ross. His father was 
horn September 17, 1807. in Herkimer Counlj'. 
X. Y., of Scotch parentage. The founder of the 
family in America was Capt. John Koss, a gentle- 
man of Scottish birth, who served as an ofticer in 
the Kritis'i arm}', but sold his commission and emi- 
grated to America during the P>nglish and French 
Wars about the time Gen. Wolfe was killed. He 
bought a tract of land of Gen. Herkimer and set- 
tled in tlie county wliich bears that warrior's name. 
The old stone house which Capt. Ross erected is 
still standing — a landmark of Colonial days when 
this country was Still subject to the British crown. 
The mother of our subject was born in Oneida 
County, N. Y., April 4, 1812, and was also of 
Scotch descent. Siie lost her own mother while 
a child and was reared by a (icrnian family, thus 
learning the language of her foster parents, and at 
the time of her marriage she could scarcely si>eak 
a word of Knglisli. 

We now lake up the personal history of our sub- 
ject, the Rev. S. B. Ross, the highly esteemed jias- 
tor of the Christian Church, of Fairfield. On the 
anniversary of Washington's birthday, in 18,52. the 
family crossed the Mississii)pi River into Iowa and 



settled in Castle Grove, Jones County. During 
his boyhood he attended the district schools of the 
neighborhood an<l in his early manhood engaged 
in railroading anil other employments, but not con- 
tent with the educational advantages which had 
hitherto been afforded him, he entered Oskaloosa 
College as a student. His ministerial work began 
in the fall of 1 874 in Washington County, Iowa, 
and one year later he went to Glen wood. Mills 
County, where he remained until 1877. His pas- 
torate at that place was followed bj' three years of 
labor in Shenandoah, Page County, and by one 
year spent in Crcston, Jackson Count}'. The suc- 
ceeding year he was pastor of the church in Whit, 
tem. Hardin County, after which he accepted a call 
from the church at Delta. Keokuk County, where 
he remained for five years. At the expiration of 
that lime, in February, 1888. he accepted his pres- 
ent charge in Fairfield, Iowa, and has entered 
upon his third year as pastor at this place. He 
had, however, previously resided in this city, hav- 
ing here made his home from 1870 until Septem- 
ber. 1875. 

On the 2d of February. 1876. in Fairfield, Mr. 
Ross was united in the holy bonds of matrimony 
with Jliss Hulda .Sackett, daughter of Simon and 
Kde .Sackett. She was born in Mahoning County, 
Ohio, and came to Iowa in March, 1870. Two chil- 
dren were born unto the Rev. S. B. Ross and wife, 
but both were called to the home above. Fred A.. 
' born February 9, 1878, died on the 19th of Febru- 
ary of the same year; Willie C, born in Shenan- 
doah, Iowa, July 10, 1879, died on the 30th of 
(Jctober, 1889. In politics Mr. Ross is both a Pro- 
hibitionist and a Republican, voting with the 
former party on National questions and with the 
latter on State elections. He Is a studious, earnest 
man, and has |)roved a popular pastor in the vari- 
ous fields where he has been called to labor. 

The parents of our su<)ject are both now de- 
ceased, the father having died on September 24. 
1871, and the mother on December 12, I8f>9. Their 
family consisted of four sons and two <lauglilers. as 
follows: Andrew J., who died at the age of twenty- 
tluec years; Hidibard W., who was a deaf mute 
and gra<luated from the Deaf and Dumb Institute, 
I of New York City, was killed by the cars near 



432 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Delevan. Wis., at tlie age of twenty-tliiee years; improvement was a log cabin. TIk; excitement and 

Frank, who served as a soldier in Company D, newness of pioneer life seemed to liave an attrac- 

Nintli Iowa Infantry, during tlie late war. is mar- tion for iiini, and he succeeded .i<lmirably in liis 

ried and lives in Ottawa County, Kan.; Alcena is efforts to develop wild prairie into iiroduclive 



the wife of Newton Baldwin, also a resident of (Ot- 
tawa; Rev. Samuel B. is the next younger; and 
Laura O., wife of James Zook. of Ottawa County, 
completes the family. 




A.MIEL T. IIORTON is the oldest living 
settler of Lip<l<iidge Townslii)), .lofferson 
County, his home being on section 27. In 
his vvork as a local minister of the Free 
Methodist Chuich he has becomo widely known 
throughcMil the surrounding country, and wins the 
friendship of all with whom he comes in contact. 
A life of uprightness, devoted to the interests of 
Imnianity. has m.ide him a honoretl citizen of the 
community, and when he shall have passed away 
his memory will remain as a [jotent influence for 
good. 

Mr. Ilorton was born in Morgan County, III., 
September 17, 1833, and is a son of Urias and 
Sarah Ilorton. His f;ilhei was born in A'irginia, 
October .t, IHOO, an 1 in his youth removed to Ken- 
tucky, where he became acquainted with ami mar- 
ried Miss Sarah Berry. Soon afterward, in 1826, 
they became residents of 3Iorgan Count_v, 111., 
where Mr. Ilorton located land and developed a 
farm. In 1831) he crossed the Father of W.-iters 
into the Territory of Iowa, and made a location 
■ nearSalina, in Lockridge Township. He entered 
land a half-mile west of Salina, and began trans- 
forming it into a farm, the entire one hundred and 
twenty acres being in its primitive condition. Not 
a furrow had lieen turned or an improvement made, 
and the land had to be cleared before plowing was 
done, but with eharaclerislic energy and ))ersever- 
ance Mr. Ilorton began bis task, which he contin- 
ued until 1811. He then removed to an eighty- 
acre farm northeast of Salina, upon which the only 



farms. The one on which he located in 1844 con- 
tinued to be the home of himself and wife until 
they were called to their final home. Mr. Horton 
died in 1884, and his wife passed away in 1876. 
They are numbered among the very earliest of 
.lefferson County's pioneers. They were familiar 
with all lilt hardshi()s and privations of frontier 
life, such as going long distances to market and 
mill, doing their farm work with oxen and rude 
agricultural implements, living in crowded ipuu- 
ters with furniture of their own manufacture, and 
having the \vil3' ''•5'' '"^n for neighbors. 

While Mr. and Mrs. llortan were residing in Illi- 
nois, six sons were born unto them, as follows: 
Benjamin, who died at the age of eighteen j-ears; 
Joseph, now of Missouri, who serveil during the 
war in the Thirtieth Iowa Regiment, and was 
wounded in the arm; Samuel, of this sketch; John, 
who was a member of the Second Iowa Infantry", 
and was wounded in the leg. is now a Methodist 
minister belonging to the Kansas Conference; 
George W., deceased, was Captain of a company of 
the Eighty-fourth Illinois Regiment; and Isaac 
Newton is living on the old homestead. After 
coming to Iowa the family circle was increased bj- 
the birth of three daughters — Marj' J., Sarah E. 
and Annie, but all are now deceased. 

Urias Horton was an exemplar}' citizen, one who 
in a quiet and unostentatious, >ct faithful manner, 
performed every dutj' devolving upon him. He 
supported the Democratic party in politics, and in 
eaii}' life united with the Cumberland l'resb3terian 
Church, but later accepted the doctrines of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, and remained a con- 
sistent member until his death. 

Samuel T. Horton has spent almost, his entire life 
in Jefferson County. He was a lad of but six 
summers when his parents settled upon the farm 
near Salina, where he grew to manhood. He had 
taste for clearing land, and became an expert rail 
splitter, beating the record of Lincoln by making 
live thousand rails in one winter. He began his 
education in the subscription schools of that early 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



i;^3 



(lay, wliich was followed bj' a few terms attendance 
at llic pulilic schools, but liis knowledge there 
uaiiu'ij has lieen largely supplomcnted by extensive 
roailiiiff and study. niaUini; liini one of the best in- 
formed men of his tciwnship. lie remained at 
home until twenty -three years of age, wiien he 
married Miss Gincy Crenshaw, a native of Illinois. 

Tilt' young eouple lii'gau their domestic life in 
a log cabin in the midst of a forty-aere tract of 
timber land, and their place of residence has never 
changed, although the dwelling has undergone a 
transformation. Many changes have also been 
wrouglit on the farm, its boundaries have been ex- 
tended until it now comprises one hundred and 
fifteen acres, this has been divided into fiekls, and 
a glance tells the passer-by of unremitting toil and 
.of tlie thrift and enterprise of the owner. In 1867 
he was licensed to preach, ar.d has had charge of 
several circuits. His labors have extended over 
portions of Henry, \'an IJuren and the whole of 
Jefferson County. He has often been solicited to 
accept a charge, but preferred to be free to go 
wlierever he believed his services were most needed. 
He has probably preached more funerals and mar- 
ried more peo|}le than an\- man in the county. 

In 1864, Mr. Horton was called upon to mourn 
the loss of his wife. Three children had been boin 
of their union, but two died eretlie nnjlher's death, 
the tluec d^ing in one week. The surviving daugh- 
ter is Laura, wife of Marshall Chilcott, of Osborn 
County, Ivan. lie afterward married Miss Eleanor 
Crenshaw, and unto them have been liorn four sons 
and three daughters — Nancy O., born November 
18, I8Go, is the wife of tlie Rev. I. H. (Jorrell, now 
of I'.urlington. Iowa; Ida. wlio is living in Burling- 
ton ; JMatlie, Frank F., George W., Henry and 
Ervy Esta, all at home. 

The work which Mr. Horton has accomplished 
for his own church cannot be estimatecL for h" has 
labored long and cjirnestly in its interests, ile is 
a fluent talker, expresses his thoughts witli feeling 
and force, and lias the power of drawing others to 
himself by words of kindness and deeds of charity 
and love, which convinces them tliat his '.•eligion is 
not a mere myth, but a part of liis life. For eight 
yen.rs he has been Superintentlent of the .Sunday- 
school, and labors in all branches of church work. 



Like him, his wife delights in doing good, and is 
highly esteemed for h"r m.any excellencies of head 
and heart. In politics, he was first a Denu.crat, 
but most of the lime has been independent, voting 
for those candidates who supported Proliiliition 
principles. In 1884, he voted for St. .lohn, the 
Prohibition candidate. Since th.at tin.c he has been 
a stalwart supporter of the party. Ho served ac- 
ceptably as .lustic'fc of the Peace for eight years, 
and is now Notary Public. 



^^^ 



j^^^ AMUEL C. FARMER, deceased, was one 
^^^ of the leading busitie«s men of Fairfield 
(U/^ and took an active interest in the iirogress 
of that city. His life record is well worthy 
a place in this volume and it is with plca.sure that we 
present this brief sketch to tlie many friends who 
mourn his loss. He was born in Wheeling, W. 
V.a.. May 24, 1807, and in early life received 
excellent literary training, his school iirivilces 
being superior to those afforded most youths of 
that (Lay. Subsequently- he prepared himself for 
the practice of medicine, but as a profession fol- 
lowed it only about four years. For some lime he 
was engaged in the milling business and in Fair- 
field devoted his attention to several enterprises 
which proved of a helpful character to the city. 

lire his removal to the West, however, Mr. 
Farmer, on the lllh of November, 1849, was 
joined in wedlock with Mary .1.. daughter of James 
and Margaret (Fletcher) Crawford. The union 
was celebrated in West Liberty, Va., the lady is a 
native of Beaver Falls, Beaver County, Pa., her 
birth having occurred in that place September 18. 
1824. After about seven years residence in his 
native State, .Mr. Farmer, accompanied by his wife, 
in 18.')C, severed his connection with the East and 
started for Jefferson County, Iowa. Near balina, 
he purchased a farm, but that business proving 
unprofitable, he sold out and removed to Fairfield, 
where in 1862, he succeeded to the banking busi- 
ness of Bernhart, Ilenn <S: Co. Having carried on 



434 



PORTRAIT AM) BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



a privnte bank until August. 18G5, the instilulion 
was I lien iiieiged into the First National Bank of 
Faiiliuld. of wliicii Mr. pjijinL'r was in.nde Cashier. 
« position which he coiitinueil to fill nine years or 
until his retirement as a memherof the corporation 
in 1874. The following year, he and his sons, 
.Samuel C. .)r. and Joe P., establisheil a bank under 
the firm title of Samuel C. Parmer & .Sons, which 
he continued until his death. He was .accounted a 
successful and competent business man and the 
institution of which he was the head was consid- 
ered one of the safe moneyed concerns of the 
county. Politically, in early life, he was a strong 
Whig ; later he became a Republican, witji wliich 
parly he alliliated until toward the close of his 
earthly career when he espoused the princii)les of 
Democracy. He died September 13, 1880, re- 
spected by all who knew him. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Farmer were boin three chil- 
dren, the two younger of whom are living. Anna 
M.. the eldist, now deceased, was tiie wife of Alex- 
ander MeCraikin ; Samuel C. married Miss Coia, 
daiiuhter (if lulward Campbell and is employed in 
a banking establishment of Chicago ; Joe F., wlio 
is an employe in the Liiion Pacific Railroad office 
of Council IJIutTs, married Miss Nellie, sister of 
C. M. McKlroy, editor of tiie Fairfield Tribune. 

.Mrs. Fanner still resides in Fairfield where she 
has many warm friends and a large circle of ac- 
(piainlances. She is an active worker in the Luth- 
eran Church and is mucli beloved and esteemed for 
ill T many good deeds. 



>.iu.i.j .tw4P i.um.. 



O^KORGK H.\NS()N, who resides on section 
P 26, Loekridge Township, has long been a 
J resident of Jefferson County, where he is 
widely and favorably known. His history is in- 
.separalily connected with that of the neighborhood 
iind the progress and improvement which have 
here been made are due- in no small degree to his 
efforts. His parents, Tiiomas and Anna (Lupton) 
Hanson, spent their entire lives iu Yorkshire, Eng- 



land, where George was born on the Gth of June. 
1816. The father was a woolen manufacturer and 
in his factory the sou learned the trade. Out of a 
family of eight children, numbering five sons and 
three daughters, he is the only one yet living and 
the oid\' one that crossed the ocean. His scholas- 
tic training was meager indeed but by his own 
effort he has acquired suflicient education to trans- 
act his own business. A vessel sailing between 
Eriglanil and New York in 1841 bore him to the 
shores of tiiis country and in tiie Empire State he 
worked at his trade for some _\ears, being thus em- 
ployed in both Lake and Oneida Comities. He 
came to Jeffereon County, Iowa, in 1846. and 
erected a woolen mill at Crawfords Mills, wliicli 
was one of the first, if not the first mill of the kind 
in the county. He had leased the water privilege 
for ten years but the year before the ex|)iralion of 
the lease, during a freshet, the whole affair was 
swept awaj- by the ice, causing him considerable 
loss. 

In 1857, we again find Mr. Hanson upon the 
bosom of the briny deep, but after a short visit 
spent in renewing acquaintances of former years 
and in viewing the scenes of his childhood he re- 
turned to his Iowa home. It vvas agreed that 
David Heron should build a grist mill and .Mr. 
Hanson erect a woolen mill on Brush Creek on the 
same site, each to be lun by steam power and the 
latter carried on business at the place designated 
until within the last few years, since which time he 
has lived a retiied life. People came to trade 
with him not only from all over Jefferson County 
but also throughout adjoining counties. He be- 
came widely known for his honorable dealings and 
the promptness with which he ;lispatched business 
and therefore received a liberal patron.age. He 
worked hi»rd and was ever found at tlie post of 
duty ; during the busy season he would go for 
weeks without retiring to his bed, snatching a few 
moments for rest as he could. It is not to be 
wondered therefore that he succeeded in accumu- 
lating a goodly share of this world's goods. 

In 1871, ]\Ir. Hanson was united in marri.age 
with Caroline Nelson, a native of Sweden, born on 
the 4th of September. 1831. When a young 
woman she came alone to the United States and 



PORTRAIT AND HIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



483 



took up her resirlence in .leffei-soii Count3'. Four 
children have hcpii Imin of tliis iiiarriage, two sons 
and two d!iu'j;litc'rs, (ioorge :iiid .lohii W. beiiisi; the 
oldest and jonngcst of the fimiily. The daiigiiteis 
are Ida M. and Laura. Mr.s. Hanson is a member 
of tiie Swedish Lutlieran Chiivcli and in polities 
Mr. Hanson is a Ucpuhlifaii. lie is one of the old 
settlers of the county and deserves a place in this 
volume devoted to their inemory. lie has been a 
resideul of Iowa during its entire existence as a 
State, has been a witness of its growtli. has been 
promiuentlv connected witii its l)usiness interests 
and. as all citizens should do, has labored for the 
success of its worthy enter[)rises. 



^- 



E^ 




if'^ir^llOM A'> U. DYE, a snbstanti.al farmer and 
stock-raiser of section 12, Jackson Town- 
shii). aiid a representative citizen of \':\n 
Buren County, has been a resident of Iowa from 
his birth. Tlie family is of Irish descent, and w.ns 
established in America in Colonial days, many of 
its members becoming residents of New York. The 
paternal grandfather of onr subject grew to man- 
hood, w.is married, and reared a family of children 
in the Empire State. Later in life he emigrated to 
Ohio, where he died in 18G4, at the very advanced 
age of ninety-seven years. His wife died a few 
years previous. The father of our subject was 
born in Noble County, then Morgan Count}-. Ohio, 
in 1821, and the days of his boyhood and youth 
were spent at the parental home in the Buckeye 
State. The year 184,'j witnessed the celebration of 
his marriage to Miss Sarali Buskirk, also a native 
of Ohio. Soon after their marriage, they sought a 
home beyond the Mississippi, choosing as a loca- 
tion Wapello County, in the Territory of Iowa, but 
in 1846, they removed to Davis County, where on 
the 27th of June, 1847, our subject first opened his 
eyes to the light of d.ay. The following year the 
death of Mr. Dye occurred. HaviTig been altlicted 
with while swelling, it was thought probable that 
he would recover, his limb was am|)ulated, but 



death came in the midst of the surgical operation. 
His remains lie buriyd in the cemetery of Lebanon, 
an<l a handsome monument marks the last resting 
place of the luisliaud and fatlier, who will never be 
forgotten by the children wlui were the recipients 
of his loving care and kindness. 

In 1850, his widow married (ieorge .Smith, and 
came to \an liurcn County, where Thomas was 
reared to ujanhood. As the schools of a new county 
are ratlier primitive in character, tiie educational 
advantages which our subject received, were neces- 
sarily limited, liul observation and reailiiig in sub- 

I sequent years have made him a well-informed man. 

! He chose the occupalion of his father as his life 
work, and has carried on farming with most excel- 
lent success, winning a competence which now num- 
bers hiiu among the well-to-do citizens of the 
county. His first purchase of land consisteil of 
seventy acres which ho operated until 187"), when 
he sold out and reinovei to California, lint two 
years of farm life in that Stale convinced him that 
in his opinion Iowa w.as preferable for a home. Re- 
turning then to Van Buren County-, he once more 
resumed his agricultural i)uisuils. He purchased 
from his step-father the old homestead, and began 
life in earnest, determined to secure a fair share of 
the worhl's goods, and provide a comfortable home 
for himself and family. The boundaries of Ids 
farm have been extended until from a tract of 
ninety-one acres, it has been increased until it coin- 
(irises three hundred and twenty-seven acres of iis 
fine land ns can be found in Southeastern Iowa. 
The entire amount is under cultivation, yielding a 
ready return for the care and labor bestowed upon 
it, while many improvements add to the value of 
the place, inclu<ling a comfortable residence, barns 
and outbuildings, and everything necessary for the 
care of bis stock and grain. His fair dealing and 
upright life have won him a place in the esteem of 
his neighbors and townsmen, and he is one of the 
county's representative citizens. 

A marriage ceremony performed in 1872. united 
the destinies of Thomas Dye and Hattle Kays, 
daughter of Martin and Mary J. Kays, natives of 
New Jersey, who with tlM>ir family came to Iowa 
during the ye.ir 18,^8. Mr. Kays has .assisted in 
the growth and prosperity of the county, ami is 



436 



PORTRAIT AND lUOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



numbered iimoii^ its early seltlers. 1 lie \\\ir ul 
our suliject was born in New Jersey, on the 1 Uli of 
A|>ril. Is.Vi. and llieir marriage was blessed witii 
four children, but only two are now living: Alta, 
llie eldest, died in infancy; and Harry, the third 
child, died at the .age of eight years; Charlie and 
Amy are still with their parents. 

Mr. Dye and his wife are members of the Metho- 
dist Church of (antril, and are faithful workers in 
the Master's vineyard, lie also holds membership 
iu Apollo Lodge, No. 461, A. F. <fe A. M., and in 
Prairie (icm Lodge, of the Knights of Pythias. He 
is an ardent Repuldican in politics, and does all in 
his power to promote the welfare, and insure the 
success of his party, lie is a member of the Can- 
Iril District School Board, recently elected. Dur- 
ing the adminislialion of this Board, the}- have 
erected the handsome school building which stands 
as a monument to the enterprise and progressive 
spirit of its fcninders. Anything pertaining to the 
county's welfare, receives the hearty support and 
co-operation of Mr. Dye, and as a valued citizen 
of the county, we gladl_v insert his sketch in this 
history. 



>'-S^<y^-~ 



-»-^4^°^— "^ 



''AMES T. SNIDER, veterinarj- surgeon of 
Lelianon, Iowa, was born in Jefferson County, 
Ind., November 2, 1828. He traces his an- 
cestry back through several generations to a 
Mr. Snider, a gentleman of Scottish birth, who left 
his native land in the early part of the eighteenth 
century, and, braving the dangers of an ocean voy- 
age, came to America. He was the great-grandfa- 
ther of our subject, and in the Revolutionary AVar 
he took an active part as a member of the Colonial 
forces, while his son John, the grandfather of our 
subject served in the War of 1812. Since the land- 
ing of the progenitor of the family in America, his 
descendants have been numbered among Virginia's 
citizens. In 1804, in that State, John Snider, fa- 
ther of the Doctor, was born. He w.as reared to 



nianhood in Virginia, where he followed farming 
and shoemaking in pursuit of fortune for some 
years. In 1826, he married Jane Walker, who was 
born in Ohio, in 1812, and was a daughter of Da- 
vid Walker, a native of Ireland, They became the 
parents of nine children, of whom seven are yet 
living, as follows: James T., of this sketch; Fran- 
cis M., a resident of Elk Horn County, Neb.; Silas 
A., who is living in AVayne County, Iowa; Samuel, 
of Grand County, Colo.; Elizabeth C, widow of 
Emery Glass, of Sumner County, Kan.; Cynthia, 
wife of Isaac Babb, a resident of the Indian Terri- 
tory; Jane, wife of Israel Salters, whose home is in 
Appanoose County, Iowa. With his family ;\Ir. 
Snider emigrated Westward in 1843. He chose the 
Territory of Iowa as the scene of his future labors, 
and located in Van Buren County. He took an ac- 
tive interest in the political affairs <jf the commu- 
nity, supporting the Reijublican party, and was 
accounted one of the leading citizens of the neigh- 
borbooii. 

In the usual manner of farmer lads, James T. 
Snider spent his boyhood days, in which no event 
of special importance occurred. As the schools in 
a new settlement are not of a very advanced grade 
the educational advantages which he received were 
limited. The summer of 1846, he spent in the 
Western wilils of Iowa and Nebraska, making his 
home among the Indians, until 18o0,wlien he crossed 
the plains, following the army of gold hunters en 
route for California. Such a journey was not unat- 
tended by great risk and peril, and the train to 
which Mr. Snider belonged, encountered Ihc Co- 
manche Indians in two ver\' severe engagements, in 
which several of the white men were wounded. The 
Indians suffered considerable loss, and only gave up 
the fight at the killing of their chief, who fell at 
the hands of our subject. At length the putty 
reached Hanglown, Cal., and Mr. Snider made a 
location in Diamond Springs, Placer County, where 
ho engaged in the grocery business with good suc- 
cess, and also followed mining for eighteen months. 
He then returned to Iowa, somewhat richer than 
when he started. The return journey was made by 
way of the Islbtnus of Panama, during which he 
spent some lime in sight-seeing on the Isthmus aud 
on the Island of Hayti, In December, he landed 



POKTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALHUM. 



437 



at New York City, and continued his journey 
lioiiiowar(), wiiere he at lengtii arrived, after liav- 
intj traveled across ttie entire country, and around 
it. Mr. Snider then engaged in liuyin!i;and silling 
horses until IH.jC), when he embarked in the mercau- 
tilf business in Lebanon, in whieli line he continued 
until LSGO, when he bej^an traveling over the coun- 
try .as a peddler. Later he engaged in the hotel 
business, but in the spring of 1864, he laid .aside 
business pursuits, feeling that his country needed 
his services. 

On the 4th of .lannary, 1864. hcenlisted in Com- 
pany (i. Third Iowa Cavalry, serving under Cnpl. 
John Stiger, while Col. .1. W. Noble commanded 
the regiment. After participating in the battle of 
Memphis, Mr. Snider was placed on detached duty. 
and stationed at Little Rock. .\rk. His two broth- 
ers, Frank and Silas were also in the service, being 
members of Company G, Tliirty-Sixth Iowa Infan- 
try. At the close of the war he was mustered out, 
and received his discharge August 19. 186.5. after 
which he returneil to his home in Iowa. He then 
took up his present profession, that of veterinary 
surger\', which he has since continued. He has 
gained a wide reputation in the line of his present 
business, and his large practice yields him a good 
income. He has a host of friends won by his hon- 
est dealings, fair treatment and ability. 

In 1854, Mr. Snider was united in marriage with 
Klizabelh A. Wilson, a native of Ohio, who dieil in 
1872, leaving one child, a daughter, !Mary,Iane, who 
died in 1887. Mr.Snider was again married in 1874, 
his second union being with Martha Jane Harris, 
daughter of Siephen au<l Elizabeth (I'urcell) Har- 
ris, ^ho arc numbered among the pioneer settlers 
of Van Buren County of 18."}6. The father was 
born September 3, 1799, in Pennsylvania, and his 
marriage was celebrated May 31, 1827. Twelve 
children were born of tlie union, but only three are 
now living. The father died February 4, 1847, and 
the mother p.nssed away December 19, 1878. Mr. 
and Mrs. Snider hare no children of tlieii own, but 
are rearing an adopted daughter. Klizabeth Kellar. 

In his political afliliations. Dr. Suiiler is a sup- 
porter of the Democracy. He has hehl several lo- 
cal otlices of trust, was Constable for a number of 
years, two years hlled the position of Justice of the 



Pe.ace, after which he acted as Assessor, and ie now 
Township Commissioner. He is also President of 
the Lebanon Cemetery Association, Past^Master of 
Keosaucpia Loilge. No. 9, A. F. <t A. M., and a 
Trustee in the Methoilist Episcopal Church. He 
has witnessed almost the entire growth of Van 
Huron County, and on the list of its honored early 
settlers his name is enrolled. 



PA\ ID K. CALIKHN is another of the rep- 
) resentative citizens of Van Buren County 
^ who devotes his time and attention to agri- 
cultural pursuits. Ills home is on section 1.0, 
Union TownshI,), where a farm of two hundred 
acres furnished with all modern improvements, pays 
tribute to the care an<l cultivation he bestows upon 
it. The entire surroundings indicate the thrift 
and enterprise of the owner, and as a worthy citi- 
zen of the community his sketch Is deserving a 
place in the volume of his county's history'. 

The Calhoun family is of Scotch extraction but 
the grandparents of our subject were born in Ire- 
land, whence in childhood they emigrated to 
Pennsylvania where they were married. William 
Calhoun, father of David, was born in Westmore- 
land County, Pa., April 10, 1804, and in his youth 
he learned the wheelwright's trade, which he fol- 
lowed until after his marriage to Miss Mary Tor- 
rence, who was born in Westmoreland Count}-, 
October 7, 1804. She too was of Scotch Irish de- 
scent and was a sister of Col. William M. Tor- 
rcnce of the Thirtieth Iowa Infantry. Mr. Calhoun 
and his family- turned their faces toward the setting 
sun and traveling westward at length maile a loca- 
tion upon the farm which is now the home of 
David K. Calhoun. Both parents were believers 
in the Presbyterian doctrine an<l consistent mem- 
bers of the church. The husband died October 8, 
1872. and on February 18, 1887, Mrs. Calhoun 
passed away. The five children of their family 
are Mis. Elizabeth S. I'liilllps. whose home is In 
•'ennsyivania; .Mrs. Mary C. Gordon of Fairfield; 



438 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Siinuicl .J., a farniL'i- and teacher of Nebraska; Mrs. 
Maruaret Hill of Jefferson Connty, lona; and 
David K. 

Tlie last naine'l, whose liistory is of interest to 
our readers, was born in Westmoreland County, 
Pa.. March 0, 1812, and when a lad of .sixteen 
years came to this county. He is numl)ered among 
the boys in blue of Company I, Nineteenth Iowa 
Infantry, with whom he enrolled his name on the 
i;Uli of August, 1862. Until the followinji^summer 
they operated in .Southern .Missouri. He had been 
coiilined in llie hospital in Springlicid, Mo., when 
Marinaduke made his raid on tliat city but when 
volunteers were called foi in the hospital, he. wiili 
otliers. at once shouldered his musket and marched 
to the defense of the town. From there he went 
to Vicksburg, and with his regiment took part in 
its siege an<l ca|)ture. Following this occurred the 
IJIack River E.Kpedition in which he took part, 
llu'u came the battle of Port Hudson, after which 
they were ordered to Morganza, where the Nine- 
teenth Iowa and Twenl3--si.Ktli Indiana, together 
with a small force of cavalry were sent to Sterl 
iiigs Farm, about half way between the opposing 
lines. Hy a circuitous route they were cut off 
from reinforcements, and for more lliaii two hours 
with an effective force f)f about four hundred and 
fifty men llii'V kept in check the enemy who ten to 
one out-nuuihcred them. .Mr. Calhoun was on 
pi^'ket duty at the time of the attack. All were 
taken prisoners and after marcliing all day long 
they were ke|>t in Slircvesport for twenty hours 
without [jrovisions; all sparable articles were given 
to hucksters for food. They were then marched to 
Tyler, Te.\., where they were kept in stockade 
without shelter and when winter came were sent 
back to Shieveiiort. In March, they were once 
nioie hurried back to Tyler. Te.\., then soon after- 
wards again started for .Shreveport, but wore re- 
turned to Tyler. Finally, however, they were 
taken to Shreveport and exchanged on the 22d 
of July, 1864, having been held in captivity from 
the 29th of February, preceding. Mr. Callioun 
then went with his comrades to New Orleans, where 
he received good clothing and food. .Some weeks 
later the regiment was again formed and went to 
Ft. Barancas, Fla., after which the troops partici- 



pated in the capture of Spanish Fort and Mobile. 
Our subject was discharged at Mobile, Ala.. .Inly 
1(1, 1865, after three years of hard service on 
southern battle fields. He was quite fortuuiite, 
however, in receiving no wound of any kind. 

On the 19tli of November, 1868. Mr. Calhoun 
was united in marriage with Miss Emma Travis 
who was born in Indiana County, Pa., June 12, 
1849, and is a daughter of Martin 15. and Isabella 
(Brown) Travis. Her father was born in the Key- 
stone State, July 22, 1805. but his wife was a native 
of Ireland, born Se|)tember 18, 1811. and brought 
to this country during her infancy. They were 
married in Pennsylvania where her death occurred 
.September ;3, 18,j4. Subsequently he married Cathe- 
rine Redman and emigrated to Shelby County, 
III., where he died September 3, 1865. 

Mrs. Calhoun was one of eight children, five of 
whom are living, three sons and two daughters. 
.She came to this county in 1805. and by her mar- 
riage four children have been born — Iv Birdie, wife 
of Jesse Bonnette, of Union Township, Van Buren 
Count}-; Mar}' Luella, Johnson B. and Lillie B. 
The parents are members of the Presbytciian 
Cliurcli and since their nuirriage have resided upon 
the farm which is yet their home. He is a Repub- 
lican in politics and belongs to Newell Post, (j. A. 
R., in which he has held the office of Chaplain. '-A 
good name is rather to be chosen than great riches" 
says the wise man, and assuredly Mr. Calhoun has 
that valuable possession for he is one of \'au Buren 
County's trusted .and honored citizens. 



OHN LOCKE came to Fairfield, Jefferson 
County, Iowa, in the fall of 1854, and has 
remained as a farmer and beekeeper till the 
present time, in the southern part of Jeffer- 
son County. 

He is a native of County Antrim, near Larne, 
Ireland. Was born August 13, 1829. He was 
married December 28. 1853, to Mary McDowell, 
of the same place. The issue of said uiarriage. 




^^;^ 



(SZ,e>C^ 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



441 



SauuK'l J^oc-ke, Mnr^' Locke, Jane Locke and Lizzie 
Locke. The first two help on the; farm ami the 
last two are teachers liy i)rofession. 

He owns a farm coiilaining two hundre'l and 
forty acres of land in a fair state of cnltivatiun. 
He has held some district and township ollices. Is 
not a politician. In rcli<;ion I'nitarian. He docs 
not think that he deserves the distinction of an 
old settler of this i)lace. j-et says that he has re- 
ceived so much geneniiis kindness from old settlers, 
both of Jefferson and Nan Buron Counties, Iowa, 
that if putting his name down for a book will per- 
petuate their good acts and their good name, he 
will willingly do so. 



, : 5g^J^i|L*ie 



OX. WILLIAM A.TADK, who lives on sec- 
ll lion 4, Harrisburg Township, is a prominent 
and intluential fnrmerof Van Buren Count3- 
and her representative in the General As 
serably of the State. Widely known, with a circle 
of friends almost innumerable, his sketch will be 
of interest to many, and we take pleasure in thus 
presenting him to tlie readers of the Album. He 
is not only now .1 resident of Iowa, but w.as born 
in the Hawkeye State, his birth occurring in Lee 
County on the 17th of September, 1841. Little 
is known concerning the early history of the fam- 
ily, except that his grandfather was a resident of 
Kentucky, whence at un early day he removed to 
Illinois. He also held a commission in the Black 
Hawk War. John Tade, father of our subject, was 
but five years of age when he accompanied his 
parents to Illinois, where he grew to manhood and 
married Martha Uavis. In 1835 he became a 
resident of Lee County, Iowa, making a location 
near Ft. Madison, in what is now Denmark Town- 
ship. He bought lanrl at the first lan^l sale in the 
Territory of Iowa ami made his home in Lee 
County until 1854, when he came to A'an Buren 
County. His Lome is now in Decatur Count\-, 
Kan. His wife dii tl in 1848, when our subject 
was a lad of some seven summers. Nine children 



were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Tade, and all grew 
to mature years, while seven are yet living, as fol- 
lows: Kwing O., a Congregational minister, now 
in charge of the church of East Grandville, Mass.; 
George W., who died while a student in Iowa Col- 
lege, in 1858; B. F., a retired farmer of Sacra- 
mento, Cal.; James A., who died from disease con- 
tracted in the late war; Susan K., wife of William 
G. Marshall, of Kansas; John D., a resident farmer 
of Decatur County, Kan.; W. A., of this sketch; 
Lottie, wife of J. B. Percival, a farmer of Harris- 
burg Township; and Mary A., now Mrs. G. K. 
Dewey, of Nebraska. 

Our suljject spent his boyhood d.ays in a manner 
common to farmer lads, alternating his time between 
labor in the fields and the perusal of the common 
branches of learning. In Otttober, 1861, when 
twenty years of age, he entered the service of his 
country .as a private of Company F, Fourteenth 
Iowa Infantry, and after being mustered in at 
Davenport, w.is, with his regiment, assigned to the 
Army of the Tennessee and sent at once to the 
front. He parlicii)ated in the engagements at Fts. 
Henry and Donelson, and at the battle of Shiloh 
was captured by the enemj-, remaining a prisoner 
for eight months, during which lime he was incar- 
cerated in Montgomery. Mobile anil Macon, and 
finally was sent to the horrible Libby Prison, where 
he was afterward paroled and exchanged. He then 
rejoined his regiment, which was stationed at Ben- 
ton Barracks, and later took part in an expedition 
to Holla, Mo., whence the troops made their w.a}- 
down the river to Cairo, III., where Mr. Tade 
served on detached duty for several months as 
river detective in the Provost Marshal department. 
While engaged in the discharge of those duties he 
was commissioned Lieutenant of an independent 
coni|)any known as the Liberia Guards, which was 
organized by Gen. Buford, and with which com- 
pany he made an expedition to Helena, Ark. At 
Little Hock, Ark., the company was merged into 
the Fi ft}' -seventh I'nited States Colored Regiment, 
and Mr. Tade was made Quartermaster and served 
in that capacity' until January. 18G6, when he was 
made Captain of the company and ordered to 
New Mexico; here he remained until December 
of the same year, when he returned to Leaven- 



442 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPIIICAI. ALBUM. 



worth, Kan., and was honorably discharged, after 
haviii!! been in ihc service conliniiall}- for more 
thun five years. During tlic entire time he was 
never known to shirk any task imposed upon him. 
but was ever faithful to his duty and tlie cause 
for whicli lie was valiantly fighting. 

Karly in tlie year 1867 Mv. Tade began the im-' 
provement of the farm on which he now lives, but 
which he had ))urchaspd some time previous. He 
now possesses a well-imiiroved farm of two hun- 
dred and five acres, divided into fields of con- 
venient size, a glance at wliicli shows to tiie ob- 
server that a man of thrift und industry has the 
management and control of the same. He is also 
a leailer among the stock-raisers of the county and 
has made a specially of Hereford cattle and .Shrop- 
shire sheep, being among the first to introduce 
both into the county. In reality he did not begin 
his business career until 18()7, and the wonderful 
progress which he has made siionld be the cause of 
pride to himself and friends. 

In June, 18(i8. Mr. Tade was united in marriage 
with Miss Sarah E. Dewey ,the union being celebrated 
in Lee County, Iowa, wliere the lady was born. 
Her parents wci'e (ieorgc H. and Cliloe U. (But- 
ler) Dewey, both natives of Massachusetts. Unto 
them were born seven clnldren, yet living — Nellie 
B., Alice C, Howard D., Orville, Kate, Lilly and 
Lola (twins), all living at home. The mother of 
this family died on the 10th of May, 1881, in the 
faitli of the Baptist Church, of which she lias been 
an active and devoted member for many years. In 
1882 he was again married, his second union being 
with Miss Nancy Dewej', a sister of his former 
wife, and unto them have been born two children 
— Willie B. and John L. Mr. and Mrs. Tade and 
the four eldest children are members of the Bap- 
tist Church, of Ilarrisburg, in which he holds the 
office of Deacon. He is an active advocate of all 
laudiible enterprises and a liberal contributor to 
benevolent and charitable institutions. Socially, 
he is a member and Past Commander of J. L. Jor- 
dan Post, G. A. R., of Hillsborough, also belono-s 
to the Farmers Alliance, being President of the 
Ilarrisburg Society, and holds membership in the 
Masonic lodge. The interest which he has taken 
in politics'has contributed nol a little to Uie suc- 



cess of his party — the Republican — in Van Buren 
County. A firm believer in its principles and one 
of its stanchest advocates, he labors for its wel- 
fare and is an influential member in its State and 
county conventions. He was honored by an elec- 
tion to the State Legislature, and displa^Mng the 
same fidelity to duty which has characterized his 
entire life, he is proving himself an eflicient and 
capable officer. He makes no hasty decisions, but, 
with the interests of tlie peo|)lc at heart, carefully 
weighs all subjects which come before the Assem- 
bly for settlement, and his judgments are therefore 
unbiased and have the stamp of a true and loj'al 
citizen upon them. 



saHH |g): 8HB E 



^if^iURNUM .SAUNDERS CALHOUN, one of 
the early settlers of Van Buren Countv, 
engaged in farming on section 21, Union 
Township, was born in Holmes County. Ohio, July 5, 
1838, his parents being Newton and Esther (Saun- 
ders) Calhoun. His grandfather. David Calhoun, a 
gentleman of Scotch-Irish descent, emigrated froin 
Beaver County. Pa., to Holmes County. ( )hio, about 
1816. but further than this little is known concern- 
ing the early histori' c)f the family. At the time of 
the removal. Newton Calhoun, who was born May 19, 
1809, was in his eighth year. He w.as reared among 
the wild scenes of that heavih- timbered country 
and in his youth was inured to hardships, while 
into his mind were instilled lessons of industry. 
His scholastic training was very limited indeed. 
Before attaining his majority, he was married on 
the 8th of April, 1830, to .Matilda Saunders, who 
was born October 16. l.sil. and bj- whom he had 
three cliildren, one of whom died in infancy, while 
George and Thomas are farmers of Scotland 
Countv, Ato. His wife died Keliruary 12, 1836, 
and on the 18th of October, of the same year he 
wedded Esther Saunders, sister of his first wife, 
who was a native of New York .State, but when 
two years of .age removed with her parents to 
Holmes County. Ohio. She was born .\pril 5, 1815. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



u.s 



Her father followed the sea for some years and sev- 
cnil of his brothers were either owners or masters of 
vessels. 

Newloii Calhoun cleared a fairii in Ohio. lie 
was a man of great pluck and energy as is shown 
by the fact that when about twenty-six years of 
age a tree fell upon him, injurina him severely, but 
upon his knees lie cleared several acresof land. lie 
was a man of powerful phj'sique and after he was 
seventy-five years of .age he drove a sled three 
miles, cut two cords of wood, leaving the butts for 
rails, and hauled one cord home at night. 

Thinking to better his financial condition by a 
removal further westward, with a fonr-horse team 
he brought his family to Van Buren County, 
arriving in the month of May, 1K39. On section 
17, Union Township, he located land, paying $1,000 
for a three hundred and tweut}' acre claim which 
he then had to enter from the government. Four 
poles held the claim but not an improvement had 
been made thereon. Tie cut logs, piled them one 
above another in the form of a house, secured clap- 
boards from which he formed the roof and the 
same d.ay moved into his cabin. He was an enter- 
prising man and soon built a brick horse, one of 
the best in thf country. He was not a marked 
success as a financier, but he reared a family who 
became useful citizens and by his own efforts did 
not a little to advance the interests of the com- 
munity. His second wife died .September 1 7, 1878. 
Nine children were born of that union, six of 
wliora are living — ^'urnum of this sketch ; Newton 
L.. a resident farmer of Van Buren County; Ross 
who is engaged in the mercantile and re.al-estatt 
business in Ness City, Kan. ; John C. who was 
killed by lightning when sixteen 3'ears of nge. 
James T.. proprietor of a hotel in Ness Cit}', Kan.; 
Orange S. who died .it the age of ten j'cars; .Smith 
P. who died when four years of age; Nathan .S.. 
County Clerk, cf Ness County, Kan.; and ]\(rs. R. 
M. Bonnette. Mr. Calhoun was a third time 
married in 1881. the lady of his choice being Belle 
Barker. Unto them was born a daughter. Mar}'. 
Mr. Calhoun hus been a life-long Methodist, served 
as Class-Leader for many years, has given liberally 
in support of the Gospel and has lived a consistent 
Christian life. The mother of our subject was 



also a member of that church, and wa» a lu.lv ..i 
more than ordinary abilit}-, being well informed 
on political questions and other subjects of inter- 
est. Believing the abolition principles to be of 
the utmost importance she influenced not a few to 
her w.iy of thinking. The home of Mr. and Mrs. 
Calhoun was a sintion on the Underground Kail- 
w.ay and when the Republic.in party was formed 
to prevent the further extension of slavery, he was 
one of the first to espouse its cause. He is now an 
old man who at farthest can live but a few years 
longer, but his life h.as been well spent in the ser- 
vice of him whom he recognizes as Master and an 
influence for good will remain long after he h.as 
passed away. 

Our subject is the eldest of the family of nine 
children and therefore much of the labor of the 
farm devolved upon him. He remained at home 
until the spring of 18(!2, when he went to California 
by way of New York and the Isthmus of Panama, 
where he prospected a little but mostly worked on 
ranches. The following year he returned by way 
of the Isthmus, being the first to re establish the 
line broken by the bandit Walker. Previous to 
this time he had operated a threshing machine and 
his services were in great demand, having in fact 
to refuse manj' who would have emploj'cd him had 
he the opportunity to perform their work. On his 
return from California, he again resumed this bus- 
iness, which he followed successfully for some 
twelve years, after which for some three j'ears, he 
was employed by the Government to bale hay. 

V. S. Calhoun and Miss Nancy Sprakcr, a 
native of Indiana, were united in n>arriage, on the 
3d of November, 1870. .She was eight years of 
age when she came to this count}* and after five 
years of happy wedde<l life she died iSepteniber 20. 
1875, in the faith of the Methodist Church, of 
which she was a consistent member. On the 17tli 
of February. Mr. Calhoun wedderl Emma K. 
Fleming, who was born in Brown Count}-, Ohio, 
February 10, 18,j2. but was reared in Pennsylvania 
until fourteen years of age. when in 18(;6 she 
came to Iowa. They have two children, sons. 
Vurnum .S. and John N. 

Mr. Calhoun devoted his time and altenlion hi 
the operation of his excellent farm of two hundred 



444 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



nnd fifty acres and to tlie raising and shipping of 
stock. He keeps on liand onl}' tlic best grades 
and these he hns in considerahle numbers. Twice 
has lie led the Chicago market with stock of his 
own feeding. In politics ho is a Republican and 
cast his first vote for President Lincoln. For more 
than half a century he has lived in this county, 
has witnessed its growth and |)rogress and aided in 
its development. Through the greater part of 
that lime he has been identified with its agricul- 
tural interests and in the promotion of its enter- 
prises he has borne his share. He is accounted a 
good citizen and ranks among the well-to-do 
farmers of I'nion Township. 



-^—^—^ 



^^EORGE CRAINE, an early settler and 
III ,— . prominent business man of Fairlield. now 
^^ij! deceased, was born near HoUidaysburg, Pa., 
January 16. 1814, and was the son of Abram and 
Maria (Kmeigh) Craine. In hisyoulh he received 
a common school education and learned the car- 
penter's trade, after which he started westward to 
seek his fortune. In 18-'i(). he became a resident of 
Sangamon County, 111., where he formed the 
acquaintance of Miss Nancy J. Kardin, and their 
friendship ripening into love the)' were married in 
1841. Tiic lady was born in Adair County, Ky., 
her parents being Asa and Elizabeth (Taylor) 
Hardin. In 1842, Mr. Craine and his young wife 
cast their lot with the early settlers of the Territory 
of Iowa, becoming residents of Iowa City, but a 
year later they made a location in Fairfield. Ten 
children were born unto them, 3ve sons and five 
daughters. Tiie eldest, George January, was born 
in Iowa City, and died at the age of two months. 
'I'lie birth of the others occurred after the removal 
of the parents to Fairfield. Alice E., the second 
child, is still a resident of her luitive city; Laura 
Irene, became the wife of J. E. Roth and died in 
March, 1888, at the age of forty-one years; Maria 
Elizabeth and Abrani Asa were twins, but the 
latter lived only one day, and the former died at 



flie .age of a year; Maria Louise died, aged three 
years; Edward Walton wedded Susan Eckert and is 
living in Missouri Valley, I(>wa : Benjamin Taylor 
died .at the age of two years: Mannie Eliza is un- 
married and resides in Fairfield; and ( Iconic 
Hardin, the youngest, who also makes his home in 
that city, wedded Miss Virginia I. Davidson. 

On removing from Iowa City to Fairfield, Mr. 
Craine engaged in merchandising, whicli- he con- 
tinued until 18;)8, when he went to Colorado, 
taking with him the first quartz mill ever intro- 
duced into that territoiy. He made several jour- 
ne\ s back and forth between Fairfield and Colorado, 
and was connecteil with mining operations in that 
State for more than ten years, but continued his 
home in I'airficld throughout that time. About 
1868, he engaged in operating a sawmill in Jeffer- 
son County, and two years later became exten- 
sively' eng.aged in contracting and building in 
Fairfield. He erected the first brick dwelling 
house in tliat city, which is now occupied by JNIrs. 

' F]liza Eckert, and in the prosecution of his trade 
was largely instrumental in the upbuilding of 
Fairfield. In the course of his operations as a 
builder he erected a large proportion of the prin- 
cipal business houses facing the public square, as 
well as many of the other public buildings in the 
city, and numerous [irivate residences. He was a 

1 man of indomitable energy and enterprise, a 

I thorough mechanic and an industrious worker. 

' In politics Mr. Craine was a Whig in early life 
and joined the Republican party on its organization, 
being an earnest and stanch supporter of his parly 
principles. For several years he served acceptably 
as an alderman on the F'airfield City Council. His 
wife, whose death occurred January 9lli, 1888, was 
a member of the Presbyterian C^hurch and a most 
exemplary wife and mother. Mr. Craine also at- 
tended the same church, but ditl not hold member- 
ship therein. He was much interested in the 
Masonic order, having been initialed into the 
mysteries of Clinton Lodge, A. F. it A. M. of Fair- 
field on the liHli of November, 186(1, and was a 
true and faithful member in good standing at the 
time of his death, which occurred on the 24th of 
October, 1881t, after a short illness. He was a man 
of an inventive turn of mind and perfected several 



PORTRAIT AND BIOORAPHICAL ALBUM. 



41.': 



useful inventions, among which was a shingle- 
malving machine and a planer. As a citizen, lie was 
piil)lic-s|)iiitc(l and took a warm interest in llie 
weifaie of his lionie. city and county. His entire 
course in life was characterizetl bj' llie strictest in- 
tegrity, a gpninl cordi.'ilily and sincerity of jiiir- 
pose tiiat won him the deep and lasting reg.ird of 
the most worthy people of his acquaintance. 



E.^ 




,^i<=^KORGE II. C'RAINK, late trusted enijiloye 
of the lirm of -J. E. Roth & Co., of Fair- 
field, and one of the representative men of 
tlie city, was horn on the 7th of October, 1860, in 
Fairfield, an;l is a son of George and Nancy (Har- 
din) Craine. His early life passed uneventfully. 
His p-imary education was acquired in the public 
schools, and supplemented by a course in Parsons 
College, after which he entered upon his business 
career, at the age of seventeen years, as a salesman 
in a mercantile establishment of his native cit^'. 
With the exception of about three years he has 
continued to serve in that capacitj- in Fairfield. 

On the 22d of April, 1884, in Madison. Ind., 
Mr. Craine was united in marriage with Miss Vir- 
ginia Idell Davidson, a native of Madison County, 
and a daughter of William W. and Anna M. Da- 
vidson. She is a Iad3- of culture and refinement, 
and in the years of her residence in Fairfield has 
won man^' warm friends. After his marriage Mr. 
Craine located in this citj-, but in 1886 went to 
Minneapolis, Minn., where he spent some two years 
eng.aged in merchandising. Previous to that time 
he had also spent one year in Missouri Valley 
Junction, Iowa, in the office of the .Sioux Git}' & 
P.Hcific Railroad Companj-, but with these excep- 
tions his home has always been in the city of bis 
birth. On returning to Fairfield, in 1888, he en- 
tered the employ of .1. E. Roth A- Co. His careful 
altentiuii to his business, his fidelity to the inter- 
ests of the establishment, and his prompt and cour- 
teous treatment of the patrons of the store, have 
won for him the coiifideiice and regard of his em- 



ployers and the respect of all with whom he has 
come in cont.ict. Those who have known Mr. 
Craine from his boyhood are numbered among his 
warmest friends — a fact which indicates that his 
life has been a useful and honorable one. 

In his jiolilical afliliations our subject is a sup- 
porter of Rei)ublican principles, having voted with 
that part^' siiK^e attaining his majority, and in his 
.social relations he is a member of the Knights of 
Pythias. Both Mr. Craine and his wife are mem- 
-bers of the Christian Church, and he is active and 
infiuential in all matters pertaining to the church 
and the promotion of its interests. Other worthy 
interests also receive his hearty support, and the 
community finds in him a useful and valued citi- 
zen. 

Mr. Craine has removed to Minneapolis, Minn., 
August 28, 1890, to take charge of the cloak de- 
partment in the large drj'-goods establishment of 
Segelbaum Bros., of Nos. 257 and 25y Nicollet 
Avenue. 



ENRV (.'. MILLER, whose home is on sec- 
jj' tion 27. Farmington Township. \'an Bureii 
County, devotes his energies to farming and 
// stock raising. His chaiacteristic energy 
and ability have made him one of the progressive 
farmers of the community, and it is with pleasure 
that we record his sketch in this volume. He was 
born on the 26th of September, 1848, in St. Louis 
County, Mo., and was of German descent. His 
father, Adam Miller, was born in Kour Hessen, 
(iermany. in 1820, and when a lad of fourteen 
summers accompanied his parents on their emigra- 
tion to the I'uiled States. Becoming a resident of 
St. Louis County, M;>., he there formed the ac- 
quaintance of Miss Elizabeth .Smith, who was born 
in Hesse- Darmstadt. (Jermany, in 1821. She too 
came with her parentjs to America, being then six- 
teen years of age. The acquaintance of thej'oung 
couple ripened into love, they were married and 
began their domestic life in St, Louis County, Mo., 



446 



PORTKAIT AND BIOGRAI'IIK AL ALBUM. 



whiTe for a lime Mi-. Miller was employed as a 
leaclier of Ijolli Knglish anil German, hut farming 
was his principal occupation. In 1854 he removed 
with his family- to Lee County, Iowa, and three 
years later became a resident of Des Moines 
County, where he died August 24, 1889. By his j 
ballot he supported the principles of the Repub- 
lican party, and religiously, he was a member of 
the Evangelical Church, to which his wife also be- 
longs. .She is still living and makes her home with 
her children. 

Our subject is the fourth in a family of nine 
children, seven of whom are yet living. Amiil 
play and work on his father's farm his boyhood 
days were spent, and he was educated in both the 
Knglish and (!erman languages. He worked at 
home until he had attained his majority, when his 
father knowing that he would then wish to begin 
life for himself, gave him forty acres of laud. He 
begun farming on his own responsibility, and has 
carried on that occupation continuously' since with 
good success. As a helpmate on his life's journey 
he chose Miss Minnie llonlzel, a native of Lee 
County, Iowa, born ■laiiuary l.'t, lis,').'), and a daugh- 
ter of Christian and Christina (Kike) Ilentzel, both 
of whom were natives of Hanover, Germany, the 
former horn in 1813, and the latter in 181i3. Hav- 
ing married, they resided in the old countrj' 
until 1854, when they determined to seek a home 
in the United States. They made a settlement on 
a farm in Lee County, Iowa, where for man}' years 
they cOLilinucd to reside, but both have now passed 
away, the death of Mr. Ilentzel occurring in 1881, 
while his wife was called home in 1887. In their 
family were four children, two of whom are yet 
living. The parents were members of the Evan- 
gelical Church, and .Mr. Ilent/.el was a Democrat 
in |)olitics. 

The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Miller w-u eele- 
braled March S, 1877, and they at oi;ce took up 
their residence upon their present farm, which com- 
prises three hundred and seven acres of arable 
land, furnished with good buildings and supplied 
with all necessary improvements. Their home has 
been gladdened by tlie presence of five interesting 
children, as follows: Loiii H., Loucllah M., Ksther 
31., Allan) W. »nd Aura J. Both Mr. and Mrs. 



."Miller are members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, and in the Master's vineyard are faithful 
workers. He has served as .Steward and Trustee, 
and also gives liberally to the support of the 
Gospel. 



^=^ K. TEN EYCK, one of the honored pioneers 
III (— , and a self-made man of Van Buren County, 
^^^ residing on section 3G, Chequest Township, 
has for forty-five years made his home in this 
community. He has been a witness of the greater 
part of the growth and progress of the county and 
has been identified with its growth and develop- 
ment. 

On the paternal side Jlr. Ten Kyck traces his 
ancestry back to Holland. His grandparents, the 
founders of the family in America, left their native 
land and settled in this countr}' prior to the Revo- 
lutiiinary War. On the matern;d side he is of Irish 
descent. The parents of his mother during the Irish 
Revolution fied to this country and located in 
Schoharie County, N. Y., in early Colonial da^-s. 
Thc3' spent the remainder of their lives in the Km- 
pire State and the husband served in the French 
and Indian War. 

Christopher Ten Eyck, the father of our subject, 
was a native of Albanj' County, N. Y., and through- 
out his entire life followed farming in that Stale. 
He niarrierl Polly Kennedy, also a native of Albany 
County, whose death occurred in 1826. He died 
some twenty-four years later in 1850. Of their 
four children, three are j-et living: Thomas, a resi- 
dent of Rensselaer County, N. Y.; G. K., of this 
sketch, and Mrs. Ellen JMorris, of Frankfort, Ind. 

The boyhood days of our subject were spent in 
the vicinity of Albany, N. Y. Not content with 
the limited education which he had acquired in the 
district schools, while learning the trade of a car- 
penter and joiner he attended night school in that 
cit}", thereby adding not a little to his store of 
knowledge. The studious and enterprising habits 
of those years have characterized bis entire lifean<l 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



44; 



lie yet keeps himself well informed oil matters of 
general interest. His term of apprenticcsliip to his 
chosen trade having expired, he followed that pur- 
suit in Albany and vicinity for several years, liut 
at length he came to the West to try his fortune 
upon its broad prairies. In 1S46 he purchased two 
hundred acres of raw land and began the <levelop- 
ment of a farm, lie was then a single man. but 
after having made some preparations for a honie, 
in 1847 he retur.ned to his native Stale, where was 
awaiting him a lady who had promised him her 
hand in marriage. The wedding of Mr. Ten Kyck 
and Miss Christina M. Hink was then celebrated 
and with his bride he returned to Iowa. Her par- 
ents, Philip and Mary (Harrington) I'.ink, were 
natives of New York and of German descent. Of 
this marriage three children were horn, all of whom 
are decc-jsed. 

The young couple began their domestic life upon 
a farm in Chequest Township, which at one time 
comprised three hundred acres, but it now em- 
braces one hundred and fortj- acres of highly cul- 
tivated Land, he having disposed of the remaining 
porlioif. In 1849 he went to St. Louis, where he 
spent one year working at his trade, but with that 
exception lie has continuously made his home in 
Van Buren C'ounty since 1846. He has carried on 
agricultural pursuits and also done considerable 
carpentering, by which means he has acquired a 
good propertj' which now places him in comforta- 
ble circumstances. 

Mr. Ten Eyek was called upon to mourn the loss 
of his wife in 1854. and in 185(1, in Van Buren 
County, he wedded Rosannah Elizabeth Sellers, a 
native of Indiana, and a daughter of Benjamin 
Sellers. Both her parents died in Indiana. By 
this union has been born four children, three of 
whom are deceased; the one living, Oliver E., mar- 
ried Mary Vincent, daughter of S. E. Vincent, and 
is now engaged in ter.ching school in this county. 
Mr. and Mrs. Ten Eyek have a pleasant home situ- 
ated only a short distance from Lebanon, in fact 
that town was buill upon a part of his farm. They 
are liighly respected throughout the community, 
and their home is the abode of hospitalil}-. Mr. 
Ten Eyek is a Democrat in politics and is a mem- 
ber of the School Board. Tbe cause of education 



finds in him a warm friend, and he has donu effect- 
ive service fur her interests. Large-hearted and 
liberal, he is a friend to the poor and needy and 
his has been the helping hand stretched out to 
many who, hail it not been for his timely aid, would 
doubtless have been involved in bankriiplcv. At 
one time he bid in a farm that ••■as sold at a sher- 
iff's sale and thus gave the previou." owner a chance 
to redeem his home. His life is made up of such 
commendable acts as that, and in consequence he 
has won the lasting regard and respect of those 
wiih whom he has been brought in contact. 



ON. THOMAS MOORMAN, deceased, an 
■jj early settler and honored citizen of Jef- 
ferson County, was born in Ohio on 
the 7th of September, 1809, his pa- 
rents being Charles and Elizabeth Moorman. 
In the county of his nativity he was reared 
to manhood and learned the trade of manu- 
facturing saddletrees, which business he followed 
for some years though he made farming his prin- 
cipal occupation through life. 

In Highland County, Ohio, on the 16th of April, 
1833, Mr. Moorman was united in marriage with 
Miss Margaret C'anaday, a native of that county, 
and by their union were born unto them the fol- 
lowing children — Anna K.. who was born .lanuary 
29th, 1834, and is the wife of Parker B. Grafton 
of Polk Township, Jefferson County; Eliza E., born 
March 9, 1835, became the wife of Matthew 
.lunkin and died in Se|)teinber, 1870; Amanda .1., 
lioru March 13, 1837, is the wife of AVilkins War- 
wick, of Kansas; Charles W.. born November 2, 
1 H38, was a soldier in the late war, married Etta 
Smith and is now living in Black Hawk Township; 
Albert M.. born January G, 1N41, dii^d October 31, 
1847; Martha M., born .\ugusl 4, 1844, is the wife 
of Ur. Webster .Searle, of Ottumwa; William T., 
who was born December 4, 1846, and was also in 
the late war, married Anna (ireenwood and lives 
in Fairlield; Lewis C. born Mareh 2. 1849, died 



4t8 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



February 6, 1850; Sarah A. born August 19, 1850, 
is llie wife of AViiiiam Campbell, of Florejice, 
Aialjania, and tlie youngest of llie family. 

Hearing favoraliie reports of Iowa and tlie ad- 
vantages afforded lier early settlers, Mr. Moorman 
determinud to make a location within hor borders 
and in 1844. accompanied by his family, settled on 
a farm in Fairfield Township, Jefferson County. 
Again beginning life in earnest, bis efforts were 
crowned with success and everything passed along 
well until 1854, when the wife and mother w.-xs 
cailed to her final rest, her death occurring on the 
22nd of January 1854. Mr. Moorman was again 
married on the I9th of April, 1859, his second 
union being with Mrs. Leah B. Robinson, widow 
of Dr. Sawyer Robinson, whoso sketch appears else- 
where in this work. She was born in Butler 
County, Ohio, .lunc 2, 182G, and is a daughter of 
Finley M. and Elizabeth (Gray) Brooks. Her pa- 
rents were early settlers of Brookville, in Locust 
Grove Townshii), she having .accompanied thcin to 
the county in 184G. One cliild has been born to 
Mr. and Mrs. Moorman. Eva C, who was born 
Jul}- 2, 18C3, and became the wife of J. L. 
Ganier, of Fairfield, her death occurring March 22, 
1885. 

Mr. Moorman continued his farming operations 
up to the lime of his death. As he possessed en- 
ergy, good management and business ability, he 
met with success in his undertakings and be- 
came owner of a fine farm of three hundred and 
five acres in Fairfield Township, which lias since 
been divided among llie family. In his earlier 
years, he took an active [lart in public affairs and 
was an influential citizen of the community. In 
the legislative assembly of 1857, and 1858, he ser- 
ved as a member and was also Justice of the Peace 
for several years. He was reared in the faith of 
the Society of Friends but about 1863 joined the 
Methodist Episcopal Church, to which his wife has 
belonged for half a century. Ever faithful to his 
religious duties, the church suffered a loss at his 
(leaih and in other good works his absence has also 
he.'M keenly felt. 

The temperance cause found in him one of its I 
strongest supporters and other enterprises for the 
advancement of the community were sure of his ! 



sympathy and co-operation. In his earlier years, 
in politics lie was a Whig but on the organization 
of the Republican party joined in its ranks. His 
death occurred March 2t'>, 1889. and was the occa- 
sion of deep regret on the part of a large circle of 
friends and acquaintances. 

Mrs. Moorman is still living on the old home- 
stead, of which she owns eighty acres, together with 
ninety acres in Locust Grove Township, the whole 
yielding her a good income which places her in 
comfortable circumstances. Like her husband she 
delights in doing good, her life abounds in <leeds 
of charity and benevolence and her man}' excellent 
qualities make her greatly beloved. 



.f^||f<^.^ 



H IRA!M BARNES is a retired farmer and 

honored citizen f)f Birmingham, \an Buren 
County. Known to many throughout the 
)) county, and held in the highest esteem bv 
all, his sketch will be received with interest by- 
many of our readers. His birthplace is in llarii- 
sou County, Ohio, and the date on which he first 
opened his eyes to the light, March 18, 1818. He is 
a son of James A. Barnes and a grandson of Leon- 
ard Barnes, who was proliably a native of Ireland. 
From Maryland he removed to Ohio, where he 
spent the remainder of his life engaged in farming. 
James Barnes was born in the Buckeve Slate, and 
on reaching the age of twenty-one married Miss 
Elizabeth Barnett, also a native of Ohio. Her 
father was a Frenchmnn and her mother's people 
belonged to the Society of Friends. Mr. Barnes 
improved a new farm after his marriage, and later 
moved from Tuscarawas Count}' to Holmes County, 
where he resided some four years. It was in 1839 
that he first set foot upon Iowa soil. Crossing the 
Mississiiipi, he continued his journey to Van Buren 
County and made a location about a mile south of 
Birmingham, where he entered one hundred and 
twenty acres of land. After building a log cabin, 
he began the improvement of a farm, while the 
family lived in true pioneer style. He was called 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



449 



upon to iiiouru tlie loss of his wife in 1862, and 
ten yeiii's later liis death occurred. Many of the 
comforts of civilized life had been added to their 
iiome Itefore that time, and a iiighly cultivated 
fiirni siipi)lied their wants, lie was a stalwart 
Repulilican in political sentiment, and Mrs. Barnes 
was a faithful member of the Methodist CImrch. 
Their family numbered thirteen children, of whom 
the following grew to mature years — Matilda, who 
was married and died in Ohio; Hiram, of this 
ski'tcii; Barnett, who was killecl in California while 
in iiis own cabin; Reason, Sarah and Albert, who 
aie residents of California; .lames, who served in 
the Third Iowa Cavalry during the late war and 
thereby lost his ejesight; Harriet and Elizabeth, 
wiio are also living in the Golden State. 

The days of his boyhood and youth, Hiram 
Barnes spent in the State of his nativity, where he 
also served an apprenticeship to tlie carpenter's 
trade. He came with his family to the Territory 
of Iowa when twenty-one years of age. and re- 
mained under the parental roof until 1846, in which 
year his marriage with Hannah B. Loomis was cele- 
brated. The l?dy is a native of Ohio, and a daugh- 
ter of William and Sylvia Loomis. After his mar- 
riage, Mr. Biirnes purchased land lying partly in 
Birniiiigliam, and on the lot where stands their 
l)resenl resilience he and his wife beg.an their do- 
mestic life. He devoted his attention to farming 
until 1850, when, attracted by the discovery of 
gold in California, he crossed the plains with three 
brothers and spent nearlj- two years in the northern 
mines. Again returning home, he resumed his in- 
terrupted farming labors, and in addition, en- 
gaged in the livery business, but in 1861, on th3 
breaking out of the late war. he hid down the im- 
plements of |)eaceful occupation and marched awa}' 
to the front. 

Mr. Barnes enlisted in Company- H. Third Iowa 
Cuvalry, and when the regiment was organized 
was made First Lieutenant of his company, in 
which posi'.icn he served two years, when he re- 
ceived his discharge on account of failing health. 
The service of the regiment was arduous, being 
mostly warfare against the guerrillas. He had com- 
mand of his company during the greater part of 
the time as the Captain was old and unable to 



take the lead. TI.e principal engagement occurred 
at Kiiksville. Mo., but he participated in man}' 
skirmishes. 

Returning to Ids home, Mr. Barnes again took 
up farming and the livery l)usiness, which latter he 
followed for thirty years. He is still the owner of 
one hundred and fifteen acres of land lying partly 
within the corporation limits of Birmingham, but 
to a gieat extent he has laid aside all business care 
and is resting in the enjoyment of the fruits of 
former toil. Unto .Mr. and Mrs. Barnes have been 
born six children, yet living — Louisa, widow of 
W. J. Hale, has two children and is living in Bir- 
mingham, near her parents; W. A. is a farmer of 
Warden County, Iowa, anil a graduate of the Com- 
mercial College, of Keokuk; Belle, wife of Abe 
Kirkpatrick, is liting in California; Virginia is the 
wife of Horace McCormick, of Des Moines, who is 
connected with the famous agricultural implement 
manufactory'; Marj- is the wife of B. F. Loomis, 
of Kansas; and lola is with her parents. 

Mr. and Mrs. Barnes hare a charming home in 
Birmingham, where they are surroundeil with all 
the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. He 
has served as Mayor of that city and is an honored 
member of the Old Settlers Society. He cast his 
lirst Presidential ballot for AVilliam Heory Harri- 
son, and the last vote up to this time for Benjamin 
Harrison, the illustrious grandson of the Tipfie- 
canoe hero. More than half a century has passed 
away since Mr. Barnes came to this county. Time 
and the citizens of the community have brought 
many changes, effacing many of the old landmarks 
but putting in their places structures which show 
the enterprise of its settlers. 



-^-^^- 



1 \V. STEWART, a farmer and stock raiser 
of Polk Township, .lefferson County, resid- 
ing on section •27,claims Ohio as the State of 
his nativity, his birth having occurred in 
Richland County in 1M5'.). In a family of four 
children he was the eldest and the p.arenis were 



450 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Samuel and Rliza (Fletclier) Stewart, the former a 
iialive of Ohio, and the hitler of Virginia. Tliey 
were married in the Hii(;l<e)e State, where Jlr. 
Stewart continued his farming operations until 
1S.J1, when he moved with his family to Van Buren 
County, Iowa, and purchased a partially improved 
farm. Four years later, hfjwever, he left the West 
and made a location in Fauquier County. Va., where 
he carried on agricultural pursuits untd his death, 
which occurred in 18G2. His wife continued there 
to reside until she also received the final summons, 
her death occurring in February, 1876. There are 
one son and two daughters of the family yet living, 
the daughters being Mrs. Elizabeth Swain, of Fair- 
field and Mrs. Manuida Huff, of Orleans, Neb. 

The son. whose name heads this sketch, spent his 
boyhood days in Ohio, Iowa and A'irginia. He was 
a had of twelve years when lie left his native Stale 
and became a resilient of V.an Buren County, Iowa, 
and at the age of fifteen years we find him with his 
parents, living in Fauquier County. \a., where he 
attained to man's estate. His time was spent in a 
manner not unlike that of most farmer lads and af- 
ter attaining bis majority, he embarked in farming 
(ov himself. He vvas married iu Fauquier County, 
\ a., in 18(17. to Miss Elizabeth M. Case, a native 
(if Ohio and a daughter of Adam and .Margaret 
(Siewarl) Case. Her father was born in New .Jer- 
sey and her molher in Ohio. He came to Jeffer- 
i^on Connly. Iowa, in 18.55, and for some 3'ears 
engaged in merchandising in Fairfield, where he 
ranked among the leading business men. His death 
occurred in January. 1873. He took quite an ae- 
Uve part in political affairs, supporting the Repub- 
lican party and was an infiuential citizen in the 
community. His wife died the year of their re- 
moval to this county. 

Mr. Stewart continued his farming operations in 
N'irginia until *187f>, when he too came to Fair- 
(ichi. He spent the winter in thalcily and the fol- 
lowing spring purchased an improved farm of 
one hundred and sixty acres. That quarter sec- 
tion is now one of the most highly improved in the 
tdwuship. Everything necessary to a model farm 
may there be seen; it is provided with good build- 
ings and the home with its entire surroundings 
gives evidence of the capability and industry of 



him who has its operation in charge. The borne is 

blessed with the presence of seven children, four 
sons and three daughters, as follows: Fraidi, 
Madge, Charles, Edward, George. Hattie and 
Helen. The parents are both members of the 
Methodist F^piscopal Church, of Abingdon, and to 
all social, moral and educational interests, Mr. 
Stewart is a warm friend. As a metnber of the 
School Board, he has done etticient service for ed- 
ucation hy .advancing the grade of schools and pro- 
viding teachers who are capable of discharging the 
duties of the profession. As every true Ameri- 
can citi;;en sboidd do, he feels and manifests an in- 
terest in political affairs and casts his ballot for the 
Republican party. 



-''>-:>'>^:i^^it5<^^- 



WILL HASTINGS, a f.armer and stock-raiser 
of Van Buren Count3-, owns two hundred 
„ „ and forty-two acres of valuable land, his 
home being situated on section 27, I'nion Town- 
ship, where he devotes himself with unremitting 
zeal to the interests of his business, wliereby he 
has become one of the substantial citizens of the 
community. 

In Hardin County, Ohio, on the 2.3d of Novem- 
ber, 1844, he was born, and is a son of John C. and 
Jane (Plew) Hastings. His father was a native of 
County Antrim, Ireland, and when nineteen years 
of age came to this country, locating in Hardin 
County, Ohio, where he married Miss Piew, who 
was born near Meadsville, Pa., and emigrated to 
the Buckeye State with her parents in girlhood. 
She died in Hardin County', in 1846, leaving our 
subject, an onlj- child. .Subsequently Mr. Hastings 
chose as a second wife JIary E. Purdoiu, of V.an 
Buren County, whither he had removed in 18(;i. 
He made his first settlement in the eastern part of 
the county, but later purchased the farm upon 
which our subject now' resides. He became an in- 
fluential citizen of the community, and several 
times re|)resented Cedar Township on the Board of 
County Supervisors. He followed the occiipatiou 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



451 



of farming in pursuit of fortune, and his efforts 
l)eino; suc-cessfiil, he secnrcil :i hnndstiino conipe- 
teiK'O. He had very liltic fapilal on toiniiii;- to this 
county, but lie was a slirewd financier, and taking 
no undue advantage of anyone himself, he did not 
allow any one to overreach him. Though lie loaned 
money, l.e never h.id occasion to sue any one, nor 
was he ever sued. Proniiil to jiay his delits. he 
was honorable and fair in all his dealings, and his 
word was as good as his. bond. He was (iecided in 
his views .and outspoiien, but made no enemies, for 
bis motives were sincere. He was full of life and 
humor, and theguests of his hosi)itable home were 
sure of a heart}' welcome. 

As before stated, our subject was the only child 
of this worthy pioneer. His primary education 
was supplemented by a course in the higher 
schools, and at the age of nineteen years he began 
teaching, which vocation he followed through 
about eighteen terms, spent only in two districts. 
Certainly a higher testimonial of his ability and 
faithfulness could not be given. He was for many 
terras Principal of the Winchester schools, and in 
18h0 he was elected County .Suijerintendent of 
Van Bnren County, although the county has tliree 
hundred Republican majority and he is a pro- 
nounced Democrat, a fact which indicates his 
poiiidarity. which is due not only to his genial and 
affable manner, but to his fitness for the ))osition. So 
ably did he fill the office that he was re-elec- 
ted in 1882. Later he was nominated l)y the 
Democratic convention for the position of County 
Clerk, but was not elected owing to the lack of 
party strength. He has been Clerk and is now 
Treasurer of the Township School Board, and was 
Township Clerk for some five years. 

Mrs. Hastings was, in her maidenhood, .Miss 
Addie- Kerr, wiio was born in liiion Towns'iip, 
Van Burcn County, and was a daughter of Chris- 
topher Kerr. I'lito them luis Ijeen born one child. 
Birdie, who died at the ago of one year, and a 
month later the mother was also laid to rest. At 
Meadsville, Pa., on the Isl of October, 1889, Mr. 
Hastings wedded Miss Cora Dunson, of Hardin 
County, Ohio, wlio is a mendier of the Mctiiodist 
Church and a most estimable lady. He is recog- 
nized as one of the leading men of the towusliip. 



In addition to the cultivation of his farm of two 

hundred ar.d forty-two acres, he h.as served as 
President of the Cheese am) Butter Company since 
its organization, and has done not a little business 
in the way of selling estates. The business ability 
of his father descended to him, and with like energy 
and perseverance he has pressed forward, thus be- 
coming one of the well-to-do citizens of the count v. 
To say that Mr. H.'istings is popular would har<lly 
express the public feeling tow.ard liim, for in addi- 
tion to his popularity there is a warm friendship 
everywhere manifested combined with respect and 
esteem for one wlio for thirty- -two years has made 
his home among them. 



^^^EOROE D. CLAUKIi, is engaged in the 
II (=^ drug business in Fairfield, Iowa, and is a 
^J4 representative of Jefferson County's enter- 
prising citizens. He was born in Mt. Pleasant, 
Henry County, on the li^tli of January,! 8.5.3, being 
a son of Dr. Charles S. and Sarah L. Clarke, whose 
sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. Our sub- 
ject came to Fairfield with his parents in 1H.')7. 
when but four years of .age. He attended the city 
schools in his earl^- youth and was a student for 
three years in the .State L'liiversity of Iowa. He 
began his business career in his father's drug store 
at Fairfield, and, having obtained a knowledge of 
the business, was in 187.") admitted to partnership, 
the firm being C. S. Clarke & .Son. On the death 
of his father in March, 1H82, he succeeded to the 
business and for the ensuing five years conducted it 
alone, or until 1887, when IL O. Jtinken became 
associated witli-hiin .as a partner and the nrm name 
was changed to Clai1<e & Junken. This is the old- 
est established drug house in the city as well as one 
of the most important and popular in public esti- 
mation. 

In Fairfield, on the 22nd of M.ay. l.s7'J. .Mr. 
Clarke was niarric<l, the lady of his choice being 
Miss Ftta Montgomery, ilaughter of William .Mont- 
gomery. Mrs. Clarke was born in Jefferson County, 



\yi 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Iowa, ami is ii member of the Fnirfield Presbj'terian 
Cliurtli. One eliild. a (Laughter, Helen May. jriaces 
Uieir union. 

Mr. Clarke takes considerable interest in eivic 
societies and is an honored member of the JIasonic 
and Knights of Pythian fraternities, holding mera- 
bershi|) in Clinton Lodge. No. l.o, A. F. & A. M. 
and Forest City Lodge. No. 37, K. P. In bis po- 
litical aHilialions, he is a Republican and has faith- 
fuilv served for one term in the City Council and 
is now serving his second term as City Treasurer, 
wiiirh fact well indicates his poi)ularity .and ability. 
He was one of the organizers of the Iowa State 
Savings Bank and is a member of its first board of 
rlirectors. Mr. Clarke is a skilled pharmacist, a 
courteous gentleman and an acknowledged leader 
in his line of business. 



-^^ 



'AMP:S B. ROBINSON, .an undertaker and 
dealer in furniture, of Milton, claims the 
I honor of being a native of Van Buren 
' County. Ilevv.as born in Wincliester, Union 
Township, on the 2d of December, 1855, and is a 
.■ion of John A. and Ella J. (Smith) Robinson, 
worthy pioneers of the county, a sketch of whom is 
given elsewhere in this volume. 

ijur subject received a liberal education in his 
youth, bis literary training being received in the 
Keosauqun High School and at the Birmingham 
Aciuk'iiiy. He then ventured upon the study of 
medicine, and took two courses at the Keokuk 
Medical College, but not finding the profession to 
his taste, he did not complete the course of study. 
He established his present business in Milton in 
1888, and is the i)roprietor of the only undertaking 
and furniture establishment in the city. He has 
built up a good trade and is doing a successful 
business. In politics he is a supporter of Repub- 
lican principles, bat has never sought or desired 
the honors or emoluments of public office. 

On the 11th of .Tanuary. 1888, Mr. Robinson led 
to the altar Miss Ida Bennett, the union being cele- 



brr.ted in Milton. She was a daughter of Benjamin 
Bennett, and her birth occurred in Keosauqua, 
where her parents were early settlers. She died 
April 13, 1890, leaving one child, a son, Mark 
Leonard, who was born September 23, 1888. 



E^^^ 




J. .STONE R, a well-to-do farmer and sheep 
herder residing on section 22, Fairfield 
MV Township, .Jefferson County-, was born in 
Ashland County, Ohio, Septeraber 22,1850' 
Little is known concerning the early history of the 
fatsilj'. His f.ither was a native of Lancaster 
Cdunty, Pa., and was of German descent. AVlien 
a lad of fourteen years his parents emigrated west- 
ward, settling in Ohio when tbat State was thought 
to be almost on the borders of civiliz.ation. He 
was there reared and on attaining to man's estate 
was joined in wedlock with Miss Almira Parsons, 
who was born in Connecticut and whose people 
belonged to an old New Jingland family. Their 
union was blessed with four children, three of whom 
are yet living. R. J., the subject of this sketch, is 
the eldest; Emma died while a student in Knox 
College, of Galesburg, 111.; Nettie makes her home 
with her mother; and Charles E., is a practicing 
physician of Altoona, Polk County, Iowa. He 
married Miss Nettie Neil, who belongs to a pioneer 
family of Jefferson Count}". Abraham Stoner, ac- 
companied by wife and chiMren bade good-bye to 
Ashland County, Ohio, in 18G5, and made his way 
to Jefferson County, finally locating upon a farm 
which is now the property of our subject. A man 
of strict integrity, upright in all his dealings, h<? 
won the respect of all who knew him and at his 
death in June, 1888, much sorrow was felt not only 
by his immediate family but by a large circle of 
friends and acquaintances. He lived the life of a 
consistent Christian, being a member of the Con- 
gregationalChuich to which his widow also belongs. 
She now makes her home with her eldest son. 

Until fifteen years of .age, our subject remained 
ij) the county of his nativity where he acquired 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



453 



his primary education in tlie district schools of the 

neighborhood. Aftt'r locating in Jefferson County 
lie purtsiied a ye.ir's course of study in the Wcs- 
leyan University, of Mt. Pleas'xiit,wliich completed 
his school life. At tlic a^c of twenty-one j'ears 
he entereil u|)on his Inisiiiess career and in the same 
fall took upon himself the care of a home. He 
was united in marriage with Miss Anna Hampson, 
who was liorn In Fairfield and is a daughter of K. 
C. and Martfaret (Realty) Hampson. Three years 
after their niarrlaae. they settled upon the farm 
which has since been their home and where Mr. 
Stoner is yet actively engaged in agricultural pur- 
suits. The well cidlivated fields and the splendid 
improvements which he has made upon the two 
hundred and forty acres of land that pay tribute 
to his care and labor, are indications to a passer-by 
of his thrift and energy, while as a sheep-herder 
he stands In the front rank among the stock-raisers 
in Jtflferson County. He keeps on hand about four 
hundred hciid of a gooil grade of sheep, together 
witli twenty head of horses and a good grade of 
hogs. He also makes a specialty of the raising of 
clover seed. By the census cnumcratfir's valuation 
we learn that Mr. Stoner's farm, including personal 
property and real estate, is rated at about §5.600 
and the greater part of his possessions have been 
acquired through his own effort. 



:-^-^-m' 



ilp^i B. KKNYON, tlie owner of a fine farm of 
jlgir one hundred and twenty acres on section 1.'), 
cii\\\ Polk Township, was reared to farm life and 
)has made that his occupation throughout the 
years of his manhood. He claims an honor of 
which few can boast, that of being a native of .Icf- 
ferson County. His father. .lames Kenyon, was 
born on the Isle of Man and when a lad of five 
summers was brougiit by his parents to America. 
Growing to manhood, he was married in Ohio, to 
Miss Jane Tier, a native of London, England, and 
in 1846, they came to the new .State of Iowa, locat- 



I ing in Fairfield, Jefferson County. Mr. Kenyon 
was a mason by trade and in FairfSeid followed that 
! occupation with gooii success for several years or 
j until IHOy, when he removed to a farm near the 
I city. He was a respected citizen, one worthy the 
j esteem of his fellow-men and his death proved a 
loss to the couimuiiity. He was called to his final 
rest in 1880. and his wife passed avray in 1876. At 
the time of their deaths they resiiled in Polk Town- 
ship. Their family numbered four children, of 
whom R. B., of this sketch, is the eldest; William 
is now married and resides in O'Brien County, 
Iowa; Anna died In 1861; and Theopholis is mar- 
ried and makes his home in Polk Township, where 
he carries on farming. 

The year in which our subject was born is 1817. 
His early life was spent in the usual manner of 
farmer lads and he acquired a good practical edu- 
cation in the schools of Polk Township and Fair- 
field. Although only seventeen years of age, in 
1861, in Abingdon, he enlisted in the late war for 
three years service or until the close of liostililies. 
j and was assigned to Companj' D, Nineteenth Iowa 
Infantry. The regiment became a part of the 
Department of the Gulf and with his command, 
Mr. Kenyon participated in the siege and capture 
of .'Spanish Fort, the battle of Mobile, Good's 
Plantation and the engagement at Ft. (iaines. to- 
gether with numerous skirmishes. When the war 
was OTCr, he was honorably discharged from the 
service at New Orleans on the 20th of August, 
1865, and at once returned to the North. 

On again reaching his native county, Mr. Kenyon 
returned to the parental home and assisted his 
father in his farming operations for several years. 
On the UJtIi of October, 1876, he was united in 
the holy bonds of matrimony with Miss Mary 
Cline, a native of Ohio, and daughter of William 
and Rebecca Cline. Her parents were also born 
in the Buckeye State and came to JefTersfm 
County at an early <lay. Both are now deceased. 
The young couple began their domestic life in 
I'olk Township and four children came to gladden 
the home with their presence, two sons and two 
daughters: William F.dward, .Anna .lane. Nora 
Dollie and Lewis Farle. The family circle yet re- 
mains unbroken. 



4ft4 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM, 



As stated in the beginning of this sketeli, Mr. 
Kenyon is llie owner of a good farm of one hun- 
dred and twenty acres whose cultivateil (ields. 
good grades of stock, outbuildings and tasty resi- 
lience give evidence of tlie thrift, industry and 
good management of tlie owner. He is regarded 
as one of tlie progressive and represenlalive farm- 
ers of the township and stands in the front rank 
among its lending citizens. In political sentiment 
he is a Republican, always casting his vote with 
that party, yet has never sought or desired the 
honors or emoluments of public ollicc;, preferring 
to devote his time and attention to his business 
iulerests. He has however served as Township 
Clerk and has acted ujion the School Board several 
terms, being interested in the caii.se of education. 
He himself is a well-informed man and desires that 
his children will be thus fitted for the duties of 
life. As a pioneer, he has wftnesstd almost the 
entire growth of the county from its infanc\- and 
knows what it is to .share in tlic diflicukies and 
hardships incident to the settling upon a frontier. 



-^1= 



QKLIN H. OILLETT is a representative of one 
J of the pioneer families of Jefferson County. 
His home is now on "section 2(3, Polk Town- 
shij), and comprises a portion of the land which his 
father chiimed forty-lliree years ago. The mem- 
bers ol the family have been prominently connected 
with the history of the county and have done not a 
little for the advancement of its interests and the 
l)romotion of its leading enterprises. Kspecially 
have the^' l)een connected with the developcmint 
of the wild land, several hundred acres of the raw 
prairie or unbroken timber being placed under the 
plow by father and sons. L. T. (iillett, the father 
of the family, was born in Connecticut and spent 
the first sixteen years of his life in that State. He 
then started out to make his own way \i\ the world 
and entered upon his business career as a traveling 
salesman, sidling clocks. For a number of yeai-s 
he followeil that pursuit, during which time he 



Tisited ndost of the Eastern and Middle States. In 
his journeyings he reached Knox County, III., and 
being place<l with the county and its future pros- 
pects made there a location, becoming owner of a 
tract of land upon which the village of Knoxville 
is located. It was in Knox County that he formed 
the ac()uaintance of and wedded Miss Klzan Riley, 
a native of Indiana, whose parents were pioneers of 
Knox County. Her father served in the Black 
Hawk War with the rank of Major. 

Mr. and Mrs. Gillett continued to make their 
home in Illinois until the spring of 1813, when 
thinking to better their financial condition the3' 
crossed the Father of Waters into Iowa and made a 
settlement in Polk Township, .Jefferson County. 
Mr. Cillett was a roan of more than ordinary abil- 
ity and a most successful farmer. He at one time 
owned one thousand acres of land in this coHuly 
and ere his death, which occurred in August, 1870, 
he had imi)roved over six hundred acres of land. 
He took an active part in everything that pertained 
to the welfare of the community and it was 
through his instrumentality that the Hist school- 
house in Polk Township was built. His fellow citi- 
zens, n|)preciating his worth arul ability', frequent- 
ly called upon him to serve in positions of public 
trust for being acquainted with his upright charac- 
ter they knew that the duties would ever be faitli- 
full}- discharged. He was untiring in his efforts 
to promote the general welfare and his death 
proved a sad loss to the community. Mrs. fiillett 
is still living and makes her hume with her chil- 
dren. 

The family of this worthy couple numbered thir- 
teen children, eleven of whom grew to manhood .'ind 
won anhood, while nine are yet living — Kllen is 
the wife of Ivlwin Stockton, of Illinois; Penelope 
became the wife of .1. B. McCo}' and died at Mt. 
Pleasant, Iowa.; .James G. died at the age of 
twenty-three, his death caused by the kick from a 
horse. He served in the late war as a member of 
Company I, Second Iowa Infantr}-; O. H. of this 
sketch is the next younger; Eliza J. is the wife of 
J. Pollock, of Lincoln, Neb.; Z. T. is a resident 
farmer of Polk Township; .Janet is the wife of 
William Wells, of the same township; William R. 
is a farmer of Dickenson County, Iowa; .lohn R. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOORAPIIICAL ALBUM. 



45.') 



makes liis home in Davis County, Mo.; Edward i.s 
engaged in morclia-idising in Ilolyokc, Col., where 
Lester T.. llie yoinigest of the family, is also liv- 
ing. 

O. U. Gillett. whose name iieads this sketch, 
has spent his entire life in tliis 'joiinty, his birth 
occurring on the old homestead in Polk Township, 
in 1844. lie acquired such education as tiie dis- 
trict schools of that day afforded and at the age of 
twenty-two began life for himself, renting a part 
of ids father's land. He is now the owner of a 
good farm of one hundred and sixty acres, this 
tract forming a portion of that which his father 
entered in 184.3. As it was entirely unimproved, 
he had to break and plow the land before planting 
crops. In fact it was entirely developed by him 
and is a monument to his industry and enterprise. 
The owner thoroughl}' understands his business — a 
fact which is indicated by a glance at the highl3- 
cultivated fields and well kept barns. In addition 
to the raising of crops he deals quite extensively 
in improved grades of farm stock, his annual ship- 
ments being quite large. 

In 1867, Mr. Gillett led to the marriage altar 
Miss Elizabeth Moore, danght?r of Henry and 
Mary J. (Harper) Moore. Her parents were na- 
tives of the Emerald Isle and Mrs. Gillett was born 
in Ohio. By their union were born eight cliildren 
yet living and two now deceased. Those who still 
survive are Nevada. Flaval O.. Mar3-, Bertha. 
Maggie, Ray, M.ay and Iva. Mrs. Gillett was for- 
merly a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church 
and a lad}- held in high regard for her many ex- 
cellencies of character. Mr. Gillett is a member 
of the Farmers' Alliance and in political sentiment 
Is a stalwart supporter of the Democracy, taking 
an .active interest in all that pertains to its welfare. 
He has served on the central committee and is an 
influential member of his party in local circles. 
Almost constantly for a number of years he has 
served as a member of the School Board and has 
done effective service for the cause of education. 
A friend to all worthy enterprises he h.as aided in 
the upbuilding and advancement of the community 
and has been a liberal supporter of charitable and 
benevolent institutions. Although not a cliiirch 
member, his donations to the church are not small 



and financially he has aided greatly in its growtli. 
He ranks among the best citizens of Polk Town- 
ship, is one of its leading farmers and is an hon- 
ored pioneer of Jefferson County who is well 

worthy a plnce in the volume of its history. 



,1, OSEPII W I LLl A. MSON. deceased, is num. 
bered among the honored pioneers of Van 
Buren County, Iowa. He located in the 
county in 18."55. when it formed a part of 
the Territory of Michigan. The entire State was 
then an almost uninhabited wilderness and gave lit- 
tle promise of its present prosperity or of the ad- 
vanced position which it to-day occupies in the 
Union. 

Mr. 'Williamson, a son of Francis and Eve (Mc- 
Namar) Williamson, was born June 20, 1814, in 
Scioto County, Ohio, where the first tvvelve years 
of his life were spent upon his father's farm. In 
1826, he accompnnieil the family on their removal 
from Ohio to Indiana, where he continued to reside 
until 1835, when he journeyed westward, crossing 
tlie Father of Water and set foot upon Iowa soil. 
From th.1t time until his death, he was identified 
with the history of the State and especially with 
the growth and advancement of Southeastern Iowa. 
He aidc<I in the erection of the first house in Farm- 
I ington and after a year returned to Indiana where, 
on the 24th of July, 1836, he was united in mar- 
riage with Hannah Lemming, who was born in 
Knox County, Ohio, August 28, 1817. and is a 
daughter of Elias and Deborah (Reed) Lemming, 
who were natives of New Jersey, the former born 
of Scotch parentage, while tUe latter was of Irish 
lineage. 

About the time when Iowa w.as made a territory, 
in 1838, Mr. Williamson and his wife removed to 
the vicinity of Bonaparte where they resided until 
18i)0, when they became residents of Davis County. 
Twelve years later they removed to \'an Buren 
County, but in 187.5, again became residents of 
Davis County, where Mr. Williamson died on 



4S6 



PORTRAIT AM) BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



llie I'Jlli of August, 188;). He was a farmer by oc- 
uupation and followed thai business durinj,' the 
greater part of liis life. As a citizen, he occupied 
a front rank among the progressive and inllnontial 
men of the coinmiiiiity and his death proved a loss 
to a large circle of friends and acquaintances. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Williamson were born eleven 
children. John \V.. born in Imliaiia, died before 
the walls of Vicksburg, on the 2;3rd of March. 1 862, 
while serving as a soldier of Company 1), Thirtieth 
Iowa Infantry; Francis M., was horn October 10, 
18.38. and resides in Milton, claims to have been 
the lirst while child born in Van Buren County; 
Mary A., is the wife of G. W. Rosser, of Colorado: 
Kllen, is deceased; William II., is living in Van 
Bnreu County; Emily J., is deceased; Eva E., is 
the wife of C. E. Archer and tlieir h(jme is in 
Davis County : Martha .).. is also deceased; Clara, 
is the wife of W. V. Edmondson, and the I'ljstmis- 
Iress of Milton, Iowa; Sarah I. and Helen B. have 
also passed aw.ny. 

The mother of this family is still living and 
makes her home in Van Buren County. >She is a 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and a 
most estimable l.ady. 



-Hg^- 



EVVIS TRABERT still resides on the farm 
(J§) where he opened his eyes to the light of 

day, November i;5, 1852. It is the Tra- 

berl homestead, and is siluated on section IT), Lock- 
ridge Township, Jefferson County. He is fifth in 
a family of six children born unto John T. and 
Mary B. (Harding) Trabcrt. His father was born 
in Bavaria, Germany, May 12, 1810, and his peo- 
ple were devoted to agri(!nltural pursuits. At the 
age of fifteen he began work as a farm hand, 
winch he continued until his emigration to .America 
in 1840. The four years preceding his arrival in 
this county he worked as a day laborer in Pennsyl- 
vania, and ihiiing that time married Miss Hardin<r, 
who was born in the sanu! neighborhood with her 
husband. In 1844 they came to the Territory of 



Iowa, making a location in Lockridge Township, 
and after a few years jiurchased eighty .acres of 
land constituting u portion of the farm where our' 
sulijeet now resides. It was entirely unimproved, 
but he built a log caliln and at once began clear- 
ing, preparatory to planting crops, which in the 
course of time would yield him a living. Over- 
coming the difficulties incident to frontier life, he 
at length accpiircd a comfortable competence, and 
at his death left his family in comfortable circum- 
stances. His farm then comi)rised two hundred 
and thirty-six acres of arable land, upon which was 
a comfortable home, gofxl barne and all other 
necessary im [movements. 

He died on the 11th of February, 1875, in the 
faith of the Lutheran Church, of which he w.as 
long a member. In connection with his property 
he left to his family a priceless heritage — a good 
name. Mrs. Trabert still survives her husband and 
makes her home with her children, five sons and 
one daughters — George,>tlie eldest, born December 
31, 1842, is a miller, of Griswold, Iowa; Andrew, 
born October 2, 1844, is a farmer, residing near 
.Stanton, Iowa; John, born December .'!1, 1845, is a 
resident farmer, of Milford, Neb.; Anna M. died 
August 21, 1852, when three years of age; Lewis 
is the next younger; and Henry, born .September 
13, 1854, died February 111, 1876. 

The early life of our subject passed unevent- 
fully, his time being taken up with the farm labor 
usually allotted to young lads and by attendance 
at the district schools of the neighborhood where 
he acquired his education. Soon after his father's 
death he married Miss Annas Sophia Schmidt- 
lein, who is a representative of one of the pioneer 
families of Lockridge Township. He then pur- 
chased the interest of the other heirs in the old 
homestead f;uin where they began their domestic 
life and have since continued to reside. Their 
union has been blessed with two children, a son and 
daughter — Frank A., born March 30, 1878, and 
Mnry Barbara, born August 29, 1880. 

Mr. Trabert is numbered among the intcdiigent 
young citizens of the county, and his progressive 
ideas have won him a foremost place in the ranks 
of its leading farmers. In his political affiliations 
he is a stalwart Denoocrat, as was his father before 





II 



I'OUTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



45 "J 



liim. He cast liis first Presidential vote for Tilden 
and lias never wavered in his allesjiance to tlie 
party, l)ut lias ;;iven Ills support and inllnence for 
its welfare, anil has frequently represented his 
township in tlu'eonnty conventions. Both he and 
his wife are faithful members of the Lntlieran 
Church. They are respected Ity all who know them, 
their friends are many throughout the eonininnily, 
and the}' are welcomed to the best homes where 
worlii and ability are the passi)orts. 



^-^i' 



'>*^Jt. WILLIAM F. GRriil'. is the ohlest prac- 
ticing physician of Farmington, Iowa, in 
years of service, having opened an oflicc and 
embarked in the prosecution of his profession at 
this place in 181!). He was Ijorn in Morgan County, 
Ohio. July 2;3, l.S2:5. and received his literary- edu- 
calidii in the common schools of the neighborhood. 
When a young man of eighteen years, in 1841, he 
accompanied his father to the Territory of Iowa, 
and for a year engaged in farming, but the medical 
profession offered attractions f<n' him, and believ- 
ing that it would prove congenial as a life wnrk, 
he entered upon the studj^ of the same inider the 
direction of Dr. II. II. Little, of McConneilsvillo, 
Ohio. In ^larch, 1847, he was granted the degree 
of M. D.. and inunediately afterward opened an 
oflice in McConnellsville, Ohio, where he practiced 
for about a year. He then made a location in Ath- 
ens, Clark County, Mo., but after aliont twelve 
months spent in that place, he came to Farming- 
ton, where he has since been engaged in active I'.rac- 
tice with the exception of six years spent on the 
Pacific Slope. In I8ol, he went to California, 
where he followed his chosen work among the min- 
ers who had flocked to that State in vast numbers af- 
ter the discovery of gold. Returning by way of the 
Isthmus of Panama, in 1857, he again reached Van 
Buren County, and through the succeeding years 
has administered to the sick and suffering of the 
community. It was not long before his ability 
won recognition by liberal palron.ige, and he re- 



ceived calls for miles around ihrungjiout the sur- 
rounding eountr}-. A man of progressive ami 
enterprising ideas, he still keeps abreast with any 
nevv discoveries or experiments connected with his 
profession. He has been a life student of medicine 
and stands in the front ranks of the leading prac- 
titioners of Southeastern Iowa. 

The Doctor assisted in organizing the first Allo- 
pathic Society in Iowa, which coiwened at IJurling- 
tou. In jiolitical sentiment he is u Jcfl'ersonian 
Democrat, but has never sought public preferment, 
having served only in the |)osilionof health ollicer. 
Sociall}-, the Doctor is a Knight Templai, aid a 
member of the Modern Woodmen of America. Foi- 
a number of j'ears past, he has devoted much lime 
and attention to the stud}- of astronomy, and iirob 
ably no man in the State is better informed regard- 
ing that science than he. 



^^ 



^ l»,ALTi;U W. (iRLBB, one of the prominent 
\/\l// and honored pioneers of Van Buren County, 
^^ now deceased, w.-ts born in Branily"ine 
Hundred, Del., October 25, 17',)8, and died at his 
home in Clark Count}', Mo., near Farmington, in 
1871, at the age of seventy-six years. Widely and 
favorably known throughout the community, his 
death was tlie occasion of deep regret on the | ail 
of man}' friends. 

The Crubb family is of Knglish origin, and w.is 
founded in .\merica about 1GS2. by .lolin Grubb. 
who emigrated from his native land to Americi. 
locating along the banks of the Delaware River, at 
what is now known as (irubb's Landing. whi<h 
place was namcii in his honor. It was then a part 
of the Colony of Pennsylvania. Kmanuel (Iiiildi. 
son of .John (riubb, was the first white child bom 
of Knglish parentage on the Delaware shore. 

C)ur subject was of the fifth generation from the 
American progenitor. He acquired a good educa- 
tion in his youth, and then went tn Philadelpnin, 
where he secured a position as salesman in one of 
leading stores in that city. In 1821. he led tn the 
marriage altar .Miss Margaret Ricliey, who was born 



4fi0 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



on the 22(1 of March, 1800, and Ihey became par- 
ents of four children, two sons and two daughters, 
namely: Dr. William Ford, wiiose sketcii appears 
elsewhere in tliis volume; Lvdia A., who became 
the wifft of Jacob Archer, of Birminsham. and died 
at her liome in this county; -lames Iv, who died 
in California, in 1852, and Elizabelli C. wife of ,1. 
R. Tewiisbury. of l-'t. Madison, Iowa 

For some twenty years after their marriage, ^Iv. 
and Mrs. (irubb made their home in Ohio. The 
year 1841 witnessed tiieir emigration to the Terri- 
tory of Iowa, and in Birmingham, A'an Buren 
County they m.ade a location, but the country was 
then wild and unsettled, and tliey soon afterward re- 
turned to Ohio, whither tliey had removed soon af- 
ter tlieir marriage. Eight years then passed, years 
in which great changes were made in Van Buren 
County, and at the end of tiiat time. Mr. Grubb, 
aci:ompanied by liis f.amily, returned to Iowa. This 
time lie made a settlement in Farmington, where lie 
spent tlie remainder of his life. He was a wortiiy 
and esteemed citizen, and an upright iionest man. 
He never aspired to prominence in any direction, 
preferring to pursue the even tenor of his way, 
q\iietly discharging the duties of citizenship, and 
faithfully caring for his family. He was always a 
stanch supporter of Democratic [trinciples. and af- 
ter coming to Farmington, was honored l)y an ap- 
pointment as Postmaster of the city, which posi- 
tion he filled creditably ami acceptably for c-iglit 
years. Mr. and Mrs. tirubb traveled life's journey 
together as man and wife for fifty-three years, when 
in 1S71 the marriage tie was broken l)y the hand 
of death, and the husband passed to his last rest. 
The loved wife surviveil him some thirteen years, 
when in 1887 she too was called to her final home. 



, ^r^S^^^^^^ 



i?SA GOODIN was born in Ohio, in 1816, 
and the family is of German descent. In 
bis native .State he was reared to manhood 
and received such educatiotial advantages as the 
schools of that day afforded. Having attained to 
mature years, in \X'^'i he Kd to the raarri.age altar 



Miss R.icbel Smith, who was also a native of the 
Buckeye State. They began their domestic life in 
Ohio, but after seven years determined to try their 
fortune in the West and in 1841 we find them en 
route for Iowa. They chose Farmington, then a 
small village, as a favorable location, but the fol- 
lowing 3ear removed to Lee (.'ounty where Mr. 
Goodin remained until the death of his wife which 
there occurred in 18.')0. Two children were born 
of that union — William, and Mary, wife of John 
Lightfoot. Mr. Goodin was again married in 
1853, the lady of his choice being Caroline Mc- 
Ehamy. They became the parents of five children 
who arc yet living — Ella, Edward, Ida, Alfred and 
Charles. 

During his residence in tliis county. Mr. (joodin 
followed teaming. lie made his home in this 
community from 1844 until 1867, when severing 
his business relations he removed to Knoxville. 
Marion County, Iowa, making his homo in that 
comnuuiity for some time. He then again came to 
Van Buren County and settled in Farmington, 
where he spent the remainder of his life. He died 
in 18811, respected by all who knew him. One of 
its pioneer settlers, he had witnessed almost the 
entire growth of the county and was acquainted 
with its history of progress and development. He 
faithfully discharged ever}' duty of citizenship and 
whenever called uiion to aid in the promotion of 
any worthy enterprise, cheerfully responded. 



"\l)AMES R. CLARK owns two hundred acres 
of the rich farming land of \'an Buren 
County, embracing a portion of section 7, 
Des Moines Township. Since the autumn 
of 1841 he has made his home in the conimunit}- — 
a period in which man}' changes have occurred, 
bringing prosperity to him and to the county. He 
emigrated from Ohio, the State of his nativity, 
his birth having occurred in (ircen County in 1834. 
The family is of Irish origin. The paternal grand- 



POKTKAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Uil 



fallicr, William Clark, was a native of Ireland, 
and I'liiigrated to this country about iliu lime 
of the Ivevulutionary War, settling in Xirginia, 
whence he removed with his family about the year 
1830 to Indiana, where he and his wife spent their 
last days. Their son, Samuel, was born in Vir- 
ginia, but in his youth went to Maryland, where 
he became acquainted with and mariied Miss 
Elizabeth Reynolds, their union being eelebraled 
in 1821. The lady was a native of Washington 
County. Md.. and a daughter of Maj. Reynolds, 
who procured his title during the War of 18r2. 
rie was taken captive by the Indians while on his 
way down the Ohio River, together with his parents, 
who were kept ])risoners for some six years. He, 
however, succeeded in making his escape and re- 
turned to Maryland, where he spent the remainder 
of his life. 

Kight years after their marriage in 1832, Mr. 
and Mrs. Clark emigrated to Ohio, making a loca- 
tion in Green County, where the_v continued to 
reside until, following the course of emigration, 
which was steadily drifting westward, they located 
in Van Buren County, Iowa, in 1841. Mr. Clark 
was a preacher of the Methodist faith and traveled 
as an itinerant minister tiiroughout Jefferson, Lee, 
Henry, Des Moines. Davis, \'an Buren and other 
counties. He thus formed an extensive acquaint 
ance and made manj' warm friends who admired 
and respecte<l him for his sterling worth and up- 
right Christian character. At one time, in May, 
1842. he engaged in a debate with Abner Knee- 
land, a renowned infidel of Van Binen County. 
He spoke for three hours, and in that time com- 
pletely dethroned infidelity in this comnuinity. 
His death occurred on the 'JtU of .lanuarj-, 18.")7,at 
the age of fifty-seven j-ears, and his wife, a most 
estimable lady, died in Mahaska County some years 
later. This worthy couple were the parents of 
nine children, and eight of the number became 
residents of Iowa, namely — John, who was a 
physician and surgeon of Mt. Sterling, and died in 
Van Buren County- in 1884; George II., a resident 
of Mahaska County ; Allen T., who married and 
makes his home in Oregon; Mrs. Mary Pettit. of 
Chequesl Township. Van Buren County; J. R., of 
this sketch, who is fifth in order of birth; Mrs. 



Elizabeth Manville, of Colorado; Samuel M., who 
who is married and resides in Keokuk, where he 
publishes a paper, and Mrs. Acha Hitchcock, now 
of Crawford County, Kan. 

Reared to farm life, James R. Clark has followed 
that occupation throughout the 3ear9 of his man- 
hood. He was a lad of seven summers when he 
came to Van Buren County, and in the schools of 
this community. an<l at New London and West 
Point, Iowa, he acquired a good English educa- 
tion. He assisted in the labors of the home faim 
until twenty-five years of age, when he began life 
for him.self. He was married near Milton, Iowa, 
in 1869, to Miss Eudora Wright, a native of Van 
Buren County, and a daughter of .lolin R. and 
Susan (Lownian) Wright, who were natives of 
Pennsylvania and Maryland respectively. In 
March, 183!). her father reached Iowa, and short ly 
afterwards came to Van Buren County, where in 
Harrisburg Township in 1840, he was married, lie 
was a brickmason and contractor, and for some 
years did a flourishing business in Keosauqua. 
His death occurred in Jackson Township, \:u\ 
Buren County, A[)ril 30, 1874, in the sixty-first 
year of his age, and his wife survived him just one 
year, dying on the 30lh of April, 1875. He took 
quite an active part in jwlitics during the eaily 
history of the countj*. and was honored with an 
election to the General Assembly in 1872, being 
the candi.late of the Republican party, the meas- 
ures and princii)les of which he strongly advocated. 

Soon after his marriage.- Mr. Clark settled upon 
a farm in Des Moines Township, which he still 
owns. This he inherited from his father, and wilh 
that as a beginning, he h.as become through iiulu.-i- 
try, perseverance and good management, one of 
the well-to-do citizens of the community. He also 
t.'ikes an active interest in politics and voles v/ith 
the Republican |)arly. He has been sent as a <lele- 
gate to the county. State and Congressional con- 
ventions, and his opinions carry weight with Hit m 
in these assemblies. He is a man of promineice 
and influence in the county, and one who is nexer 
backward in supporting any worthy enl?rpii.«e by 
voice, money or vote. He has lived in the county 
for many years, and is acquainted with .-ill of its 
needs. With piide he has watched its giowlb and 



462 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAl'llJCAL ALBUM. 



aideil in its progress. His meraory o^oes back to 
tlio (l:iys wiien Alexiiixlria, Mo., w;is tiie nenrest 
market; later they went to Keokuk for tiieir siip- 
plio<, until the raiiroarl facilities brougbt all 
needed articles, comforts and luxuries to Keosau- 
qua and other near points. 

Mr. and Mrs. Clark are the parents of four chil- 
dren, two sons ind two dauglilers. Samuel M., 
the eldest, is at home; .Sophia, is attending school 
at Keokuk, and .John R. and Elizalietli, the younger 
memhers of the family are still under the parental 
roof. 



'm= 



<^LBERT TURPIN McCLAIN, deceased, 
VvSiyJI once a leading citizen of Bucliannn Towr.- 
li ship, Jefferson County, was born in Cler- 
mont County, Ohio, November 2. 1854, of 
Scottish descent. The founder of the family in 
America, his p.aternal greal-greatgrandfaiher, emi- 
grated from Scotland to America prior to the Rer- 
ohuionary War, in wliicli he was a participant, and 
his son, the great-grandfather of our subject, was 
also a member of the Colonial Army in the same 
struggle. His father, George W. McClain, was 
born in Clermont County, Ohio, June 14, 1827,and 
on leaching manhood, he marrifid Miss Rebecca 
McNeill, who was born in the same county, April 
28, 182G. Their marriage wiis celebrated January 
30,1851. Three years previous, in 1848, he h.ad 
made his first visit to Jefferson County but did not 
make a pernianent location until 18G1, since which 
time he and his wife have resided at their pleasant 
home in Buchanan Township. Both are zealous 
Methodists and in the church to which they belong 
they bear no inconsiderable part of the burden of 
the burden of the work, but are ever ready to per- 
form any t.ask which will aid in the promotion of 
the cause. 

Our subject was the third in a family of seven 
children and from five y(;arsof age until his death, 
Jefferson County was the scene of his life and busi- 
ness enterprises. In his youth, he prepared hira.self 
for the profession of teaching, supplementing his 



course in the common schools by training in Howe's 
Academy, of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. After te.iching'a 
few terms, however, he decided that farming was 
better suited to his tastes and hence turned his en- 
ergies exclusively in that direction which in.«ured 
his success, for anything to which he gave his at- 
tention he labored at with untiling /.eal and in- 
dustry. 

On February 13, 1877, Mr. McClain was joined 
in marriage with ."Mary C, the daughter of John P. 
and Maiy J. (Lavell) Manalrey, both of whom 
were natives of France, the former born in Lo- 
raine, November 19, 1821. and the latter in Bal- 
four, on July 20, 1828. In 1837, Mr. Manatrey 
came to the Ignited States but it was not until 1847, 
that ho made a location in Jefferson County. Here 
he married Miss Lavell, who crossed the Atlantic 
to America with her parents and settled in Jeffer- 
son County, in 1845. Subsequent to his emigra- 
tion to this country, Mr. Manatrey learned the 
carpenter's trade which ])roved_^ of much use to 
him. for as the result of his knowledge of that busi- 
ness he was enabled to add many improvements to 
his farm, thereby greatly' enhancing its value. He 
came to the county a poor man butb}- industry and 
good management acquired a handsome competency 
ajid ere his death was numbered among the wealthy 
citizens of the community. Both he and his wife 
were faithful members of the Catholic Church and 
in politics, he was a stanch Democrat, lie was 
called to the home beyond, June 12, 188(1, but his 
wife still survives him. They had but two children, 
a son and daughter — John P. and Kate. 

Mrs. jMcClain was born in this county on June 
11, 1855, and remained at home until her marriage, 
after which the young couple located u|)on the 
farm in Buchanan Township wiiich is still her home. 
Their union was blessed with three children, 
namely: Nellie G., Frank L. and Julia M., all still 
with their mother. 

In his political sentiments, Mr. JlcClain was a 
Republican and for one term held the oflice of Trus- 
tee of his township. In the Methodist Church of 
which he was a member he took front rank among 
the active workers, was liberal in its support and 
took a deep interest in its welfare and success. As 
a business man he displayed much ability, and 



PORTRAIT AND IJIOORAPHICAL ALBUM. 



463 



tinift and inrlustr}' were among liis chief cliaracter- 
istics, as a glance at his fine farm of two liundred 
and ei,o;hly-three acres would indicate. A com- 
modious and pleasant home was surrounded by 
good barns and outbuildings, which in turn were 
enclosed by well tilled fields, and higii grades of 
stock were found upon the premises, showing that 
the owner was keeping pace with the times in all 
things, in all church and social affairs, l\Ir. Mc- 
C'lain took a leading part; he was a wide awake 
young man, held in high esteem and his death was 
truly a calamity to the community in which lie 
made his home. His widow still resides upon the 
homestead farm where she is surrounded by an in- 
teresting family of children and all the comforts 
and some of the luxuries of life. 




ILLIAM A. BARTON, one of the old set- 
A// ^''^'"* ^^ Jefferson County, whose home is 
WH' on section 33, Buclianan Township, is a 
native of the Buckej'e State, lie first opened his 
ryes to the light of day in Muskingum Count>', 
Ohio, IMaj- 14, 1840. gracingthe union of Alex and 
.Susan ((!iun) Barton. His father was born in 
County Fermanagh, Ireland, on the 23d of April, 
1.si)4, ancl in 1820. when a lad of sixteen years, he 
bafie good-bye to the Emerald Isle, and with his 
paicnts, two brothers and three sisters, set sail for 
,\nierica. After a long and tedious voyage of six- 
teen weeks they reached the shores of thr New 
World, and made their way to JIuskingum County, 
Ohio, where ihe boy Alex grew to manhood. He 
married Miss Ginn, who was born in .Vthen.s 
County, Ohio, about 1815. of Irish parentage. 
Both the paternal and maternal grandparents of 
our subject spent the remainder of their lives in 
the Buckeye State, and were believers in the Pro- 
testant doctrine. 

Tlie |iarents of \Villiain A. Barton were married 
in Athens County, but located in Muskingum 
County, .vhere the mother died in 1810, leaving 
three children — Jane, wife of William .M. Gillham, 



a lesident of Summerville, Ore. ; James G.,a Metho- 
dist minister belonging to the Southern Iowa Con- 
ference; and William A., of this sketch. The 
father, having obtained 91,200 worth of land war- 
rants, determined to eome to Jefferson County. 
Iowa, to locate the same, but before he had acccm- » 

plished his plans he contracted a severe cold. .\t 
that day bleeding was thought to be the cure for 
all ailments, and Mr. Barton underwent that treat- 
ment, but the cut was made too deep and destroyed 
an artery. Jlortificalion set in, and it was seen 
that the arm must be taken off, which was accom- 
plished with a shoe knife and hand-saw. It was 
not until 1853 that he finally made a location in 
Iowa. In that year he purchased land in Cedar 
Township on credit, but his sons assisted him in 
his labors until his farm had been paid for and he 
was placed in comfortable circumstances. His 
death occurred in Oregon on the 'Jth of December, 
1889. He h.ad served as Township Trustee, as 
Clerk and as Justice of the Peace in Ohio, and was 
also Trustee of Cedar Township. A respected and 
valued citizen, his death proved a loss to the com- 
nuiidty in which he made his home. In his relig- 
ious convictions he was a Methodist, but his wife 
held membership in the Baptist Church. 

In the usual manner of farmer lads our subject 
was reared t(; manhood, and that he might assist 
his father, who was disabled, in securing a comfort- 
able home, he remained unrler the parental roof 
until twenty-six years of .age, aiding in the farm 
labor. On the 10th of April, 1866, having deter- 
mined to make a home for himself, he chose as a 
life companion Miss Agnes Bartholomew, their ' 
wedding being celebrated on that da}'. The lady 
was born in Huntingdon County, Pa.. January 17, 
1840, and is a daughter of Thomas and Agnes 
(Spear) Bartholomew. Of the eight children born 
of that union, three died in childhood, and the 
living are: Sue M., Thomas A., William K., Min- 
nie A. and Harry K. 

Botii Mr. and Mrs. Barton are members of the 
Methodist i'lpisco|)al Church, and politically, he is 
a Democrat. His farm, consisting of one hundred 
and eighty acres of aralde land, situated on section 
3;!, BuchanHn Township, yields him a good income, 
for his fields are uniler a high slate of cultivation 



IG4 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



and receive all the c/ire required to make them 
yielii al)uii(lant harvests. His stock is also of 
good grades and bis home, with all its surround- 
ings, indicates thrift and cnteri)rise. He has lived 
for thirty-five years in the county and is a member 
of the Old .Settlers Society. 



^ 



-^ 




NDREW ALLLN McLEAN, late of Mil- 
ton, now deceased, was born in Westuiore- 
1 land County. Pa., Fel)ruary 24, 1814. His 
father, Thomas ^McLean, was of American 
Imth, liul of Sc'ijt<'li descent. :ind his mother, 
wliose maiden name was Sarah Matthews, was of 
Irish descent. Our subject received a common- 
school education, which was supplemented by self- 
cidlure and extensive reading, making him a well- 
inf(^rnied man. lie learned the trade of a tin and 
coppersmith in his youth In Somerset, Pa., and in 
1887 went to Connellsvllle, in that Stale, where he 
engaged In liuslness as a dealer in stoves and tin- 
ware. 

On the ;id of October. 1843, in Connellsvllle, 
jMr. .McLean married Miss Catherine E. LIttell, 
dinghler of Samuel and Catherine (Custer) LittcU. 
The lady was born in Unlontown, Payette County, 
Pa. M.iy li), 1819. Her mother was a daughter of 
(lenrge Custer, an own cousin to President George 
Washington, and (Jen. Custer, of world-wide repu- 
tation In Indian warfare, was a second cousin to 
Mrs. McLftm. Samuel Litlell, her father, was a 
man of superior mental force, self educated, a 
good scholar and an able public speaker. He was 
a prominent man in public affairs in his localitv, 
and was especially earnest in his efforts to promote 
the cause of lem|)erance. In company with the 
Rev. Archil)ild Kairchild ami Isaac Nixon, he 
formed tlie first temperance society west of the Al- 
leghaiilus. This family also had its representatives 
in the War of the Revolution, two uncles of Mr. 
LIttell having aided the Colonies in their struggle 
for independence. 

Mr. McLean continued business In Connells- 



vllle, Pa., untjil April. 18.JU when he sold out and 
removed to Athens, Ohio. The succeeding six 
j'ears were spent in farming within a mile of that 
city, and in 1H57, accompanied by his family, he 
took up his residence In Columbiana County, Ohio, 
where he followed the same jiursuit for a like pe- 
riod of time. Thence he removed to Malvern Hill, 
of the same State, w^here he vras engaged in the 
hardware, stove and tinware business until 180;), 
which year witnessed his arrival in Iowa, locating 
near Fremont, Mahaska County. The previous 
year, in company with A. R. Haines and A. Stew- 
art, Mr. McLean came to this Siate, bringing a 
flock of eighteen hundred merino sheep, the largest 
flock of sheep known to have crossed the Missis- 
sippi at Burlington up to that time. The year fol- 
lowing, 1866, he came with his family to \'an 
Buren County and purchased a farm, which is situ- 
ated six miles south of Keosauqna, and which com- 
prised a part of what is known as the Brooks 
Farm, one of the oldest settled places in the 
county. There Mr. McLean carried on farming 
until 1871. when became to Milton with the ex- 
tension of the Burlington it Southwestern Railroad 
to this place. On coming to the city, he again 
embarked in mercantile pursuits, carrying a full 
line of stoves, tinware, hardware and farming im- 
plements. His son, S. L. McLean, v;.as associated 
with him in business as equal partner, and the con- 
nection was continued until the death of the father, 
which occurred October 2!), 1885, since which 
time the busi.aess has been carried on by the son. 
Unto Mr. and Mrs. McLean were born five chil- 
dren, one son and four daughters — Samuel LIttell. 
the only son, was born in Connellsville, Pa., Au- 
gust 1 1, 1S4I, ai'd on the 2.5th of Se|)tember, 1879, 
married Miss Maggie Bruce, daughter of Amor 
Bruce. She was born in ^'an Buren County, in 
March. 18()0. and died at their home in Mdton, 
.September 28. 1881. One child was born of their 
union, a son. who died at the age of nine months, 
four days prior to the death of the mother. Emma 
Louisa, the second child of the family, was born 
in Connellsville, Pa., November 27, 184'J, and is 
the wife of Alonzo L.'Marsan, a native of Van 
Buren County, now living In Milton; Sarah Belle, 
born near Athens, Ohio, January 11, 1856, died in 



PORTRAIT AND BIOORAPHICAL ALBUM. 



465 



A'aii Biiien County, October 29, 1872, at llie sige 
of sixteen and a half years; Flora C. was born in 
Malvern, Ohio, May 16, 1861, and is now the wif(- 
K. B. Cassady, of Milton. 

Mr. McLean was a member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church for forty years, and then joined 
the Methodist Protestant, to which denomination 
he belonged at liie tine of his death. In politics 
he was an old-line Democrat, and although he was 
never ambitious of official distinction, he was al- 
ways an earnest supporter of bis party principles 
and took a warm interest in its success. On com- 
ing to Milton, he retained the ownership of his 
farm of two hundred acres near Keosauqua. which 
is now tiic propert}' of Mrs. McLean. The farm 
is well improved with good buildings, and com- 
prises one of the most valuable tracts of land in the 
locality. Mrs. McLean, who is a bright, intelligent 
lady, well preserved physically and mentally, re- 
sides at the old homestead in Milton, wliicii is still 
the home of some of her children. She is a con- 
sistent member of the Methodist Protestant Church 
and is held in high esteem by all who enjoy her 
acquaintance. 

Jlr. McLean was a man of superior mental force, 
sound judgment and natural ability. He was en- 
ergetic and earnest in whatever he undertook, and 
was governed by his intercourse with the world 
by principles of the strictest integrity and honesty. 
lie accumulated a goodly property b}' legitimate 
means of labor and judicious investments, and died 
in the enjoyment of the good will and kindly re- 
gard of a wide circle of aequaintaneis and friends. 



^^-^^#^€ 



H] AMES BESWICK. Sk.. one of the honored 
early settlers of Van Buren County, is of 
English birth, and a son of Jamesand Eliza- 
beth (Gaywood) Beswiek, who were also 
natives of England. By trade his father was a shoe- 
maker, and dill an extensive business, furnishing 
employment to several men. Wishing to try his 
fortune in the New World, in 1818, accompanied 



by his family, he crossed the Atlantic to America, 
and made a location in Washington County, Ohio, 
where he turned his attention to the occupation of 
farming. Me reached the allotted three-score years 
and ten, and his wife died at the ripe old ago of 
eighty -six years. Six children accompanied them 
on their emigration to the United .States, of whom 
three are now living — James. Mrs. Elizabeth 
Beach and George. The two latter are residents of 
Ohio. 

James Beswiek was born in the town of Stock- 
l)Ort, Cheshire, England, on the i;Uh of April, 
1806, and ere leaving his native land had mastered 
the common English branches of learning. Leav- 
ing the parental roof at nineteen years, he began 
life's battle with the world to struggle forward and 
at last gain the victory. By years of industry and 
toil, supplemented by good business abilit}' and 
fair dealing, he acquired a eompetence which now 
enables him to live a retired life and rest from the 
toils of former years. Along life's journey, aiding 
him in all possible ways and encouraging him in 
hours of adversity, has walked one who for sixty- 
four years has truly proved a helpmate to him — his 
wife. On the 10th of December. 1826, he led to 
the marriage altar .Miss Augusta E. Thorniley, a 
native of Washington County, Ohio, born .lanuary 
18, 1801. Her parents were William and Elizabeth 
(Markham) Thorniley. the former a native of 
Cheshire and the latter of London, England. In 
early life both came to the United .States. Her 
father, with his parents and her mother, who had 
been left an orphan in early girlhood, with friends. 
Soon after their marriage the\' removed to Ma- 
rietta, Ohio, where Mr. Thorniley worked in a 
ship-yard. He died at the age of lifty-six years, 
but his wife lived to the advanced age of eighty- 
six. Mrs. Beswiek is the only one of their seven 
children now living. 

For many years Mr. Beswiek carried on farming 
in Ohio, but at length, in 1850, he resolved to seek 
a home further west, and located in Van Buren 
County, Iowa, wliere he purchased one hundred 
acres of land on section 23, Union Township. That 
farm continued to be his home for nineteen years, 
when, in 1869. he and his estimable wife removed 
to Winchester, where they ex])ect to spend their 



46G 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



last flays. Mo was a snccossifiil fanner, and in all 
lii« floaliiifjs liis Iransnc'tions were marked by an 
n plight nt'ss and honesty which won him the confi- 
dence of all with whom he came in conUct. He 
has bee'i a voter for some sixty-two years. He cast 
his first Prcsideiitiiil ballot for Andrew Jackson in 
1828, and has continned to support the Democratic 
parly. 

Into .Mr. and Mrs. Heswick were born twelve 
chililren. six of whom are yet living: George G., 
who resides in Memphis, Mo.; James, whose sketch 
appears cisewlipre in this volume; !\Irs. Fannie 
I'lnmnuM- ami .Mrs. August Whitaker, who reside 
in Van Buren County; Thomas T., whose sketch is 
!>;ivi'n elsewhere; and Mrs. Minerva Thornilcj-, of 
N'.in liiiriii County. 

The piri'nts of this family have now reached an 
adv.^nccd age, and their lives have been well and 
Worthily spent. They have reared a family of 
children >vho occupy imporUnt [)Ositions in society, 
.•md have exerted an infiuence on the side of uio- 
r:dity which will be felt long after ihcy have passed 
away. 'I'he kindness and cliarit3' of their lives has 
Won them friends and the respect of tlie entire 
community is unreservedly- given them. 



3aHEMi^i5 



NDRKW CASTILE. The history of Jef- 
ferson County would be incomplete irith- 
/// li> out the sketch of this gentleman, who, as 
J^ one of the Swedish colonists, settled in the 

comniiniily at an early day and has been identified 
with all enterprises calculated for its upbuilding 
and imi)royement. lie was born in Sweden on the 
3rd of March. 1823, and at the very early age of 
nine years began life for himself. His father had 
died six yens previous and as the family w.a.< in 
limited ( ircumstanccs he was thrown upon his own 
resour.' s at an age when most boys were just be- 
gMinin;.' their education. His scholastic training 
was necessarily very limited for his time had to be 
spent in providing for his own maintenance. As 
befiire stated he began to make his own wa\ in the 



world when a lad of nine j'ears. going about the 
country making shoes as was the custom in that 
da}-. There were eight children in his father's 
family — Isaac and Peter who remained in Sweden; 
Mar}' and Louisa, who like their elder brothers 
spent their lives in tlieir native land; Charlie and 
Lena who died in .Sweden; Andrew, the subject of 
this sketch, and John, a resident of Salina, Iowa. 
The mother of the family died about the year 1860. 

Andrew Castile followed his trade of sboemak- 
ing for some eighteen years, continuing work in 
that line for three years after his arrival in this 
countr}-, bis shop being located in Fairfield. The 
year 1848 witnessed his emigration to America and 
Rock Island, 111., was the place of his first settle- 
ment, but on the 4th of July, 1849, he arrived in 
Fairfield, where he continued the shoem.iking 
business until 1852. Coming to Lockridge Town- 
shi|) at that time, he purchased eighty acres of land 
which has since continued to be his home, cover- 
ing a i)eriod of more than a third of a century. At 
that time not a building had been erected between 
his home and Fairfield, which gives some iilea of 
the unsettled condition of the county at that time. 
Much of the land was still unclaimed, many of the 
towns and vill.ages had not j-et sprung into exist- 
ence and the work of civilization had scarcely be- 
gun. Mr. Castile erected the first frame house in 
the neiijbhorhood and has greatly increased the 
value of his property by the addition of many ex- 
cellent improvements. The homestead farm com- 
prises Ihrej hundred and twenty acres which is 
operated by his sons, he havjng laid aside the more 
active duties of life. 

By the side of Mr. Castile along life's journey 
has walked one who has shared in his hardships and 
trials, has encouraged and sustained him in adver- 
sity and delighted in his successes and iiros|)erit\-. 
The maiilen name of this lady was Sarah Elizabeth 
Anderson, and she became his wife on September 
30, 1819. She came to this country with the .Swed- 
ish colony, headed by Peter Cassel (in regard to 
which see the sketch of A. F. Cassel on another 
page of this volume.) Her l)irtl>«curred on the 
8th of July, 1824, and she w.is reare(Tu()on the pa- 
rental farm. Twelve children were born unto Mr. 
and Mrs. Castile, eight of whom are \el living — 



^ % 





W. A. DUCKWORTH. 



PORTRAIT AND lUOGRAPIIICAL ALBUM. 



4G9 



Anilrow A., lioin Octolicr 1, 1H50, inaiik'd iMniivi 
AnilersDii of Ileiiiy County, and is living in York, 
Nch. ; Mniy Ilel'ina. boiii March 1, 1852, is Uie 
wilV <jf Aiij!ust Berg, a morchant of Colorado; 
•loliM F... liorn December 3. 1853, \Yedded Tillie 
Carl.-ion, and is engaged in mercantile business at 
Omalia, Neb.; Isaac L.,born April 13, 1855, mar- 
ried .Sarrtli Peterst)n and is operating a part of the 
homestead farm; .Small E., l)<)rn January 8, 1857, is 
the wife of Oscar Larson, who lives on a part of 
the Castile farm; Martin W., Matilda Rosina and 
.Martin Luther all died in early childliood; Robert 
i.inciiiii, Ijiiru January 2. 1864, was married in 
lUirliiiglon, to Krama Wall, and is now clerking in 
Kearney, Neb. ; Delia Matilda, born December 8, 
1865, and Gust A., born July 3, 1868, are at lionie; 
Frank \V..died at the age of two years. The chil- 
dren all received good common-school educational 
advantages and Robert L. was a student in Parsons 
College for two years. The parents and children 
.•lie all faithful members of the Methodist Kpisco- 
pal Chuicli, in which the father holds the oflice of 
beacon. He takes great interest in both church 
and Snnd.ay-school work, has aided not a little in 
the uiibuilding of the society to which he belongs 
all 1 h \s given liberally to the support of the cause. 
In his early life, Mr. Castile was a" Whig, but has 
identifu'd himself with the Republican party since 
its organization and with one exception his sons 
are all stalwart Republicans, doing their best work 
for the party. Mr. Castile is an honored pioneer 
of Jefferson County, having not only witnessed 
but been an active participant in its many changes. 
He is I ow living in retirement, enjoying the fruits 
of a well spent life. 



-^ 



m 



AFT. WILLIAM A. DUCKWORTH, one 
,. ^ of the wideawake business men of Keosau- 
qua, is engaged in farming, is a dealer in 
lumber, and is a contractor with the Chicago, Hock 
Island (k Pacific Railroad Com|)any. to which he 
Lrnishes ties and timlier. .Men of his enterprise 



and business capacity add not a little to the growth 
and progress of the city, and it was fortunate for 
Keosauqua that In- chose there to make his home. 
The Captain, a native of Greencastle, Ind., was 
born May 31, 1837. and is a son of Thomas C. 
Duckworth. His father, who was born in North 
Carolina. June 12, 1811, in earl\ life emigrateil to 
Washington County, Ind., and later to Greencas- 
tle, where he became acquainted with and married 
Miss Rachel T. .Stone, whose birtii occurred on the 
14th of October, 1814, in Mercer County, Ky. By 
their union were born nine children, five sons and 
four daughters, as follows: Mary A., who became 
the wife of George C. O'Neil, and died in Moulton, 
Iowa, in the fall of 1888; John A., who enlisted as 
a private in Company G, Second Iowa Infantry, 
and w.as promoted ti) the rank of captain for gal- 
lant service, died in .Savannah, Ga., in December, 
1864, leaving a widow, whose maiden name was 
Rebecca C. Evans; William A., whose name heads 
this sketch, is the next younger; Sarah A., who 
died near Denver, Colo., in 1887, was the wife of 
W. V. Haniinett; Dr. D. A., a practicing physician 
of Keosauqua; Fnoch A., who also served in the 
Second Iowa Infantry; Elizabeth J., of Bloomfield; 
G. Lewis, tiealer in harness and .agricultural imple- 
ments, of Bloomfield; and Celesta A., wife of Har- 
rison Bruce, of .Sherman, Kan. 

Thomas C. Duckworth, the father of this family 
was a man of more than ordinary ability. He pos- 
sessed a |)owerful mind, was a strong reasoner and 
deep thinker, and was very successful in his chosen 
professi(ni of teaching, which he followed for many 
years. Politically, he was a stalwart Democrat, and 
was favoied with several local ollices of trust, while 
a resident of Indiana. In 1854, he emigrated to 
Davis County, Iowa, where his death occurred in 
1888. In early life both he and his wife were mem- 
bers of the Presbyterian Church, but after coming 
West, there was no church organization of that de- 
nomination in the neighliorhood where they settled, 
and they associated themselves with the Methodist 
Church. 

In his3-oiith our subject received limited eihica- 
tional advantages, but to-day we find him a well- 
informed man. .Studious by nature, and possessing 
an observing eye and rettntive memory, he has 



170 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



f!imiliaii/.i-(t himself with many slaiidanl works, and 
has uainc'il a practical knowledge of men and their 
manners which could not have been acquired from 
lext books, and wliicli has been of great benefit *.o 
him in his business career. He also has a knowl- 
edge of many subjects of ■■general interest, is posted 
in ngaid to political affairs, and is a pleasing con- 
versationalist. At the age of eighteen years he was 
apprenticed to the millwright's tr.ade, and having 
become a proficient workman, followed the busi- 
ness for seviral years, dm ing which time be con- 
structed a number of the best mills in Southern 
Iowa. On the 26th of July, 18.5'J. he was united in 
mairingc with Miss Rebecca C. Evans, daughter of 
William and Eli/abetli (Goldsmith) Evans, but ere 
two ^•ca^» liad passed away, lie was called from 
home Mini wife to serve his country upon Southern 
battle fields. 

Capt. Duckworth watched with interest yet with 
appichensiou. the progress of events in the South, 
and noted with disfavor the attitude which the 
Southern States assumed, and when his worst hopes 
were realized and Ft. Sumter w.as fired upon, he re- 
solved that he would strike a blow in defense of 
Ids country'.^ honor, and the close of the week fol- 
low iiiir the assault of the fort, saw him enlisted 
ainoiii!; the boys in blue. He was mustered into 
service at Keokuk as a member of Company C!, 
.Second Iowa Infantry, and after a short rendezvous 
was sent to Hannibal, Mo., to guard the Hannibal 
it St. .loe Railroad. On the return of the troops 
to St. Louis, tiiey were soon afterward sent to Bird's 
Point, opposite Cairo, 111., but in a short time re- 
turned to ."^t. Louis, and guarded the rebel prison- 
ers. Later the regiment was ordered to Ft. Donel- 
son. and during the battle w.as jilaced in the front 
ranks, and received the credit and honor of being 
ilie lirst r«"giment to break the works. Their next 
engagement was at the battle of Sliiloh, .as a jwrt 
of Gen. W. 11. L. Wallace's Division, and Cajit. 
Duckworth was near the General when he was shot 
from his horse. This was followed by the battle of 
luka, and the lirst and second l)attles of Corinth, 
the Second Iowa then remaining at Corinth until 
after the siege of Vicksburg was raised when a por- 
tion of the regiment, including our subject, was 
granle<l a Ihirty-days furlough. On rejoining his 



command, Mr. Duckworth was made First Lieuten- 
ant of the One Hundred and Tenth Regiment Col- 
ored Infantry, and on the 2tth of September, 1864, 
was att.acked by Forrest, who, greatly superior in 
numbers, captured the entire command, sending 
them as prisoners to Enterprise, Miss., where they 
were paroled. The treatment they there received 
differs vastl}' from that of the experience of many 
others; in fact, they were vvell treated, and as Capt. 
Duckworth remarks, were "allowed to wear a boiled 
shirt, and go to meeting on .Sundays." Later they 
were sent to .St. Louis and exchanged, and then 
joined the armj' at Savannah, Ga., whence the Cap 
tain made his way to Goldsborough, N. C, where 
he resigned, April 6, 1865. On the return trip he 
passed through Washington, D. C. and w.as in the 
city the night of the assassination of President Lin- 
coln. 

After a four-years' experience on .Southern bat- 
tle fields, during which he endured many hardships 
and privations, Capt. Duckworth returned to his 
home and business. From 186.5 until 1874, he en- 
gaged iu milling in Davis County, Iowa, but in the 
hatter year sold out and removed to Ottumwa, 
Iowa, where he owned and operated a foundry for 
a short time, but fire destroyed his propertj', and 
he lost nearly all he had. In company with Dr. 
Cook, he then built a mill, but sold his interest in 
the business to his partner in 1876, since which 
time he has been engaged in furnishing ties and 
timber to the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Rail- 
road Company, with headquarters in Floris, Eldon 
and Kcosauqua. In 1882, he removed to the latter 
cit}', where lie has since made his home, and in .ad- 
dition to the enterprise before mentioned, he is also 
engaged in the lumber business and in farming. In 
politics, the Captain is a stanch sup[)orter of the 
Democracy, and while residing in Davis County, 
was honored with the nomination of State Senator, 
but as the county has an overwhelming Republican 
majority, he could not hope for an election. So- 
cially, he is a member of the Masonic fraternity, 
belonging to the Blue Lodge, Cliapter and Com- 
mandery. 

In 1889, Capt. Duckworth suffered the loss of 
his wife, who died at their home in Keosauqua, on 
tiic 2.Tth of .Inly, leaving a family of four children; 



PORTRAIT AM) BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



i: 



Allu-rl S.. llorbort Iv. Kachel E., and Lewis S. The 
r . wife and mother was a most eslimaliie lady, and a 
I ^ sincere Christian, a member of the Conjjregaliunal 

Cliiirc'h. Htloved for her many exeeilencies of 
' character, and respected by all who knew her, her 

death was sincerely mourned by a large circle of 

friends and acquaintances. 



— >^i:i;V55i?^;^^^=-^ 



//^ KORGK ^y. BKLL. i.f the nrra of Hill, Bell & 
ll g— : Kays, dcah'i'S in lumber, grain and live 
\iJ|j stock, of Jlilton, Iowa, was born on a farm 
two and a half miles north of Keosauqua, one of 
the (irsl farnisopened in ^'an Bnren County, on the 
l.sth of June, 1840, and is a son of James and 
ISarliara (Walker) Bell, a sketch of whom appears 
ilsewliere in this work. His education was ac- 
quired in the common schools of the neighborhood 
and his yuuihful days were spent mid play and 
work in llic usual uianner of farmer lads. Having, 
at length attained to mature years, he w,as united 
i.i marriage with Miss Malvina Frazee, daughter 
of William Frazee. bhe was born in Ohio and 
came to this county during childhood. Their 
marritge was celenraled on the 5th of January, 
18G2, in Van Buren County, and blessed with a 
family of eight children, two sons and six daugh- 
ters, as follows: Emer}' L., who mai ried Etha 
Ptllit, and is living in Pueblo, Col.; .Mary I., wife 
of Kllieit Davis, a resident farmer of Davis County; 
Baihara Alice, wife of John P. Denning, who is 
also engaged in farnnng in Davis Count\'; Angie, 
at home; Sadie, wife of George Likes, of Davis 
County, a le.<»cher bv profession; Jennie and Willie 
A., at home; anil one child who died in infancy. 
The death of the mother occurred April IG, 1!S88. 
She was a uu ml)er of the Methodist Church. 

Mr. Bell was again marrieil on the I4lh of No- 
vember. 1.S.S8, in Milton, to .Alary Elizabeth Rus- 
sell, daughter t>f John Russell, and a native of 
Sussex County, Del., whence she removed to lona 
will) her parents in early childhood, the family 
I eating in Van Buren County. Mr. and Mrs. Bell 



are members of the Meliiodist Church, and in 

political sentiment he is a supporter of Democratic 
principles. 

The children of James l{ill, father of our sub- 
ject, were reared to habits of industry and integrity 
and have proved worthy of their ancestry, while 
their lives have been carried out in accordance 
with the teachings and example of their parents. 
As a family they are universally respected, and in 
business the sons of James Bell hold their word as 
s.iered as did their father before Ihem, whirli trait 
of ehar.icter is sure to command respect and confi- 
dence. George Bell entered upon his business 
career as a farmer of Roscoe Township. Davis 
County, and continued operations in the line of an 
agriculturist until the autumn of 1«'.)(). He is yet 
the owner of two farms, aggregating six hundred 
and forty-five acres of land which he still h.-is in 
charge. He has farmed and dealt in live stock 
since early manhood, and since becoming a mem- 
ber of the firm of Hill. Bell it Kays he has attended 
to the live-stock department of the business prin- 
cipally. This firm does an luinual business of over 
^250,000. and as its members are men of worth, 
ability and enterprise, they have won the confidence 
and respect of their patrons. Mr. Bell is a member 
of Aurora Lodge, No. 00. A. F. A .\. .M. 



lU^ ON. LEONARD KING, of Farmington, is 
numberedamong the pioneer settlers of \a)i 
v4^^ Buren County. His residence in this sec- 

X^) tion dales from 1H;?8, consequently covers 
a period of fifty two consecutive years. Few of 
the settlers of that early day yet remain to tell the 
story of Iowa life during the days when the State 
furuied a part of the extreme Western frontier. 

Mr. King was born in Cayuga County, N. V.,on 
the 22d of April, 1807. and was one of a family of 
twelve children, whose parents were I'aul and Eu- 
nice (Morgan) King. His father was born on Long 
Island in I7tj2, and his ninilu'r. u native of Con- 
necticut, was born in 1<7.">, Becoming residents 



■i: 



P(3RTRAIT AND BIOGUAPIIICAL ALBUM. 



of New York in youtli. they were married in the 

HMi|iirc St;ile. mimI Utv many years rcsiiled in Or- 
leans County. A family of twelve cliililrcn was 
born unto llieni. all of whom grew to mature years, 
were manierl anrl reared families of their own, bub 
our subject is now the only survivor, and upon him 
devolves the duly of iierpetuating their memory by 
written reeoid: Henry, the eldest, died in Califor- 
nia ; Klizabetli became the wife of Reuben Ellis, and 
tliey Min<le their home in Wisconsin ; .Sylvester died 
III about the nge of seventy-five years; Knoch emi- 
Kr.ited to .Mississippi, and siibsequeutly removed to 
Tixas, where he died of yellow fever; William S. 
fiiim the aije of eighteen months made his home 
with an uncle who was a printer, and with him 
learned that trade. When fourteen years old, lie 
wenf. to Charleston, S. C, arriving in that city with 
only fourteen cents in his pocket, but he soon en- 
tered tiie Courier ofliee, where he remained, rising 
steadily step by .step until at his death he had be- 
come owner of the paper, and a man of wealth and 
iiillnence in the comniuMity ; Sarah became the wife 
of .Vbraliam Fi-k; and Susan her twin sister, inar- 
li.d Hiley Fisi<. and both families settled in Jeffer- 
son County, N. Y.; Elijah died near <iuincy. III.; 
Lui'v became tlie wife of Henry Barlholemew, and 
their home was in Orleans County, N. Y.; Leo - 
aril, of this sketch, is the next younger; Eile mar- 
ried E|)liraim Beardsley, and settled near Quincy, 
111.: Russell 1'. became a resident of Adams County, 
Iowa, but afterward removc('. to Lee Countj'. The 
parents of this family lived to .an advanced age, 
and dieil within three days of each other, from ex- 
posure while maliing a trip to the home of their son 
in .lefferson Count3'. They were consistent and 
faithful members of the Christian Church, whose 
upriiiht lives and many deeds of charity and kind- 
ness won them the love and esteem of all. Their 
children were reared to habits of industry, and in 
early life deep lessons of truth were impressed upon 
tliiir minds. They became good citizens and mem- 
bers of society, doing honor to the training of their 
Christian parents. 

The member of the family in whom the people 
Van Burcn County are especially interested— Leon- 
ard King — was educated in the common schools of 
his native State and at Fredonia .\cadeuiy. lie 



prepared himself for teaching, but did not follow 
that occupation, circumstances ariaing which caused 
him to devote his attention to other i)ursuiis. He 
was ui'irried in F'redonia, Chautauqua County, N. 
Y.. in 1833, to Miss Angelinc Beardsley, a native 
of Massachusetts. Their union w.as blessed with 
two children, but death visited the home, and both 
were taken away. The daughter, Olive, became the 
wife of Thomas Stark, and died in this county; 
Miles, an onl}' son, was a joung man of more than 
ordinary abilit3% quick to learn, and of excellent 
habits, but in 18G1, feeling that his country needed 
his services, he enlisted for the late war, and laid 
flown his life on the altar of freedom. He was as- 
signed to Company B. of the Tiiird Iowa Cavalry, 
and mustered in at Keokuk. He remained with his 
regiment up to the last, was always found at his 
post of dut}', and never shirked a task im]X)sed on 
him. In. an engagcmenton the lOth of April, 18G5, 
he was wounded, and three days later in Columbus, 
Ga., he closed his eyes in the last sleep, and was 
laid to rest on Southern soil. Mr. King was ten- 
dered a pension, but would not accept it on ac- 
count of an oath to which he had to swear. He 
would not perjure himself for a few i)allry dollars, 
but with the integrity which has characterized his 
entire life he relinquished all claim to the money, 
rather than sacrifice his honor. 

It was in 1838, that Mr. King first came to Iowa. 
Van ]')Uren County was then wild and unsettled, 
and its brightness could never have been dreamed 
of, much less realized. The work iif im|)rovement 
seemed scarcely begun, only a few log cabins hav- 
ing been built here and there over the county, but 
he has lived to see commodious and elegant resi- 
dences lepl.ace the pioneer homes, while a school- 
house has been built on almost every hilltop, with 
a church by its side, the outcome of the enterprise 
of a well-educated and contented people, the citi- 
zens of a once unsettled commuuit}-. Countless 
manufactories have sprung up on every hand, rail- 
roads cross and reeross the country, penetrating 
every nook and corner of this vast State, aiul tele- 
graph and telephone have been introduced, permit- 
ting man to address a message, or to converse with 
one hundreds of miles away. Taking into consid- 
eration these things, we can but exclaim, "surely 



I'OKTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



473 



the aye of wonders is upon us. " The progress made 
in A'aii Buren County, is due almost entirely to its 
jiioiieers, and not the least of those who left com- 
fortable homes in the East, and endured the trials 
and hardships of Western life, is Leonard King. 
Van Huren County owes to him a debt of jrralitude 
for the work he has i)erfornied in her lielialf. 

As the years have passed liringiug chanjjes to 
the county, IMr. Kii>g; has also prosi)ered and his 
efforts have been crowned with success. Only a 
few clouds have come to darken his pathway, and 
these were occasioned by the loss of his children, 
and his estimable wife, who died on the 27th of Oc- 
tober, 1866. She was a member of the Methodist 
Church, and her death was mourned by a large con- 
course of people. 

In 1839, Mr. King removed to Lee County, and 
the following year w.as commissioned by Gov. Lu- 
cas as Justice of the Peace, which commission is 
still in his possession. After tenj'ears however, he 
returned to Van Huren County, where ho has since 
made his home.' He was honored with the office of 
Ma3-<>r of Farmington, and for a number of yeai'S 
was a member of the City C\)unciL. Faithful and 
prompt in the discharge of every duty, he proved 
a capable official. His life is characterized by the 
strictest integrity, in his dealings he is honest and 
upright, and his word is as good as his bond. 



-./VjJ — 4 



LARK VAN NOSTRAND, a prominent far- 
I-. nier and early settler of Buclianan Town- 
ship, Jefferson County, residing on section 
18, is a native of Ohio. Me was born in Ashland 
County. January 12, ls:?l. and traces his ancestry 
back to Holland. Tlie progenitors of the family 
in America, crossed tlie Atlantic at a very early 
day in the history of this country, and settled in 
Pennsylvania. His |)aternal grandfather emigrate<l 
from that State to Ohio, but ere tin' remi>v;il. there 
w.ss born in Westmoreland County, on the 1st of 
September, 1800, .-v little son, to whom w:is given 
the name of John. That child was a lad of tifti en 



years when the family took up their residence in 
Ohio. .Soon afterward his father dieil. and the 
burden of supporting the family fell upon the 
young lad, who, in the midst of the forest devel- 
oped a farm, whereby he provided for the mainten- 
ance of his mother, brothers, and sisters. He was 
the oldest of eight children, the family being com- 
posed of three sons and five daughters. In Ash- 
land County. Ohio, he married .>Iiss Eliza (Iribben. 
who was a native of Pennsylvania, but of Irish de- 
scent, her |)arents having been born in Ireland. Mr. 
Van Noslrand then made a farm for himself, and 
there reared his sons to habits of industry. On 
the 9lh of .September, 1850, loading the household 
effects into wagons, the family started for Iowa, 
reaching their destination after twenty-tliree d.ays 
of travel. The father purchased two hundred 
acres of lami, the farm now owned by our subject, 
and there spent the reniainiler of his life, but he 
was not long permitted to enjoy hi? new home, fur 
after an eight-years' residence in Iowa, his death 
occurred on the 6th of April, 18.09. His wifi was 
called home about three years previous, dying in 
November, 18.")5, at the age of lifty-four years. 
I'.olh were memljers of the Christian Church from 
early life, and the record which they made is one 
of which their children may well be proud. Their 
family numbered four sons and three daughters, 
but only three are now living: William, a resident 
farmer of Decatur County, Iowa; Amanda, wife 
of John Birkhimer. whose home is in Fremont 
County, Iowa. 

Clark Van Nostrand, the other surviving member 
of the family, and the one whose history is identified ff 
with 'hat of Jefferson County, has lived a usefid 
■and upright life, and ranked an;ong the valued citi- 
zens of the community. As S"K)n as he was old 
enough he was put to work upon his father's f:irm. 
and before the removal of the family to Iowa, lie 
learned the cooper's trade. On reaehiui; this Stale, 
he found his services in that line were in denrind. 
and niaile many an extra flollar by work at the same 
when the weather or other causes prevented farm 
labor. Though lawfully his own master, he re- 
mained at home and operated his falher'ii farm, un- 
til, at length, having accumulated some surpli.s 
monev, he entered two hundred acres of land in 



4T4 



PORTllAIT AND BIOGRAIMIICAL ALBUM. 



Decatur County. That continued to be his home 

lull ii short lime, whi-ii lie soM out, and in companj^ 
with his brothor Lewis, he piii-fh.ised the old home- 
slead, of which he became sole owner after five 
years. 

An important event in the life of Mr. Van Nos- 
trand, occurred on the 23d of April, 185!l, when he 
led to the tn:u ri;ige uUar Misi Sarah Whiting, a na- 
tive of Ashland County, Ohio, born April 9, 1832. 
Her parents "ere Samuel H. and Rebecca (Shaw) 
Whiting, the former a native of Maine, and the lat- 
ter of Pennsylvania. They became early settlers 
of the Buckeye State, and the year 1856 witnessed 
their arrival in Iowa. I'pon their marriage, Mr. 
and Mrs. Van Nostrand took up their abode on the 
old homestead, which they have never left for an- 
other place of residence. The home was blessed 
with a family of seven children, numbering six sons 
and one daughter, but four of the nuiuber died in 
childhood. Kmina, the only ihuigliter, is now the 
wife of Benjamin L. Gossick, a resident farmer of 
Buchanan Township; Andrew B. is engaged in 
agricultural pursuits in Colorailo; anci Lewis W. is 
at home. 

For many years both Mr. and Mrs. X'an Nos- 
traiul have been identified with the Christian 
Church. Tliey are charter members of the Fairfield 
church, in which for some twent}' years he has held 
the office of Elder. Not ouly^ has he given freely 
to its support, but he has also m.ade liberal dona- 
tions to Oskaloosa College, and Drake Universil3-, 
which institulions are under the auspices of the 
Christian Church. Me makes his religion a |)art of 
his daily life, is charitable and benevolent, and in 
his good works finds a ready and willing assistant 
in his estimable wife. lie cast his first Presidential 
vole for Seoll, and in political sentiment, since the 
organization of the party, has been a Republican. 
Caring little for public otiice, he has never sought 
j)olitical preferment, but in 1880 was the choice of 
township for the ollice of Countv Supervisor, and 
for three years he served as Township Assessor. 
His landed possessions now aggregate four hundred 
and ten acres, one of the best farms in the neigh- 
borhood. A glance at the well tilled fields indi- 
cates to the passcr-liy that the owner is a man of 
thrift and indusli'v. and in looking inlo his stables 



and seeing the tine grades of horses, cattle, sheep 
and hogs which he raises, we see that he is a man 
of progressive ideas, who is ever abreast with Ihe 
limes. He has gained the greater part of his pos- 
sessions through his own efforts, and is regarded 
b3' all who know him as one of the leading citizens 
of Buchanan Township. Many friends will bi' 
pleased to receive this brief sketch of his life which 
deserves a place in the volume of his countVy's his- 
tory for many reasons, he being an earlj- settler, a 
representative farmer. and good citizen, but mostly 
because he is an upright roan whose e:^ample is 
worthy of emulation. 



^I^# 



;« IfclLLIAM GOODIN,son of the pioneer, Asa 
% fj/l f^'O'Jf''"' claims Ohio as the State of his 
^^/^ nativity, his birth having occurred on the 
1 till of jS'ovember, 18.'58, in Perry County. How- 
ever, lie there sjjent but six years of his life. In 
1841 he accompanied his parents on lliiir emigra- 
tion t(j the Territory of Iowa and in Ihe distiict 
schools of \'an Buren County he acquired a lim- 
ited education. As his father needeci his services 
his ullendance at school covered only about six 
terras, but subseipient reading, observation and 
experience have made him a well-informed man. 
In 1854, wlien a lad of sixteen years, he left llie 
parental roof and started out in life for himself, 
making his own way in the world as a day laliorei'. 
In 1855 he began niuuing upon the Des Moines 
J and Mississipi)i rivers and ff)llowed that business 
I for some six years. Feeling that the country 
! nee(!ed his services and believing it his dniy to 
respond to the call for troops, he enlisted at the 
beginning of the war, joining Company A, of Ihe 
First Iowa Cavalry, on the ISlli of .lime. 18(;i, at 
Keokuk. He partieipaled in all the engagorjenls 
of his company and remained with the regiment, 
I faithfully performing his duly, until mustered out 
at Davenport, Iowa. 

On leaving the service. Mr. Goodin reluined to 
Farminglon where he embarked in the grocery 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



business, wliioli lie lins since followed. On i'm;- 
liiirlving ill liiisiiiess he invested siT/i, but the stuck 
he has greatly increased to accoiniiiodate his ever 
growing patronage. He lias now one (if the lead- 
ing stores in Farinington, where may l>e foiiiid the 
best grades of everything kept in a first <;lass 
grocery. Conrteous treatment and fair dealing 
have won him favor with the pulilic and he ik)w 
reaps a g(jod income from his business. 

It was in the month of September, lb!64, that 
AVilliatn (ioo<lin and Miss Matilda IJogers. a native 
of Ohio, were united in marriage. Their union 
was ble.ssed with two children, Inez and William 
Collier, who died November 2.j, 18.S.'!. In polit- 
ical sentiment Mr. (ioodiii is a Democrat, and in 
civic societies belonging to the Orancl Army of 
the Republic and the Masonic fraternity. He is a 
Knight Templar Mason, Treasurer in the Blue 
Lodge and .Scribe of the Chapter. Mr. Goodin is 
an enterprising and progressive citizen who labors 
for the upbuilding of the county's interest and is a 
worthy representative of one of its pioneer fam- 
ilies. 

, OOP . 



47S 



coo 



'^'^ RIEL NEAL is numbered among the hon- 
lll || ored pioneers of \'an Kuren County, dating 
Xt^ liis residence from 1S3C, and for fifty-four 
years he has resided upon his present farm in Bon- 
aparte Township. He was born in Boone County, 
Ky.. October 11. 1810, and is a son of John and 
."^usan (Hickelts) Neal, who at a very early day set- 
tled in Kentucky, where was born unto tiiem a fam- 
ily of five children,only two of whom are now living 



tive county and when a young man accompanied 
his parents to Dearborn County. Ind., where in 
1832, he led to the marriage altar Miss Catherine 
Biokaw, a native of Pennsylvania. Their union 
was blessed by an only daughter — Rachel M. 

Fifty-four years have passed since Mr. Neal and 
his wife came to Van Bureii County and great have 
been the changes which time and tiie honored pio- 
neers have wrought. Tiiey saw on their arrival 
broad acres of uncultivated land which was then a 
l)art of the Territory of Wisconsin. Few inrleed 
were the seltlements which had previously been 
made, the cities of Fairfield and Keosauqua had nut 
tlien been founded and the work of civilization 
seemed scarcely begun. Tliey selllcd on what is 
now one of the best farms in the community and it 
w.as not then aii m.frefpicnt sight to see the red men 
pass and repass on their way to and from Keokuk, 
while their camp fires gleamed red along the river 
banks. Almost entirely cut off from the outside 
world the settlers were dependent upon one another 
for company and entertainment, and many a worthy 
pioneer now looks b.ack with a sigh of regret to 
think that those days when intercourse was free 
and hospitality unlimited, have passed aw.ay. But 
years rolled along and changes came. The log 
cabins were replaced by commodious residences, 
towns and villages sprang up, ciuirches and schools 
were built and transfonnation at length obliterated 
nearly all the l.andmarks of the pioneer days. Like 
many others. Mr. Neal was dependent upon the la- 
bors of his hands for support. When the expenses 
of his journey to this State were paid he had but 
fifty cents remaining, yet youthful hopes supple- 
mented his energy and industry- and encouraged 
him to renewed effort when the days looked dark- 
est. The furniture in the pioneer home was very 
crude, as for example, a dry-goods box was used 



— Abeli a resident of Ft. Madison. Iowa; and Trie 

of this sketch. The jiarents came to Iowa in 1S;JG as a table or perhaps the door was taken from its 

and spent the remainder of their lives in Van Buren hinges and served the same purpose. Their mill 



Count}', but many years have now passed since the}' 
were called to their final home. Mr. Neal was a 
fanner and from the wild land in this section de- 
veloped a fine farm which supjilied him with all 
the comforts of life. In politics, he gave his sup- 
port to the Democratic part}". 

Our subject was reared and educated in his iia 



ing was done in Missouri and their groceries were 
obtained in Lexington but the prosperity which at- 
tends untiring effort came to Mr. Neal, and he is 
now the owner of a fine farm of two hundred and 
two acres. 

In politics. Mr. Neal is a Democrat and has 
served as .luslice of the I'vace and other township 



470 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



offices. In his religious views lie is liberal and 
ntiliier is lie connected with civic societies. He 
iind his worliiy wife have travelled life's journey 
logetlior for (ifty-ciglil years, sharing with each 
other its joys and sorrows, adversity and prosper- 
ity. The end f>f the jouincy is probably near at 
hand, but in looking Ijackward they need feel no 
regret, for their lives have bi-i-n worthily spent. 



\|, S.VAC CASTILE, a well-known farmer and 
representative of one of llie i)ionuer families 
of Jefferson County, lives in the house whore 
he was born, on seclion 19, Loekridge Township. 
His birth occurred on April 13, 185o, and he was 
the fourth child of Andrew C'listile, whose sketch 
we ap|)end below. His entire life having been 
passed in this county he is familiar with the history 
of its ijrogress and transformation. His boyhood 
days were spent in the usual manner of farmer lads 
and during his youth he attended the district school 
during the winter season. The schoolhouse was 
primitive in eharacter, being built of logs and fur- 
nished with seats but no desks, while the school vvas 
conducted on the plan of "no lickin'. no larnin." 

Like a dutiful son, Mr. Castile assisted his fa- 
ther in the labors of the farm until he had attained 
his majority when he started out in life for himself, 
but slill remained under the paiental roof, con- 
tinuing to make his home with father and mother 
until his marriage, which was celebrated on the 
27th of February, 1884. The lady of his choice 
was Miss Sarah K. Peterson, a native of Webster 
County, Iowa, ilor parents are still living and 
are residents of Hamilton County, Io\va. Four in- 
teresting children have been born of their union, 
three sons and a (Laughter — Erick Luther, born 
February 21, 1885; Simon P., ,luly 14. 1886; An- 
drew R., January 12, 1888. and Faith A., January 
9, 1890. 

Mr. Castile has rented and now operates one hun- 
dred and sixty acres of the old homestead. He is 
a progressive young farmer whose correct ideas 



concerning the methods of agriculture and excellent 
business habits win him success and place him in 
the front rank among the citizens of his tov n.ship. 
He is also intelligent, keeping himself well informoil 
on the leading issues of the day. both State ;uiil 
National. In |)olitics, he is a stanch Republican 
and [jrohibitionist. He cast his first Presidential 
vole for K. li. Hayes and has never wavered in his 
allegiance to that part^-, but in the count}- conven- 
tions to which he has been sent as delegate some 
ten or twelve times, he is an influential memlier. 
laboring earnestly for the adoption of the parly 
principles which he believes to be for the best in- 
terests ot the people in general. For ten years he 
served as Constable and to those who know him it 
is needless to say proved an elficient and capalilc 
officer. He was the first member to sign the char- 
ter of the F.irniers' Alliance and was elected il.-; 
President. Both ^Mr. and Mrs. Castile are con- 
sistent members and active workers in the Metho- 
dist Episcopal Church, and for ten years he has 
•acted as Steward of that organization. In the 
social world the family rank high, their home is the 
abode of hospitality, and their circle of friends is 
indeed extensive. 



-i'^>»>*-^t»S^^-^*i£-'^i<S" 



C-^s^HOMAS T. BESWICK still lives at his 
f(ij^y\ boyhood home, a pleasant farm on section 
%^^y 23, Union Townshii), to the operation of 
which he devotes his time and energies. He vvas 
born in Washington County, Ohio, June 24, 1838, 
and when a lad of twelve summers came with his 
parents to Van Burcn County. His scholastic 
training was rather meagre, for the district schools 
of those days oflfered nosuperior advantages. Hav- 
ing remained at home until I860, he then spent 
about two and a half years in farming in Nevada 
and California, returning by way of the Nicaraugua 
route. 

The first wife of Thomas Beswick was in her 
maidenhood Jliss Eliza Fee, and their marriage was 
celebrated in February, 1866. She was a native 



•I 




J- S. SLOAN. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



479 



of Ireland, and lived only about two and a half 
years after lier marriage, dying in M.iy, 1868. On 
tlie 2(1 of May, 1873, Mr. Beswick was joined in 
wedlock with Miss Kate Goodall, one of Van Buren 
County's fjiir daughters. Unto them were horn 
three children — Charles L.; Anna, who died in in- 
fancy; and Aletliea. 

Since attaining his m.<ijoril3' Mr. Beswick has 
supported the Democratic party, and has felt a 
deep interest in its success, but has never for him- 
self desired public preferment. As before staled, 
his present home was also that of his childhood. 
He is now the owner of two hundred and fifty 
acres of highly improved land, furnished with good 
buildings and having one of the finest arrange- 
ments for supplying water by a wind pump, in the 
coiint3'. His farm is not known for its "broad 
acres," but has a reputation for the neatness with 
which it is kept. High grades of stock arc also 
raised tliereon, and the owner is accounted one of 
the most successful and energetic farmers of the 
county. He is a representative of one of the hon- 
ored families of the community, and like his father 
and brother is a worth}' and valued citizen. 






"if^UDGE JOSHUA S. SLOAN, one of the edi- 
tor* and proprietors of the Keosauqua Re- 
inthlicaii, was born in "Wayncsburg, Chester 
County, Pa., on the 29th of January-, 1822, 
and is a sun of Robert and Elizabeth (Steapleton) 
Sloan. When a l)abe of a year, in the sjiring of 
IS2,'5, lie was taken b}' his parents to Columbiana 
County, Ohio, the family settling on a farm in 
^Yayne Township. For several years the}' contin- 
ued to reside in that count}' but at length came to 
Iowa and took up their residence near the city of 
lowaville. Their son Joshua received a common- 
school education, but not content with such a lim- 
ited store of knowledge, by reading and study in 
leisure hours he acquired a fund of information 
wliieli far exceeded that of many whose advan- 
tages were greatly superior to his own. His first 



business venture was that of teaching. In the 
spring of 1841 he was employed as a teacher in the 
district schools of Columbiana County, where he 
continued for ten years. The two succeeding years 
of his life he spent in teaching in Carrollton, Carroll 
County. Ohio, after which he came to Iowa. Here 
he resumed his former profession, being employed 
as a teacher in lowavilleand vicinity for more than 
a year, when he engaged in mercantile pursuits 
until the fall of 1859, when he was elected to the 
office of County Judge, of Van Buren County, Iowa. 
He entered upon the duties of the position Janu- 
ary 2, 1860, and served for two years, when he was 
elected Treasurer of the county, which position he 
filled tor ten consecutive years, being four times 
re-elected to that office, the first three years of this 
time he also served as Recorder. The honor thus 
conferred upon him is one very unfrequently be- 
stowed and plainly testifies to his ability and faith- 
fulness with which he discharged his duties. Later 
he served as Clerk of the District Court for a year, 
filling the unexpired term of J. W. Latham, whose 
death occurred while he was holding the office. 

In the spring of 1873, Mr. Sloan once more em- 
barked in mercantile pursuits, continuing in that 
line of business until September, 1877, when he was 
elected a member of the Board of .Supervisors of 
the county. He held the office three years and 
during the entire time was President of the Board. 
In December, 1877, he purchased an interest in the 
Keosauqua RepvbUcan, a weekly journal published 
at Keosauqua, of which he has since been one of 
the editors and proprietors. This paper has been 
placed upon a sound, financial basis as the result of 
the excellent business management of the proprie- 
tors, and has a wide circulation, which is constantly 
increasing. 

On the 14th of April, 18.j3, just previous to his 
removal to Iowa, Mr. Sloan was united in marriage 
with Miss Sarah A. Sinclair, and then brought his 
young bride to Van Buren County. When he was 
elected County Judge, they removed to Keosauqua 
where they have since made their home. Tbey 
are the parents of five children yet living. The 
daughters are Frances, Maggie Ella, and Hatlie C. 
and the sotis are George and Rulledge. 

Mr. Sloan became a member of the Presbyterian 



480 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Church in June, 1850, and continued his connec- 
tion witli that organization until the spring of 1872. 
As there was no longer a iiouse of worship in the 
pl.ice of his resilience, he united with the Congre- 
gational Church in the spring of 1877. In his early 
life he was a supporter of the Democracy, but in 
1856, on the organization of tiie Republican party 
in Van Buren County, he joined its ranks and has 
since been one of its stalwart sup|)orlers. He was 
llie first candidate of his party for the olBce of 
State Representative but was defeated by ten voles, 
ihe county having a Democratic majority. 



**!>• ■j't^r^**^^?'^-*'^^ 



(OIIN W. ROWLEY, of the firm of Sloan & 
Rowley, editors and proprietors of the Keo- 
1 sauqua Rppuhlican, is a native of Ohio. He 
j was born in New Carden, Columbiana 
County, July 23, 1846. and is a son of Theodore 
r.. Rowley, who was born in Victor, X. Y., August 
G, 1817. Coming to Ohio during childhood, Theo- 
dore Rowley formed the acquaintance of Miss Em- 
eline AVatson. who was born in New Lisbon, Ohio, 
August 5, 1820, and on the 18th of May, 1842, 
Ihey were united in marriage. Unto them were 
born three children: Anna, who died in childhood; 
John AV.. of this sketch, and Lavina. 

When a lad of eight years, with his parents, John 
W. Rowley removed from New Lisbon, Ohio, to 
Van Buren County, Iowa. They reached their 
destination in December, 1854, and the following 
spring located near Ttica. Our subject received a 
common-school education and for eight years, from 
1867 to 1875, engaged in farming during the sum- 
mer months, while the winter season was spent in 
teaching. He continued his residence in the vicin- 
ity of Utica until 1879. He was married to Miss 
Amanda JI Tiiompson, daughter of Elder David 
Tiiompson,near Bonaparte, Iowa, October 27, 1808. 
She T-as born in Highland County, Ohio, October 
27, 1849. Three children, sons, grace their union 

Roland B., Frank W. and Clinton C. They also 

lost one child, Lena A., their only daughter, who 



was the second in order of birth. She died on the 
17th of March, 1873. 

Mr. Rowley has been a member of the Christian 
Church since 1867, and in politics he is a stalwart 
supporter of Republican principles. In 1875, he 
was elected on that ticket to the position of Su- 
perintendent of Schools, of Van Buren County, in 
vfhich he served until January 1, 1880. On the 
15th of November of the previous year he pur- 
chased an interest in the Keosauqua lieimblican, 
and in the latter part of the month removed with 
his family to Keosauqua, from his farm in Cedar 
Township. He is still one of the proprietors of the 
paper, which is devoted to the interests of the 
county and the Republican party. Its owners are 
business men of merit and progressive citizens of 
the community in which the}' make their home. In 
1880 Jlr. Rowley was appointed by President 
Hayes to the position of United States Supervisor 
of Census, having under his jurisdiction twenty 
counties. Soon afterward he was appointed a mem- 
ber of the State Educational Board and served four 
3'ears, most of the time acting as its Secretar}-. In 
1800 he received an appointment from President 
H.arrison to the position of Supervisor of Census, 
his territory including twenty-one counties, and in 
that work he is engaged at the writing of this sketch. 



,/i^^ALVIN HAYDEN DOUGHTY, 



a repre- 



sentative farmer of Buchanan Township, 
<^J Jefferson County, residing on section 34, 
springs from one of the early families of South- 
eastern Iowa. Hi.s father, John W. Doughty, was 
born in East Tennessee on the 15th of April, 1818, 
and with his widowed mother removed to Sanga- 
mon County, III., where he grew to manhood. 
After reaching year.s of maturity he determined to 
try his fortune beyond the Mississippi, and about 
1835 made his way on foot to Heniy County, Iowa, 
where his mother later joined him. There, on the 
1st of Dccombcr, 1836, he married Gracie A. Hut- 
ton, a native of Middle Tennessee. Her birth 



PORTRALT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



181 



occurred on the l*5tli of February, 1822, and when 
two years of age was taken liy lier parents to San- 
gamon County, 111. Ilcr f;itlipr was a soldier of the 
Wav of 1812, and in recognition of liis services re- 
ceived a land warrant, and after his death his wife 
was awai'ded a pension. He was a regularly ordained 
minister of the Baptist Church, but his labors in 
that line were performed through love of the work 
and not witli anj- desire for (jccuniary aid. He 
died at the age of seventy-two ^ears, but his wife 
reached the very advanced age of ninety years. 

In llS4t .John W. Doughty came with his fam- 
ily to .lefiferson County, where he lived and la- 
bored until his life on earth was brought to a close. 
Politically, he was a Whig, and botii he ami his 
wife were zealous members of the Methodist 
Church, in which they did not a little for the ad- 
vancement of the cause and the promotion of its 
interests. He was not a man that sought public 
recognition, but in a quiet waj' discharged the du- 
ties devolving upon him, and at the end those who 
knew him said that a worthy and useful citizen had 
passed away. He died on the ijth of June, 1850, 
respected by all with whom he luad come in con- 
tact. Of his nine children, eight sons and one 
daughter, only four are now living — Benjamin F., 
an insurance agent of .Sioux City. Iowa; Mar}- E.. 
wife of Philip Polston, of Fairfield; Alvin S., u. 
minister of the Free Methodist Church; and Cal- 
vin H. In 1851 the mother of this familj- became' 
the wife of John Howard, who die<l August 12, 
1870. By her second marriage were born five chil- 
dren, three sons and two daughters. 31rs. Howard 
is still living, surrounded b}' dutiful children and 
many warm friends. 

Qalvin Haydcn Doughty, the youngest of the 
first family and the one in whom the citizens of 
Jefi'erson County are especially interested, is now 
the owner of the old homestead in Buchanan Town- 
ship. He was born in Cedar Township, on the 5th 
of Januar}', 1849, and here has spent his entire 
life. At that early day schools were of a poor 
grade, and even then he was permitted to attend 
but little. From the time he was twelve years of 
age he made his own way in the world, and on the 
5th of October, 1864, although but a lad of six- 
teen years, he enlisted in his country's service in 



Springfield, III., whither he had gone witli Com- 
pany C, of the .Secon<l Illinois Light Artillery. 
His command did duty at Ft. Donclson until the 
3d of August, 1805, when he received his discharge 
in Springfield. 

Shortly afterward Mr. Doughty returned to Jef- 
ferson Count}-, and on the 13th of December, 1800, 
he was joined in marriage with Mary O., daughter 
of Abraham and Catherine (Hratlshaw) Standford. 
She was born in Batavia, this county, November 3, 
1848, and is an estimable lady w-hose circle of 
frienils is indeed large. The j'oung couple began 
their domestic life where they still make their 
home, and their family consists of an adopted son, 
.Mark Dt)uglity, who married Emma Haifley, by 
whom he has one child, Calvin II. 

Both Mr. and Mrs. Doughty are members of the 
Free Methodist Church, and he also belongs to the 
Old Settlers Society. In politics he is a Repub- 
lican, having supported that party since casting his 
first vote for Gen. Grant. He is now the owner 
and operator of a fine tract of land of one hundred 
and eighty acres, and since attaining to mature 
years he has pursued farming and stock-raising ex- 
clusively and succcssfuU}'. never turning aside to 
mingle in trade or politics. The years which have 
passed over his head since his return from the war 
have been years of fair prosperity, and he is now 
numbered among the substantial citizens of Jeffer- 
son Couniy, a place which he has gained through 
his own effort. 



-^-fr-^- 



ANIEL C. PETTITT, dealer in farming 
jfl implements at Birmingham, is another of the 
prominent business men of A'an Burcn 
County who deserves mention in this volume. As 
he is widely and favorably known the record of 
his life, which is as follows, will be received with 
interest bj our readers. Clark County, Ind.. was 
his birthplace and on the 17th of August, I84."t, he 
first opened his eyes to the light of day. His 
father, George R. Pettitt, was born in Indiana, 



482 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAI'HICAL ALBUM. 



November 11.1815, and his wife, whose maiden 
name was Martha J. Davis, and who was ,i native 
of Kentucky, was about two j-ears liis junior. 
Havinp: married, they began their domestic life in 
Indiana, nhiih continued to be their home until 
1844, at which time they crossed the Mississippi 
into tiie Territory of Iowa. They located in Van 
Bnren County and Mr. Pettill is still a resident of 
Birmingham, but in 1883 be was called upon to 
mourn the deatliof his wife. 

Our subject is one of a family of three children. , 
His early life was unmarked by any event of special 
iiii|iortance. for midst play and work and in attend- 
ing the district seliools his boyhood days were 
spent. However, at the age of eighteen years he 
entered the service of his country. He had w.itehed 
witli interest the progress of events in the South 
but at the beginning of the war was too young to 
respond to the country's call for aid, but on the 
9th of March, 18C2, he enrolled his name among 
the boys in blue of Companj H., Third Iowa 
Cavalry. The two following years were spent 
mostly in skirmishing in Missouri and Arkansas. 
While stationed at ^lexico, Mo., Daniel and an- 
other boy went to get the former's horse which had 
run away, as they supposed, to a farm about two 
miles distant, but on reaching that place they 
learned that he Iiad gone on some thirteen miles. 
Starting forward again, tliey met the rebel com- 
mander, Purcell, whom tliej' did not know, and 
who told them where to find the horse. His 
directions proved correct, but while returning the 
lads found a squad of rebels in ambush. Without 
a word the enemy arose and fired. Both horses 
dropped dead and the boys started to run but 
almost in another moment Mr. Peltitt's comrade 
fell pierced by twelve bullets. Seeing that it was 
impossible to escape, he then surrendered without 
receiving a scratch. Afterwards he was pai-oled 
and started to join his command. AVhile return- 
ing he met an ambulance containing two coffins 
which were for himself and friend, as his comrades 
had heard that both were dead and glad they were 
to find that one was not needed. On the 1st of 
January. 1864, Mr. I'etlitt veteranized and was 
therefore granted a furlough. When the time had 
expired he went to Memphis, Tcnn., where he was 



att.iciied to A. J. Smith's corps and participated 
in the battles of Guntown, Tupelo and Oxford. 
He spent part of the winter in Louisville, Ky., and 
then, newly equipped, started on the Wilson raid, 
in which he took part in the engagements of Monte 
Valley, Plantersville, Selna and Columbus, Ga. 
He was mustered out at Atlanta and discharged 
August 20, 1865, at Davenport, after serving three 
years and eight months. 

AVhen his country no longer needed his services 
Mr. Pettitt returned to Birmingham and for a short 
time engaged in the butchering and grocery busi- 
ness, after which, for some fourteen years, he de- 
voted himself to freighting, his efforts in that line 
being attended with considerable success. He also 
dealt in walnut timber until 1886, when he eng.-tged 
in his present business as a dealer in agricultural 
implements. Four years in that line have served 
to bring him a good trade, and his fair dealing and 
good business management have won him the con- 
fidence and respect of the community. 

On the 3l3tof October, 1867, Mr. Pettitt was 
joined in wedlock with Miss Sarah J. Deal, a native 
of Pennsylvania. One child was born unto them 
but died in infancy, but they have an adopted 
child, Iva M. Mrs. Pettitt is a member of the 
Methodist Church. He is a Republican in politics 
and has served as Marshal, Constable and City 
Recorder. He is a member of the Old Settlers 
Society and an honored member of Perry A. Newell 
Post, No. 232, G. A. R. His social standing and 
business record make him one of the prominent 
and influential citizens of Birmingham. 




;ILEY A. JONES, M. D.. Justice of the 
Peace and medical practitioner, of Cantril, 
^■^ has for some fourteen years been engaged 
in the practice of his profession at this place. His 
residence in Iowa, however, covers a period of 
forty-five years and he is numbered among the 
pioneer settlers of Jefferson County. 

The Jones family of which our subject is a de- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



483 



scendant is of Welsh origin and was founded by his 
great-grandfiillier, wlio, in 1750, left Wales, his 
native land, and crossed the Atlantic to lliis coun- 
try. Horatio .lones, the grandfalber of the Doctor, 
served as n drummer in the War of 1812. He set- 
tled in Nortli Carolina, wlieie he niarric<l, Imt in 
1813 he left that State, loiuoving to Virginia 
wliere he made his lionic until 1830. Accompanied 
by his family lie then look up his residence in In- 
diana, where he died in 1860, at the age of sev- 
enty-six years. He followed farming throughout 
his entire life, meeting with good success in his 
undertaking. His son, William C, father of our 
subject, was born in Surrey County, N. C, July 
9, 1809, but was reared to maniiood in A'irginia, 
and at the age of twenty-one 3ears accompanied 
the family to Indiana. In 1830 he was united in 
marri.'ige with Miss Permclia A. ^'auglln. wiio was 
born in Prince Edwards County, Va., October .'i, 
1811, and was a daughter of William Vaughn. She 
was also descended from good old Revolutionar}' 
Stock. Six children were born of their union — 
Isaac D., William H., Cornelius A., Martin V. B., 
Wiley A. and Elizabetii. After locating in Indiana, 
Mr. Jones followed farming for a livelihood and 
gave considerable attention to political affairs. He 
served as Sheriff and Treasurer of Johnson County 
for six years, from 1838 until 1844; was census- 
taker in 1 840,and after removal to JeflPerson County, 
served in 1849 as School Fund Commissioner 
and in I860 was census-taker for the eastern half 
of the count}-. He is still living in Fairfield, where 
he is numbered among the leading and valued citi- 
zens. He still takes an active interest in anything 
pertaining to the county's welfare and Is a con- 
tributor to the county papers. In 1889 he was 
called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, a most 
esimable lady who died on tlie 18th of October. 

Wiley A. Jones was born in Franklin, Johnson 
County, Ind., March 10, 1840, and was the fifth in 
order of birth in the family, but only five years of 
his life were spent in his native county. In 184.5 
the family came to Iowa, and upon a farm south- 
east of Fairfield lie was reared to manhood. In his 
youth he received such educatioiud advantages as 
the common schools afforded, but not content with 
such privileges he determined to pursue a more 



extended course of study, and to this end. when 
seventeen years of age he began teaching in the 
district schools. By this method he was enabled 
to attend the Fairfield University, where he con- 
tinued ills studies for a year. He then again taiigiit 
school until 18Ci(,when he began fitting iiimself for 
the medical profession under the direction of Dr. 
N. Steele, with whom he pursued his studies until 
1864. He then began practicing in Primrose, Iowa. 
where he remained until the fall of 1865, when, in 
order to further fit himself for his chosen work, he 
attended the Medical University, of Ann Arbor, 
Mich. He pursued a full course of study in that 
institution and was graduated in 1867, after which 
he located in Glasgow, Jefferson County. In a few 
months, however, he removed to Winchester, Van 
Buren County, where he continued practice for four 
years with fair success. His ne.xt i)lace of residence 
was Fairfield, wliere for six years he carried on the 
drug business. Selling out in 1876, he came to 
Cantril and with the interests of this city has since 
been identified. 

The Doctor was married, on the 9th of April, 
1867, to Miss Altlia Miller, daughter of Thomas 
and Eliza (Moore) Miller and a native of Jefferson 
County, born May 3, 1847. Unto them were born 
eight eliildren, but only four are now living: Myrta, 
wife of W. W. Blanchard, of Milton; Isaac T., Car- 
rie and Neal P. The Doctor, Mrs. Jones and the 
two eldest children are members of the Christian 
Church, and he is a charter member of Apollo 
Lodge, No. 461, A. F. & A. M., and Charter Mas- 
ter. In political sentiment he is a Democrat and 
has held several local otlices, including that of 
.lustice of the Peace and Notary Public, of both of 
which he is the present incumbent. The cause of 
education has ever found in Dr. Jones a warm friend 
and during the twelve years in which he served as 
School Director he did effective service for that 
cause. The elBciency of the Cantril schools is due 
in no little measure to his untiring efforts in their 
Ijehalf, and other worthy |)ublic interests have re- 
ceived from him a like hearty support and co-op- 
eration. Among his other official duties he held 
the oflBcc of Postmaster under President Cleve- 
land's administration and administered the affairs 
of the office to the satisfaction of all concerned. 



484 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Until within a few years past tbe Doctor had one 
of the largest practices of any man in tiie profes- 
sion in tbe count}-, but physical disabililies have 
caused him to lay aside the more arduous duties 
connected with tiie wori<. In August, 1885, he was 
slriekon with rhcuinalism and for six months was 
utterly lielpless. In I'Y'bruary, 1888, he slipped on 
the sidewalk and fractured his left arm, and on 
tiie I'Jlh of May of the same year he was tlirown 
from his buggy, liis iiorse running away, and tlie 
arm was rcljroken, togetiier witli both collar bones. 
The Doctor lias the respect of the entire community 
and the esteem and good will of man}' friends. 



••^^•y-^;;^ 



^ETEU COrXTRYMAN, deceased, was born 
in Somerset County, Pa., on the 28th of No- 
venaber, 1808, where lie grew to manhood. 
Having attained to mature years, he there 
married Alary Bcrlvley,a native of the san»e county, 
horn in ISO'J. About 18:32, they removed to Tus- 
carawas County, Ohio, where they continued to re- 
side some twelve years, arriving in Iowa in 1844. 
Their destination was Van Buren County, and they 
made a location in Lick Creek Township, where 
Mr. Countryman engaged in farming, although by 
trade he was a cabinet-raaker. Throughout his en- 
tire life he supported the Democratic principles, 
and served acceptably as Township Trustee. As 
consistent members of the Lutheran Church, both 
he and his wife lived upriglit Christian lives, and 
died in the faith which lind been their guide for 
many years. Mr. Countryman was called to his 
final rest in 1HG7, and in 1873 his wife also passed 
away. Unto them was born a family of eleven chil 
dren, nine of whom grew to mature years, while 
eight of the number yet abide, namely: Ilosiah, a 
cabinet-maker of Birmingham ; Sarah, wife of James 
Ferrel, a resi<lent of Lick Creek Township; Lucy is 
the widow of .lohn Boyd; William and .Mielmel, 
twins, are farmers of Jefferson and Van Buren 
Counties, respectively; George W. is the next 



younger; Frank is u farmer of Jefferson County; 
and Noah devotes his time to the same pursuit in 
^'an Buren County. 

George W. Countryman is the only member of 
the family who has devoted himself to mercantile 
life. He was born in Li<.>k Creek Township, on the 
(ith of January, 1849, and his early life was passed 
in the usual manner of farmer lads, aiding in the 
work of the home farm during the summer season, 
and attending the common schools of the neighbor- 
hood during the winter months. He remained at 
home until twenty years of age, after which he 
worked at carpentering for two jears with his 
brother, and for a year was in the employ of W. B. 
Tatman. He embarked in business for himself in 
1873, when he opened a furniture store at Douds 
Station, but in the fall of the following j'ear he 
disposed of his interest, and going to Ottiimwa, 
entered the emplo3-of a man engaged in the manu- 
facture of show cases. In 1875, he came to Bir- 
mingham and purchased a small stock of furniture, 
beginning operations in a one-story frame Imild- 
iug 16x60 feet, but increased patronage uiid in- 
creased facilities forced him to make an addition to 
the establishment, which he extended until it cov- 
ered all of his ground. In 1887 he built his pres- 
ent store where he now does business, the dimen- 
sions of which are 22x82 feet, and two stories in 
height, in addition to which he also has a coffin 
room 20x20 feet. In November, 1889, Mr. Coun- 
tiyman admitted to partnership in the business, C. 
G. Miller. The firm has now one of the best stocks 
of furniture in this part of the State, and constantly 
increasing patronage rewards their business enter- 
prise. 

On tlie 13tli of April, 1873, Mr. Countryman was 
united in marriage with Miss Lee A. Chalfant, who 
was born in Ohio, and with her parents came to 
this county when three years old. They have an 
interesting family of four children, two sons and 
two daughters — Charlie C, George C, Nellie A., 
and Jessie L. The mother is an Adventist in re- 
ligious belief. In political sentiment Mr. Country- 
man is a Republican, and has served as a meml)er 
of the City Council of Birmingham. He deserves 
not a little credit, for his success in life is due to 
his industrious efforts and good management. AVhen 



PORTRAIT AND BIOrxRAPIIICAL ALBUM. 



485 



he began luisiness for liimself at Douds Station, he 
imrcliased only ¥300 worth of stock, and for that 
had to give his note, but now he not only owns the 
excellcol store before mentioned, but in addition 
eighty acres of land pny tribute to him, besides 
some town property, and he is also engaged in ship- 
ping walnut lumber. Mr. Countryman has lived in 
Van Bnren County for some forty-one years, and 
is accounted one of the leading l)usiness men of 
Birmingham. 



♦5^^- 



^^EORGE B. WALTZ, one of Fairfield's es- 
l| I i- — , teemed citizens, was born in Memphis, 
%j(i Tenn., December 5, 1844. His father, .Job 
Waltz, was a native of Pennsylvania, and after 
his marriage to Mar)' Palmer, located in Memphis, 
where he was engaged in hotel keeping until 
his death, in 1848. He was taken away in the 
prime of life, being oul)' about thirty-nine years 
of age. Afterward his widow niarrie<l Charles 
Fowler, with whom she emigrated to Muscatine, 
Iowa, in 1850. She died in Columbus C'it)', at the 
age of thirty-nine. By her first marriage she had 
two sons — George B. of this sketch; and Henry C. 
who served nearly three years in Conipanj' A, of 
the Eighteenth Iowa Infantry, and since the war 
has been steamboat engineer on the Mississippi 
River. By her second husband there is one living 
child. 

George B. Waltz, being the eldest of the family, 
early had to begin making his way in the world 
and with no capital save a determination to suc- 
ceed and a young man's bright hope of the future, 
he started out in life for himself. I'ntil the break- 
ing out of the war he worked among the farmers 
in the vicinity of his home, but when the first com- 
pany was raised in Muscatine County, filled with 
patriotic impulses and a fervent desire to aid in 
the suppression of the Rebellion, he volunteered 
his services, but as he was not quite up to the stand- 
ard height, being then but a boy, he was rejected. 
As each successive company was raised he tried 
to enter its ranks but every attempt was unsucess- 



ful until August 26, 1862, when he donned the 
l)lue as a member of Company C, Eleventh Iowa 
Infantry. Ho served as snare drummer until re- 
ceiving his discharge and his entire service was 
under lift master generals, Grant and Sherman. 
After the capture of Vicksburg, his command was 
stationed at that place to do post duty. A' vet- 
eran furlough w.as given and they were then 
transferred to the army of the Cumberland, assist- 
ing in the capture of Atlanta and then participa- 
ting in the famous march to the sea. When Fort 
McAllister w.as being beseiged by Sherman, a part 
of his forces was cut off by a large swamp and to 
go around this required a march of some twenty 
miles. Across it, a dam was thrown up but the 
rebel guns were planted so as to sweep it. How. 
ever, some fifteen miles would be saved and speedy 
assistance given to the besiegers if they could but 
bear up under the iron hail of the rebel guns. It 
was determined to make the test and Mr. Waltz's 
company was the first to run that terrible gauntlet. 
Going on to W.ashington, the notes of his drum were 
there lienrd in the (Jrand Review, after which he re- 
ceived his discharge, after having faithfully served 
his country for three years. 

Returnin.g to Muscatine. Mr. Waltz leamed the 
pl.isterer's trade which he has since made his bus- 
iness. In that city, on the 28th of May, 1867, he 
married Charlotte I. George, who was born in Ohio, 
December 15, 1848, and when two years old was 
brought by her parents, Wesley' and Sarah (lloutz) 
George, to Muscatine. Iowa. Her father died in 
Louisa County, Iowa, in June 1890, at the age of 
seventy-five years, his wife who is still living in 
th.at county, has reached the age of sixty-nine 
years. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Waltz were born two 
children — Harry W. who died at the age of two 
years; and S. Minnie. 

The year 1868 witnessed the arrival of Mr. 
Waltz in Fairfield, where be has since made his 
home. He has always taken an active part in 
political affairs and is a stalwart supporter of Re- 
publican principles. In the county convention of 
1888, his name was considered in connection with 
the office of Recorder of Deeds; he failed of nom- 
ination but defeat did not sour liim or cause him 
tu ui<) the opposition. Again in 1890, he was 



•iMt; 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



brought forward for the same position and came 
out triumphant. As he has always hoen a i)rompt, 
lionoru'ile and conscientious man in his own hus- 
iness affairs, it need not be feared that he will ne- 
fjlcct those of the people. 



-m^ 






i? F. SIMMERS, M. D., pliysician and sur- 
I (^ geon of Milton and the senior partner of 
i V the firm of Summers <i; Rice, drujjrgists, is 
also a member of the Milton Hardware Company. 
Jt will readily be seen that he is one of the leading 
and representative Ijusiiiess men of Milton and as 
such we are pleased to record his sketch in this vol- 
ume. He was born in Scotland Couiitj', Mo., Aug- 
ust 17, 1849, and is a son of D'lvid and Alice 
(Stevens) Summers. His father was a native of 
Greenbrier County, Va., born about the year 1812, 
and in early life went to Missouri. He was a mill- 
wright by trade and erected one of the first grist 
mills ill Scotland County, and for many years also 
eng.iged in farming. Mrs. Suinmers, the mother of 
our subject, was born in Decatur, III., in 1825, and 
removed with her parents to Missouri in girlhood, 
becoming ac(iu:unte<l with Mr. Summers in Scot- 
land County, where llieir marriage was celebrated 
and where she still resides. They were parents of 
fiiurchildren, twosons and two daughters, of whom 
the eldest is the Doctor; Lois E., is the wife of J. C. 
Venter, of Washington; Amanda L., is the wife of 
.lames Douglas, of Scotland County, Mo.; David, 
married Laura Hammond and is a farmer of Scot- 
land County. 

Mr. Summers continued to reside in that county 
until his death which occurred in 1852. His wife 
survives her husband and is still a resident of that 
county. She was married again in 1858, to John 
Rice, a farmer by occupation, and of the second 
marriage six children were born, five sons and a 
daughter. Clora A., the eldest, is the wife of Chip- 
man A. Van Dyke, of Oregon; Charles II., married 
Ellen Beswick, and resides near Memphis, JIo. ; 
AVilliani II. is single and makes his home in the 



same jjlace; .John A., wedded Miss Mary Graves 
and is a member of the drug firm of Summers & 
Rice, of Milton; Albert A., married Miss Arwilda 
Ruse, and resides near Memphis, Mo.; Grant, wliu 
completes the f.amily, is a member of the Milton 
Hardware Company. Mr. Rice Sr., father of the 
above named children, was a soldier in the Union 
Army during the late war, serving in Company M, 
Twelfth Missouri Cavalry, and died in the hospital 
in Indianapolis, Ind., in 18Gt. 

Dr. Summers received his primary education in 
the public schools, after which he pursued a par- 
tial course in the Memphis College, of Memphis, 
Mo. Having determined to make the practice of 
medicine his life work, in 1872 he became a stu- 
dent in the Keokuk Medical College, but did not 
complete the course. The same j'ear he spent six 
months in practice in the Marine Hospital, at St. 
Louis. The following year he came to Milton and 
opened an office but subsequently returned to tiie 
Keokuk Medical C'ollege,and after a course of study- 
was graduated in the class of 1876. He continued 
practice in Milton and in 1878 opened a drug store 
in that place which he carried on alone until 18MI, 
when J. A. Rice was admitted to partnership, a con- 
nection which continues until the present writing 
iu the fall of 1890. In 1888, the Doctor became 
associated with others in the organization of the 
Milton Hardware Compan}', which is now one of 
the important mercantile houses in the county. 
In addition to his other business interests he is pro- 
prietor of a line stock farm of two hundred and 
forty acres lying two miles southwest of Milton. He 
breeds sheep and horses extensively, making a 
specialty of road horses. 

On the 7th of March, 1876, in Milton. Dr. Sum- 
mers, was united in marri.age with Miss Nettie Bell, 
who was born near Delphos, Ohio, and is a daugh- 
ter of Freeman Bell. Four children were born of 
their union, three daughters and a son — Mabel Al- 
ice, Jessie Bell, Etta Catherine and Loyd Freeman. 
Mrs. Summers, is a member of the Methodist Church 
and a lady of culture, having many friends in the 
community. The Doctor is a Republican iu poli- 
tics. He is an enterprising and successful busiiu^ss 
man, who by his own efforts has accumulated a val- 
uable property, and in his piofcssiuii he has won a 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



487 



pioniiiioiil place as pliysician and siirjjcon and has 
Imilt up ail extensive praetico. For seventeen 
voais Dr. Snnimers lias been known to the people 
of \n.n Buren and adjacent counties, and during 
that time his course has been such as to win the re- 
spect and esteem of all with whom he has had Ijus- 
iness or social relations. 



E^^- 



\I(:_ lATT HUFFMAN, a lumber dealer of Bir- 
\\ miiighani, is one of the few pioneers left to 
.sVj^ tell the story of N'an Buren County as it 

1^) was fifty-three years ago. He is also num- 
bered among the early settlers of tlie State, for 
Iowa's citizens were Ihen numbered among the 
population of the Territory of Wisconsin, and in 
numbers they were few. living mostly along the 
Mississipiii river, or where a waterway would serve 
to connect them in some degree with the outside 
world. The greatest gratitude from the peojile of 
tL)-day. and from coming generations is due those 
honored pioneers who laid the foundation upon 
which was reared the v.ast structure now known .as 
Iowa, a State which is on a par in many respects 
Willi the oldest States of the East, and of which its 
citizens are justly proud. 

Mr. Huffman is a native of New Albany. Ind., 
and a son of Burke and Mary (Miller) Ilutfman. 
His paternal grandfather emigrated from (ier- 
mauj', and settled at an early day in North Caro- 
lina, where his father was born in 1791. When a 
young man the latter emigrated westward, locating 
in New Albany, Ind. He wedded Mary Miller, a 
native of Kentucky, who was about ten years his 
junior. Her parents were of Scotch-Irish extrac- 
tion. Having married, Mr. Huffman devoted him- 
self to farming in Indiana, which he followed until 

18.36, when, accompanied by his family he started 
for Iowa, proceeding down the Ohio and up the 
Mississippi River to Ft. Madison. The following 
March he made a location in what is now Lick 
Creek Township. Van Buren County, where he 
took a claim of two hundred and eighty acres. 



which he entered as soon as it came into market. 
Tlie Indians were far more luinicrons than the 
white settlers, and the noted chief, lilack Hawk, was 
often a visitor at his home. He had to go to Rock 
River to mill, the nearest market w.as on the Mis 
sissippi, and other disadvantages of a similar na- 
ture formed a part of his pioneer experience. Un- 
til 1855 Mr. Iluffinan was a Democrat, but among 
the first that espoused the Kepublican principles he 
identified himself with the party and continued to 
support it with his ballot until his death, which 
occurred in 1859. The following year his wife, 
who was a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, was called to her final rest. They led 
quiet yet useful lives, and reared a family of eleven 
children who became respected and valued mem- 
bers of the community in which they made their 
homes. Barbara A., the eldest of the nine who 
grew to mature years, married Moses .Stanley, now 
deceased, and resides at Union ville. Iowa; .lames 
M., is a hotel-keeper in Montana; Samuel served 
in the Second Iowa Infantry', was wounded at Ft. 
Donelson, and after his return died from a cold; 
tSeorge W. is a fruit-grower of California; Hiatt 
ia the next younger; Mrs. Mar3' E. Bishop is said 
to have been the first white girl born in Van Buren 
Conntj'; Capt. .lohii \V.. who is now engagetl in 
mining in Custer City. Idaho, served in the late 
war. was taken jirisoner at .Missionary Ridge and 
incarcerated in the Libby prison; Fred B., is fol- 
lowed by Robert, the youngest, who served in the 
Fifth Iowa Infantry, was also captured at Mii^sion- 
ary Ridge, and. died in Andersonville prison. 

We now come to the personal history of our , 
subject who was reared as a farmer lad. acquiring 
his education in the pioneer schools of that d.ay. 
and at the age of eighteen j-ears began life for him- 
self. Those who sought homes on a frontier were 
usually not in very prosperous circumstances, and 
could give their children little .assistance. So it 
was with Mr. Huffman, who from the lime 
he left the parental roof was dependent upon 
his own exertions. On the lOtli of February, 
1877, having chosen Miss \'itula R. (Joodall as a 
helpmate on life's jnurney. he led her to the mar- 
riage altar. .She w.is born in Van Buren County. 
August 11, l.s;lH. her father being Williaiii Good- 



488 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



all, one of the early liolel-keepers of Fairfleld. England family. His grand fiUlier Tliilip Slong, 
They began their domestic life in this county, hot ^ was born in Germany where ho ieained the trade of a 
in 18G2. with their children, they started to Ore- millwright, and with his parents came to this coun- 
gon, making the journey in a wagon drawn liy an try locating in Pennsylvania. The father of our 
ox-team. For some five years they carried on a subject was born in 1790, in Chester County, Pa. 
hotel in Auburn, after which they returned lo Iowa In 182;'), at the age of thirty-five years, he was mar- 
by way of the Nicaurauga route. In 1867, Mr. ! ried in Lancaster County, Pa., to Miss Mary 
Huffman began merchandising in Birmingham as a .Slageis who was born in that county in 1806. 
l)artner of K. Pitkin, which connection continued j Twelve years later in 1837 he came to Iowa and 



eiglit years, when Mr. Pitkin withdrew. In 18vv 
the store with all its contents was burned, causing 
considerable loss. Mr. Huffman then devoted him- 
self to the management of his farm until 1881, 
since which time he h.as been engaged in the lumber 
hu.siness in Birmingham. He yet owns some one 
hundred acres of lami adjoining the corporation 
limits of this place. 

Mr. Huffman is a Republican in politics, and a 
stalwart supporter of the party principles. He 
cast Ills first vote for John C. Fremont, in 1856, 
and each election day finds him ready to deposit a 
ballot in support of the Republican candidate. 
While in Oregon he held the office of Sheriff of 
Baker County for one term, and has been Miiyor 
and Councilman uf Birmingham. Both he and 
his wife are zealous workers and faithful members 
of the Methodist Church. 

Their family numbers three children — Mortimer, 
residing near Wymore, Neb., has charge of the 
bridges for the Burlington it Missouri Railroad ; 
Mary L. is at home; and Ira B. is station agent at 
Stoddard, Neb. 



* 



-H — ■ 



J'ACOB STOXG, a pioneer settler of Van 
Buren County, is engaged in general mer- 
chandising in Kilbourn, where he is doing a 
good business, his sales amounting to 17,000 
a year. His enterprise and thrift have won him a 
place among the leading merchants of the commun- 
ity and his business is an important addition to its 
mercantile interests. 

Mr. Stong is descended from an early New 



entered three hundred and sixty acres of land in 
Lick Creek Township, which tract now comprises 
what is known as the Anson place. After making 
a contract for the erection of a house, he returned 
to Penns3lvania in order to dispose of his business 
interests in that State. He sold his farm for ■?20,- 
000 and received an additional ^5,000 for personal 
property. In 1838, accompanied by his wife and 
four children, he again made the journey to the 
Territory of Iowa and seltleil upon the land which 
he had previously located. For two years thej' re- 
sided in a log cabin, surrounded by many Indians 
while the wild game which was quite plentiful fur- 
nished them many a meal. It is no easy task to 
transform the raw prairie into a highly cultivated 
farm, but Mr. Stong and his sons performed that 
labor and at the lime of his death he was the owner 
of two hundred acres of fertile land which yielded 
him a good income. He possessed business abilit.y 
of a high order, was sagacious and far-sighted and 
as the result became a wealth}- man. Jlany hard- 
ships and difficulties were endured by the family 
during the early history of the county, for even 
wealth could not always procure the necessaries of 
life for the markets and mills were so far distant 
that it was often almost impossible to reach them. 
On one occasion the family lived on boiled corn 
for a week and for a whole year their broad was 
made of rye flour. Mr. Stong was a Democrat in 
politics and filled a number of minor official posi- 
tions. He was a faithful and valued citizen and in 
the War of 1812 defended the stars and stripes. 
His death occurred August 12, 1859, and his wife 
died in 18G1. Six children, five growing lo mature 
years, were born unto them — John who was born 
in Pennsylvania, was killed at the coal bank of 
Centerville. in 1880; Joseph is now engaged in 
farming in Kansas; Jacob is the next 3'ounger; Mrs. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALRUM. 



489 



Sarah Maxwell ami Mrs. Susanna Siiaffer are also 
resiilini; in Kansas, and Sylvania tiled in infancy. 

Our suhjec't was but two years of age at the time 
of the emiijration of the family' to Iowa, where he 
has since made his home. While en route for the 
West the boat on which they had taken passage ex- 
ploded and ills faliier was knocked down although 
not seriouslj' injured, but lliirleen men on board 
were killed. Jacob helped to clear and develop the 
homestead farm and shared with the family the 
privations of pioneer life. He remembers many 
incidents of interest concerning those early days, 
which if thej- could be given in detail would make 
an instructive and exciting stor}'. On one occasion 
twelve chiefs in full Indian dress came to their 
house and demanded entertainment for the night. 
They were accommod.-ited on the floor, for the 
homes of that day usually' had no spare beds. Dur- 
ing the night one of the children called for water 
several times, but the hired girl with whom the little 
one was sleeping was afraid to get upon account of 
the Indians. The mother heard the call and arose 
to get the water and in order to hand it to her child 
she had to reach over the girl, who seeing llie arm 
stretched across her, thought it was an Indian 
about to cut her throat and screamed at the top of 
her voice; in fact, could hardly be pacified. The 
Indians however gave no heed to the occurrence 
and in the morning left for other scenes, having 
molested nothing. 

The primary education of our subject w.as ac- 
quired in the subscription schools, which he at- 
tended only in the winter season as his services 
were needed upon the farm in summer. This did 
not satisfy him however and at the age of twenty- 
six, with an earnest desire to overcome the lack of 
education, he attended select schools at Mt. Pleas- 
ant and Ashland. .Subsequent reading, experience 
and observation have also added greatly to his 
store of knowledge and he is now a well informed 
man. He taught two tei ins of school and then 
worked at the carpenter's trade for some time. On 
March 29, ISO.'J, he was united in marriage with 
Miss Cynthia A. Ranard, a native of Indiana, born 
March 5, 184 f. and their union has been blessed 
with eight children — Myrtis, who w.as born March 
6, 18t)4, and is now the wife of D. Skinner, of Lick 



Creek Township, Van Buren County; Frances A., 
born December l,"}, 1865, is the wife of James 
Elrick, a merchant of Pittsburg; Alice, born Feb- 
ruary 28, 1868, is the wife of ()scar Short, of Lick 
Creek Township; Benjamin, born March 29, 187it, 
is cmi)loyed as salesman in a store at Pittsburg; 
Emma J., born October 2.5, 1871, is the wife of 
Oscar llootman; Jesse, born April is. 1H74 ;Krnest 

L., February 2, 1878, and Stephen. .luiie 9, 1884, 
are at home. 

Immediately after his marriage, Mr. Stong em- 
barked in business as a cabinet maker, o|)ening a 
shop in Kilbourn, where he carried on oiicrations 
for twelve years. In 1875 he began his present 
busii.ess of general merchandising which he has 
since continued. His stock at the beginning was 
valued at only *.300, but now his annual sales 
amount to !j!7,000 and a branch store at Pittsbur" 
yields him *2,50(l |)er year. Mr. Stong carries only 
the best grades of goods, which in addition to his 
genial and aflfable manner has secured him his 
liberal patronage. He is a valued citizen and for 
three years served as Assessor. He cast his fust 
Presidential vote for Stephen A. Douglas, has since 
supported the Democracy and has frequently at- 
tended the county conventions of liis party as a 
delegate. His wife is a member of the .Metiiodist 
Church and a lady possessing many excellencies of 
character. 



'Jl OHN ANDUKW KKAMKK, a highly res- 
pected citizen and leading farmer of Lo- 
cust Orove Township, Jefferson County, 
was born near .Stuttgart, (icrmany. in 1820, 
and was the oldest son in the family of Jacob and 
Johanna(Notz) Kramer. The days of his boy- 
hood and youth were spent at home, and in accord- 
ance with the laws of his native laud he was for 
nearly six years in the army. Wishing to belter his 
condition and believing the opportunities afforded 
by the old uurld were inferior to the |)rivileges of 
the new and morf rapidly growing Western 



4'jO 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Hemisphere, he resolved to try his fortune in 
America uml suiting the action to tlie word 
lie cr<)SS«;(l tlie Atlantic in 184(5. He made his 
nrst location in Pennsylvania but resided in var- 
ious places until 18-18, at which time he en- 
tered one hundred and sixty acres of land in 
Jefferson County, Iowa, on a land warrant re- 
ceived for services in the ."Mexican War. Hardly 
had he reached this country before he entered its 
service, in Noveml)cr 1846, for the war against 
Mexico, and was .assigned to Company K, of the 
First Pennyslvania Regiment. He continued with 
his command until the following March, when at 
the siege of Vera Cruz, he was wounded b_v a shell 
on tlie inside of his right knee which caused paral- 
3 sis of the entire right side, resulting in total deaf- 
ness and blindness of the right ear and eye. On 
account of the injuries sustained he was discharged 
ou the 16th of May, 1847. His service in the 
Gei man Army had fitted him for the struggle here 
and he did effective work until disabled as above 
Micnlioned. 

After being mustered out, Mr. Kramer returned 
to I'ittsburg, Pa.; and the years betweer. 1849 and 
l.s.'e he spent in the Keystone State and Iowa. 
Ill the latter year lie made a permanent location 
in .Jefferson County, where he has since carried on 
farming and stock raising. He was married in 
Pitlsbnrg to Miss Margaret Schnonder, a native 
of (iermany, and their union, which was celebrated 
ill 184",), has been blessed with a family of three 
children, one son and two daughters — Andrew 
wlio makes his home in Madison Countj% Iowa; 
Callierine who is living in Jefferson County and 
Matilda who is still at home. Mr. Kramer lost his 
first wife in 1860, and the following year he was 
aLiain married, his second union being with Miss 
Mary J. Sage, daughter of Harrison P. and Eliza- 
beth (Nation) Sage. Her parents were natives of 
Kentucky and she was born in Knox County 111. 
liy this union there are eleven children and with 
one exception all are living, namely: Elizabeth, 
William and Henry, twins, Maigiiret. Israel, Jennie, 
Sadie, Rosie. Mohr and Perry. Jacob, who was 
the second child of the family, is now deceased but 
the others are yet living. 

During the late war it was Mr. Kramer's desire 



to enter the service and he enrolled his name 
among the boys in blue of Company H, Tliirlieth 
Iowa Infantry, commanded by Captain Drehr, but 
on account of the injuries received in the Mexican 
War he was not accepted. He is an active Dem- 
ocrat ia politics and a warm advocate of the party 
principles. Socially he is a member of the Odd 
Fellows society. For thirty-four years he has 
made his home in this comnumit^' and by his up- 
right life has gained many warm friends who value 
him for his worth and ap|>reciate his faillifiil dis- 
charge of the duties of citizenship. 



il/OHN R. STEVENS has been manager of the 
Edward Manning store, of Cantril, for the 
past five j'ears. He is a native of Van 
Buren County, and a representative of one 
of its pioneer families. His f.ather, A. N. Stevens, 
was born in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 1808, but 
when quite small was brought by his parents to the 
United States. The family is of Scotch-Irish de- 
scent. Having attained to mature years, Mr. 
Stevens sought the hand of Miss Sallie Deshields 
in marri.age. The lady is a native of Maryland 
and in her maidenhood removed to Indiana where 
she became the wife of Mr. Stevens. For several 
years they continued their residence in that State, 
when in 1840, they emigrated to the Territory of 
Iowa, locating in Van Buren County. 

John R. was born on the 8th of September, 1850, 
and his early life was spent in the usual manner in 
which boys pass their time. He acquired a good 
common school education, after which he learned 
the science of telegraph}', which business he 
followed in Iowa for a number of years. In the 
year 187'J he was made agent for the Chicago, 
Burlington & Kansas Cit}' Railroad, at Cantril, 
which position he occupied for four years when 
he embarked in the drug business. Later he en- 
gaged in general merchandising but sold out and 
took charge of Mr. Manning's store in 188.'). The 
stock is composed of general merchandise to the 



PORTRAIT AND 15IOORAPI1ICAL ALBUM. 



(;ti 



value of iJ'SiOOO and he is assislcd in tiie caro of 
llie s:iine by one snicsinan. 

Mr. Stevens and Miss Gettie K. Sten)i)le were 
united in tlie iioly bands of matrimony in 1874. 
The lady was born Oetolier 28. 1858, and is a daugh- 
ter of Samuel and Sarah Steniple, natives of West 
\'iririnia. Their union has been blessed with seven 
children, as follows: Roy A. Clarence J. Scba L. 
Verne F. Nellie L. Tliayne and Uliss A. 

Mr. Stevens is a member of Apollo Lodge, No. 
461, A. F. & A. M. and an adherent of Republican 
principles. He is an enterprising and progres- 
sive citizen and the fidelity which he displays in 
the management of the Manning store, indicates 
him to be a man of uprightness. His sterling 
worth has won for him man^- friends and it is with 
pleasure that we record his sketch in this volume. 



3g*J^iL^e 



^ %^ETEU I. LABAGH is a farmer of Buchanan 
Jl) Township, Jefferson County, residing on 

f^ section 30, where he and his wife have a 
I \ pleasant home and fine farm of one hundred 
and two acres, also one hundreil and twenty acres 
on section 22, in the same township. Although 
not reared to that pursuit he has made it a profita- 
ble one. Kntering upon the life of an agricul- 
turalist with the same zeal and enterprise which 
characterized his other undertakings, it soon became 
evident that he would meet with success and he is 
now accounted one of the substantial citizens of 
the community. 

The Lahagh family is of German extraction an<l 
its founder, Hendrich Labagh, the great-great- 
grandfather of our subject, was born in Darmstadt, 
May 7, 1693. He married Elizabeth I^asher, who 
was born in ^L1rping, Germany, .June 12, 1700, 
and they came to the United Stales prior to 1734 
for Isaac Labagh, their seventh child, was born in 
Hackensack, N. J., on the 2011'. of June of that 
year. He married Judith Ozee, a native of France, 
in New York City, in 1759, and had six children, 
of whom the fourth, Peter, who was born Novem- 



ber 10, 1773, was the next in direct descent to the 
father of oiu- subject. In New York, in 1795, he 
wedded Magdalene Van Alen, of Holland parent- 
age. He was a minister of the German Reformed 
Church and preached until old age compelled him 
to withdraw from tliij ministry, but during that 
lime had charge of only two parishes, having been 
for more than forty years in the latter. By his first 
wife he had three children and after her death he 
wedded RLnria Schoonmaker, by whom he had four 
children. His death occurred ct the age of eighty- 
five years. 

Isaac P. Labagh, the father (if our subject, was 
the third child of the first marriage. He was born 
in Leeds, Green County, N. Y., on the 14th of 
August, 1804, and began making preparations for 
the ministry by pursuing a classical course in 
Dickinson College, Pennsylvatda. He further con- 
tinued his studies in the theological department of 
Rutgers College, of New Brunswick. His first 
charge was at Rochester, N. Y., and was followed 
by a pastorate at Gravesend, Long Island, after 
which he withdrew from the German Reformed 
Church and united with the Episcopal Church. 
For several years he was a missionary to the Jews 
of New York City and did an excellent work 
among them. He founded and built the Episcopal 
Church in Gloucester, N. J., also .St. Paul's Epis- 
copal Church of South Brooklyn. N. Y., and resus- 
citated Calvary Church of Brooklyn which had 
fallen into decay. In 1860, he removed to Mel lenry 
County-, 111., and established the female seminarj' 
known as Euphemia Hall, at Marengo, with his own 
means. Two years laler it was burned, losing him 
some 115,000. He then went to Cairo, HI., and 
built St. Peter's Episcopal Church and in 1865 lie 
took charge of the church in Fairfield. Iowa. Two 
years later he 'was placed in charge of the churches 
in Albia, Russell and Chariton, Iowa, building a 
house of worship in the second. Beside bis pastoral 
duties which covered a perioil of about forty years 
he was also the author of many valuable papers 
and articles published in religious and other jour- 
nals, including Prophetic Expositions ami Theo- 
klesia. About 1856 he was sent as chaplain to the 
American minister in Rome. His life was ilcvoled 
to the wcuk of the church and on the 29th of De- 



A-i-' 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



cember, 1869, he was called to the home prepared 
for the righteous, dying in Fairfield. His wife and 
tiie mother of our subject, whose maiden name was 
Mary K. Magaw. was born near (havesend. Long 
Island, October, 5. 1812, and is a member of the 
same family as Capt. JIagaw. of Revolutionary, 
fame. Her father was an extensive planter of Long 
Island and was a large slaveholder. On the loth 
of July, 18:53. .at Flatbush, Long Island, she be- 
came the wife of Mr. Labagli and unto them were 
born live children, three of whom are yet living — 
Reginald H. is a stock broker of Chicago; Living- 
stone is a resident of Pennsylvania. 

Peter I. Labagh, the other of the surviving chil- 
dren, is the oldest now living and the second of the 
family. He was born on Long Island, April 2^ 
183C, and was reared at Gravesend. He received 
the advantages of a collegiate education and was 
well fitted by home and school training for the 
duties of this life. He prepared for college in New- 
York City and in 1856 was graduated from the 
Columbia College with the degree of A. B. Later 
he studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1859 
in New York City where be practiced for two 
years. He was then engaged as te.acher of the 
classical branches in his father's school in Marengo, 
111., and in Ajjril, 1H6I. he laid aside all other 
duties to become a member of Company D, Fif- 
teenth Illinois Infantry, that he miglit aid in the 
defense of his country which was imperilled by 
the threatened secession of the South. He enlisted 
in April, 18G1, on the first call for troops and 
served one year as Second Lieutenant of his com- 
panj', wlien he was forced to resign on account of 
ill health. He was then employed by the Illinois 
Central Railroad in Cairo. 111., to take charge of 
the army and navy freights, after which he re- 
moved to Mound City, HI., where he was emplo^-ed 
as book-keeper in the navy department until the 
close of the war. 

The month of Deceniber, 1865, witnessed the ar- 
rival of Mr. Labagh in Fairfield and soon after- 
ward he made a location a mile and a half east of 
the city, having determined to devote his attention 
to agricultur.al pursuits. October 10, 1866, in 
Fairfield he married Martha I. Bright, daughter of 
Nicholas JI. and Isabel (Kelley) Bright. They 



have become parents of seven children — Isaac H., 
a plumber of Omaha, Neb.; Steel B. who is associ- 
ated with his brother; Mary G., Belle B., Nicholas 
B., John and Martha H. The mother is a member 
of the Presb^'lerian Church. Mr. Labagh has been 
a life long Democrat and socially is a member of 
the G. A. R. Post of Fairfield. Widely and favor- 
ablj- known throughout the community as a repre- 
sentative citizen and a man of sterling worth, he 
well deserves representation in thisjvolume and it 
is with pleasure that we record his sketch. 



-£^^-- 



7^~iH0MAS TULLEY, proprietor of a meat- 
market of Cantril, Van Buren County, is a 
native of Pennsylvania. He was born in 
Schuylkill, August 15, 1847, and Is a son of Thomas 
and Margaret (Canfil) Tulley. His parents were 
both natives of Ireland, where they grew to matu- 
rity and were married, after which they left the 
Emerald Isle and came to America, locating in the 
Keystone State, where our subject was born. The 
father engaged in coal mining for some time and 
then started westward with the hope of bettering 
his financial condition. He took up his residence 
in St. Louis, Mo., where he opened a grocery store, 
carrying on business in that line until, attracted b}' 
the discovery of gold at Pike's Peak, he started for 
the scene of supposed wealth. He was last heard 
of at Salt Lake City and a report came that he was 
there taken sick and died, but it was supposed that 
he was killed for his team and the money which he 
carried with him. His widow ever remained true 
to his memory and devoted herself to her six chil- 
dren thus left dependent upon her for support. 
Catherine, the eldest daughter. Is now the wife of 
John Smith; Lydia wedded John A. Leas and is 
living in Keoknk; Lizzie is the deceased wife of 
Noah PriLchett, of Cantril; John, William and 
Thomas complete the family. Mrs. Tulley came 
with her children to Iowa in 1850, where she re- 
mained until her death which occurred some twenty- 
four years later. Her remains were buried In 



PORTRAIT AND BIOORAPIIICAL ALBUM. 



498 



lloskins Cemetery, and a beauliful luoiuniu'rit 
iiKirks her last ri'stinjj place, erected as a token of 
the love which lu'f cliildren bore her. 

We now take n|> the personal liislory of Thomas 
'rnlley. who at the early aye of thirteen years be- 
gan life for himself and has since made his own 
nay in the world. It was ins desire to follow rnil- 
roadiiig and to that end he liecame an engine wiper 
on the Waliash Kiiad. i)n llic expiration of a term 
of apprenticeship be was made Sreman. an<l after 
three years, in rec'ognition of bis efliciency and 
faithfnlness, be was i)laced in charge of an engine. 
He continued railroading then for a period of 
tiiirteen years, but at length desisted from it 
at the request of his aged mother, who feared that 
her boy might in that manner meet bis death. In 
several instances he did narrowly escape death, 
having been in several wrecks, in one of which his 
left wrist was crushed. During his thirteen years' 
service as an engineer he was emploj-ed upon the 
Wabash and the Union Pacific Railroads, and after 
his return to the road, following the death of his 
mother, he entered the employ of the Keokuk, St. 
Louis & Western, a branch of the Chicago, Bur- 
lington <Se Quinc}- system. 

At length Mr. Tulley permanently abandoned 
engineering and turned his attention to the breed- 
ing of horses and jacks, purchasing a thoroughbred 
Clyde and Norman stallion and a Kentucky jack. 
This business he sold out and then embarked in tlie 
butchering business, which he followed in Illinois 
until the autumn of 1881, when he came to Cantril, 
Iowa. On the 22d of October, he opened a meat- 
market in Cantril and to that vocation he has since 
devoted his energies. lie slaughters on an average 
of three cattle per week, does all his own killing, 
preserves his own meats and has a good trade. 
Considering tli£ disadvantages under which he la- 
bored in early years, he h.as met with excellent 
success in his business career which is due to his 
thrift and industry. 

In 1874. Mr. Tulley wedded Louisa J. Struble, 
who was horn in Van Huren Count3' in 1863, and 
is a daughter of .lacob and Louisa Struble, natives 
of (Germany. Five children grace their union and 
the family circle yet remains unbroken. In order 
of birth they are as follows: John, F. Clare, .Speed, 



Bessie and Rutledgc L. Mr. Tulley 'is one of the 
active member.s of the Methodist Church, is one 
of the Board of Directors under whose manage- 
ment the house of worship was erected, and to the 
support of the Gospel he gives liberally. As every 
true citizen should do, he feels an interest in po- 
litical affairs, his views being in harmony with the 
principles of Democracy. He is a member of the 
City CouniMl, which position he h.as fdled five years 
to the satisfaction of all concerned. In civic so- 
cieties, Mr. Tulley takes considerable interest and 
is an honored member of several organizations. 
He belongs to Apollo Lodge No. 461, A. F. & A. M., 
Moore Chapter, and Commandery of Keosauqua; 
also holds membership in Prairie Gem Lodge, No. 
50, I. O. O. F., which he has three times represented 
in the State Lodge, and also in Cantril Lodge, No. 
235. K. P. He is aretired member of the Brother- 
hood of Locomotive p]ngineers. 



-*--:>'>^:i^^it:^<^^ 



ALDON PARSONS, who resides on section 
' 25, Buchanan Township, claims the honor 
''(M)]\] of lieing a native of Jefferson County — and 
'^iss^ it is an honor of which few as old as he can 
boast — his birth having occurred on the Ilth of 
April, 1830. His father, John R. Parsons, was 
b,)rn in Randolph County, W. Va., December 22, 
1806, and was of German and Irish descent. He 
married Diana Parsons, who though of the same 
name was not related. She was also born in 
Randolph County, June 22, 1811, and was a daugh- 
ter of one of the Revolutionary heroes. The 
marri.age of the parents of our subject was cele- 
brated December 11, 1827, and in 1836 they left 
their native State, where Mr. Parsons h.ad previ- 
ously carried on farming, and started for Iowa, but 
winter overtook them ere they reached their desti- 
nation, one of the children was taken sick and they 
determined to spend the winter in Illinois. The 
husband, however, in company with Sc.\ton Mount, 
crossed the Mississi|)pi on the ice, m.ade his way 
directly to Jeflfei'son County and near Brighton 



4'Jt 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



located a claim, after wliich be relumed to his 
family. Tlie followinf? April, accompanied by 
wife and children, lie completed the journey to 
Jefferson County •■*"'l located on section 30, Lock- 
ridge Township, where he built a pioneer cal)in 
and began life in true frontier style. He was one 
of the progressive farmers of the county and 
succeeded in accumulating four Inmdred and eighty 
acres of land. He brought the lirst reaper and the 
(ir.st mower into the county, was among the first 
to introduce Short-horn cattle and made a specialty 
of raising fine stock. He also helped to make the 
coffin for David Coop, the first white man buried 
in the county. He served as township trustee for 
several years and also one term as a member of the 
iioar<l of County .Supervisors. He helped to lay 
out the now flourishing cit}- of Fairfield and in 
many other ways was prominently identified witii 
the county's interests anil deserves no little credit 
for the labors he |)Ut forth for its advancement 
and progress. In politics he was a life long Dem- 
ocrat and both he and his wife were members of 
the Methodist Episcopal Church from cliildhood. 
Mrs. Parsons passed to the better land August 28, 
187<J, and on the 27th of Xovemher, 1882, having 
survived his wife six years, the death of Mr. Par- 
sons occurred. He stood in the front rank of any 
enterprise for public improvement, was honored as 
a citizen and friend, and in the church was one of 
the most faithful and devoted workers. 

To the worthy couple just mentioned was born 
a family of twelve children, nine of whom lived to 
mature years, wer<' married and reared families ; 
Jerome die<l in the i)rime of life ; Eugene is 
engaged in farming in California ; Lucy A. is the 
wife of Jeff Travis, a resident of Rtioks County, 
Kan.; Robert E. is a farmer of Buclianan Town- 
ship, Jefferson County ; Baldon is the next in 
order of birth ; he is followed bv Solomon; 
Rebecca is the wife of Benjamin Archibald, a 
resident of Jefferson County; Mary J. is tiie wife 
of Charles Linslrura who makes his home in Lucus 
County, Iowa; and .lohn J. is engaged in agrieul- 
tural pursuits in Smith County, Kan. 

Our subject was reared amid the wild scenes of 
pioneer life and in consefpience his educational 
advantages were limileil. lie had to walk four 



miles to the first school he attemied, and after he 
had attained a sufficient age he was compelled to 
leave his studies and engage in farm labor. He 
drove cattle to a plow used in breaking prairie, so 
tliat we see the work of advancement had not yet 
been carried very far forward for the land was 
still in its primitive conilition. Baldon remembers 
having accompanied his father to mill when they 
had to go all tiie way to Illinois to have their 
bread stuff ground. This is only one instance of 
many disadvantages to be borne by the earl}' 
settlers, and to them more than to any .other class 
of i)eople is due the advanced position which 
Jefferson Count}' today occupies. At the age of 
twenty j'ears, Mr. Parsons started out in life for 
himself to make his own way in the world and 
chose as a companion on life's journey Miss Marj- 
M. Overhulser, thtir union being celebrated on the 
21si of April, 1869. The lad}' was born near 
Dayton, Ohio, September 2, 1840, and is a daugh- 
ter of Henry and Mary M. (McCormick) Over- 
hulser, the former a native of Pennsylvania, the 
latter of Virginia. In their youth they removed 
with their respective families to Montgomery 
County, Ohio, where they were married and in 
184.5 they came to Jefferson Count}-, settling in 
Buchanan Township. The first stove they owned 
they gave in part [wyment for a forty acre tract 
of land, but as year by year rolled on they met with 
successes whicii placetl them in conifortal)le cir- 
cumstances. Mr. Overhulser was a Democrat and 
held a number of township offices with credit to 
himself and to the satisfaction of all concerned. 
Mrs. Parsons was the sixth child in a family of 
twelve children, six of whom are now living, 
namely: George W., a farmer of Marion County, 
Kan.; William, a retired farmer of Fairlield ; Jacob 
L. who is engaged in farming in Madison County, 
Iowa; Henry C, a resident of California; John L., 
who is engaged in agricultural ()ursuits in Madison 
County, Iowa; and James M. who follows the same 
business in Buchanan Township. 

Mr. Parsons and his wife have passed their 
entire married life on the farm whicli is still their 
home and four hundred and seventeen and one-half 
acres of fine land, owned by himself and sons, now 
pay tribute to his care and cultivation. He is also 



% i!3& 





C. E. BULL. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



4'.»7 



' doing a fine business iis a stock-dealer, raising only 
, ) the best grades, and has one of the largest and 

' best barns in the county. His liome is truly a 
model farm with its comfortable dwelling, good 

j outbuildings, improved stock, etc., and the entire 
surroundings iiuHcate the thrift and enterprise of 
the owner. 

IMr. and Mrs. Parsons are the parents of seven 
children — Ira E., who wedded May Park and after 
her death married Bailie E. Low; John IL, George 
B., Truman E., Ella, James E. and S. Delmer. The 
parents and cliildren are all members of the 
Methodist Church and no family in the community- 
is more highl)' esteemed. Their home is the abode 
of hospitality and good will and their friends are 
sure of a hearty welcome and warm reception. Mr. 
Parsons cast his first vote for Stephen A. Douglas 
and has since supported the Democratic part}-. 
Socially, he is a member of the Old Settlers Soc'etj'. 
Great indeed h»s been the change in his home and 
in the county in the fifty 5 ears of his residence 
here. He was a manufacturer of the greater part 
of the furniture in his first liome and few comforts 
and fewer luxuries were found in the dwelling, but 
the sun of prosperity shone upon him and he is 
now one of the substantial farmers of thecoramun- 
ily. The eninty has also undergone a like change 
and from a wild and barren region it has been con- 
verted into a region of fruitfulness, well rewarding 
the efforts of those engaged in its cultivation. 



-^-fr^ ^ 




ON. CHANDLER E. BULL, Mayor of Mil- 
ton, and a farmer and breeder and dealer in 
live-stock, ranks among the progressive 
)) and influential citizens of Van Buren 
County. He is a native of Scotland County, Mo., 
born October 3, 1833, and a son of Ilezekiah and 
Abigail (Burris) Bull. His father was born in 
Highland County, Ohio, June 22, 1827, while his 
mother is a native of Marion County, Ind. In 
August. 1M50, they became residents of Scotland 
County, Mo., where Ihey yet make their home. 



The subject of this sketch received Ids primary 
education in the district schools of the neighbor- 
hood and later attended the Kirksville Normal, 
where he fitted himself for the profession of teach- 
ing. He taught four terms of school and then em- 
barked ip farming in his native county, where lie 
continued his agricultural pursuits until 1881, which 
year witnessed his arrival in Van Buren County, 
Iowa. He purchased a farm in the southern part 
of Jackson Townslii)), near the State line, being four 
and a half miles south of the cit}- of Milton. He 
has since increased its acreage until he is now the 
owner of six hundred and sixty-five acres of well- 
improved land, constituting one of the finest im- 
proved stock farms in Southeastern Iowa. This is 
well stocked with fine grades of horses, cattle and 
hogs, but he is making a spccinlty of breeding road- 
ster horses. Other interests have also occupied the 
attention of Mr Bull. In 1885, he removed to Mil- 
ton but still retains the ownership of his farm, and 
engaged in the lumber and grain business in com- 
pany with J. D.Hollinshead as partner but later was 
associated with II. C. Hill. That connection con- 
tinued until July, 1800, when he sold out, since 
which time he has been engaged in dealing in live 
stock, making a specialty of good driving horse,«. 
He personally superintends the operations of his 
farm and does an extensive business in the lints 
before mentioned. 

It was in Scotland County, Mo., that on the 1st 
of December, 1875, Mr. Bull led to the marriage 
altar Miss Ida Billups, daughter of Joseph Billups, 
formerly of Missouri, now a resident of Milton. 
Mrs. Bull w.as born in Scotland County, where her 
family were among the earliest settlers, on the 1 llh 
of April, 1853. One child has been born of this 
union, a daughter, Minnie ^L^y, who was born in 
Scotland County. Mo., on the 15tli of March. 1878. 

Mr. and Mrs. Bull are Universilists in their rc- 
ligous views. In politics, he is a Dtmocrat and lias 
been chosen to various local offices of honor and 
trust. He has served as Township Trustee, Treas- 
urer of the Township School Board, President of 
the Milton Board of Education and is the present 
Mayor of the city. His faithfulness to the trust 
reposed in him and the promptness with which he 
discharges every duty, has made him a popular 



498 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



officer and won him the respect of all concerned. 
Socially he is a meml)er of Lone Star Lodge, 
No. I.")'i, I. O. O. F.; of Aurora Lodge, No. 50, A. 
F. S: A. INL and of Jackson Lodge, No. 28, K. P. 
Mr. Bull is recognized as one of the most enterpris- 
ing and successful business men of Van Buren 
County and is deservedly popular. Ilis unpretend- 
ing and affable manner, prompt and business-like 
melliods. command respect and confidence and have 
won him a host of warm friends. 






vv 



^OHN WELCH, who resides on section 31, 

Buchanan Township, is one of the self-made 

' men (if Jefferson County, and the record of 

W his life might well be studied by many 
youths of today and his example of energy, per- 
severance and industry be closely followed b^' 
I hem. He was born in Stark County, Ohio, Feb- 
ruary 19, 1822. His father, John Welch, Sr., was 
a native of Maryland, and his paternal grandpac- 
enls were of Irish birth. His ancestors on his 
mother's side, however, were of German birth, and 
with all their worldly effects tied up in two hand- 
keichiefs they left the Fatherland for America. 
Their move proved a profitable one for they gained 
a comfortable competence and became well-to-do 
citizens of Ohio. In his youth John Welch, Sr., 
removed to the Keystone State, where he became 
acquainted with and wedded Miss Susanna Schus- 
ter, a native of Pennsylvania. Shortly afterward 
they became residents of Stark County-, Ohio, and 
in the midst of its forests developed a large farm. 
Both were members of the Lutheran Church, and 
in politics Mr. Welch was a Democrat. Tlie death 
of the mother occurred in tne fifty-fifth year of 
her age. and the father died at the age of seventy- 
five years. Of their family, which numbered ten 
children, six sons and four daughters, four are 
yet living — Margaret, who resides in Indiana; 
John, of this sketcli; Samuel, who served in the 
lute war and is now a practicing phj'slcian of 



Washington County, Kan.; and William, who is 
living in Stark County, Ohio. 

The boyhood of our subject was not one of 
unallo3'ed i)leasure. The family- lived upon a 
wooded farm and as soon as he was old enough he 
was compelled to aid in clearing the land and other- 
wise advancing the interests of the household. 
His educational advantages were therefore neces- 
sarily limited, but experience and observation have 
been to him profitable teachers, and his own life 
may be called one of success. He remained at 
home assisting his father until his marriage, having 
never worked but two days for w.ages, and then 
he received liut forty-two cents per day. Having 
attained to mature years and thinking himself able 
to maintain a home of his own, on the 2d of 
November, 1843. he led to the marriage altar Miss 
Clarissa Chase, who was born in Columbiana County, 
Ohio, July 26, 1824, and is a daughter of Josiah 
and Sallie (Newman) Chase. Her parents were 
married in Massachusetts and from that State 
emigrated to Ohio, where they were among the 
early settlers. In accordance with their profes- 
sions as members of the Methodist Church, they 
lived consistent Christian lives and won the re- 
spect and confidence of all with whom they came 
in contact. The death of the father occurred at 
the age of cight3'-eight years, and his wife was 
called to her final home in the seventy-fourth 
jear of her .age. ilrs. W^clch w.as the sixth in 
their family of eight children, five of whom are 
now living. 

Mr. and Mrs. Welch entered upon their domes- 
tic life on a farm in his native countj^ and on the 
27th of August, 1854, started for Iowa. Traveling 
by w.agon, they reached their destination after 
four weeks, and Mr. Welch made purch.ise of a 
two hundred acre farm in Cedar Township, which 
he has since sold. His home on section 31, Bu- 
chanan Township, comprises two hundred and 
five acres, well cultivated and inij^roved, and he 
and his family are now surrounded with all the 
comforts whicli go to make life worth the living. 
One horse and two cows, some sheep and swine, 
and some household effects constituted the com- 
bined wealth of himself and wife when the^' began 
life for themselves, but step by step he has worked 






PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



4f»'.t 



his way upward, aided by the able assistance of his 
wife, and prosperity lias now crowned his eflforts. 
As stated in the beginning, tiie energy and enter- 
prise which has tnarived iiis course might well be 
taken as an example by others who, lilie him, have 
to begin life dependent upon their own resources. 
In his political alHliations he has been a Republican 
since residing in Iowa, but previous to that time 
was an advocate of Democratic principles. Both 
he and his wife are members of the Methodist 
Church. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Welch liave been born eight 
children — Sarah, wife of Reuben D. Dubois; Su- 
sanna, wife of John Hiscl; John W., who married 
Alice Stonebreaker and is eng.iged in farming in 
Kansas; Amanda M., wife of Justin Snook; Clarissa 
I., who died in infancy; William L., who married 
Delia Templeton; Josiah C, who died at the age 
of three years, ani an infant daughter, also de- 
ceased. 



-m^ 



AMES W. CLAPP, a leading farmer and 
stock-raiser of Buchanan Township, residing 
on section 28, is a native of North Carolin.i. 
He was born in Guilford Count3', on the 
2nd of June. 1836, and is a son of John and Maria 
J. (Phipps) Clapp. His father w,as born in Guil- 
ford County, on the 1st day of January-, 1810. and 
spent the days of his boyhood and youth in that 
neighborhood where later he married Miss Phipps 
who is some nine years his junior In 1838, here- 
moved to Jennings County, Ind., with his wife and 
two children, making the journey in a one-horse 
wagon and when lie had arrived at his destination 
and all his traveling expenses were paid he found 
that he had but thirty-five cents remaining with 
which to begin life on the then western frontier. 
He was an athletic man and a great wrestler. Full 
of energy, he betook himself to making a farm in 
the heavy beech woods and accomplished the work 
which he undertook. Some sixteen j-ears later, in 
18.J4. he came to Jefferson County, locating in 
Bucliauan Township, but in 185C, he removed to 



Wayne County, Iowa, where he and his wife still 
reside. When the war broke out he cquipited his 
two sons, William L. and John F.. for the Inion 
Army and himself enlisted as a member of the cele- 
brated Graybeard regiment, in wliich he did valiant 
service. His sympathies being heartily enlisted 
with the oppressed negroes of the South, on the 
formation of the Republican party which w.as 
organized to prevent the further extension of 
slavery, he severed his connection with the old 
Whig party and joined the ranks of the new one. 
Although re.ired in the midst of a slave holding 
settlement, he was always a strong op|)onent of the 
practice. Both he and his wife hare been life-long 
members of the Presbyterian Church and are 
respected citizens of Wayne County. 

James \V. Clapp, whose name heads this notice, 
was the eldest in a family of thirteen children, five 
sons and eight daughters, of whom eight, three 
sons and five daughters are yet living. Being the 
eldest of a numerous family, he was in consequence 
obliged to assist his father in clearing the farm and 
getting the land in readiness that it might yield 
some returns for their efforts, and hence had little 
oi)portunity for securing an education. He w.qs 
eighteen years of age when became with his paients 
to Jefi'erson County. He accompanied them to 
W.iyne County also, but soon afterwards returned 
and on the loth of February. 1861, in Buchanan 
Township, he w.as united in marriage with Miss 
Samantha J. McCorm.ick, a native of Indiana, and 
a daughter of John and Mary A. (M.axwell) Mc- 
Cormack. 

After his marriage. Mr. Clapp and his bride took 
up tlieir residence in Wayne County, where he 
purchased and improved an eighty-acre farm, but 
in 1864 we once more find him in Jeflfeison County 
and since that time he has made his home in Buch- 
anan Township. A self-made man, the posses- 
sions which he has are the result of industry, good 
management and enterprise. His farm comprises 
three hundred and fifty-two and one-half acres, all 
highly cultivated and improved, upon which he 
raises stock for market. 

The union of Mr. and Mrs. Clapp was blessed 
with nine children, six sons and three daughters; 
two daughters however died in infancy ami Mary 



500 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPIirCAL ALBUM. 



S. <lio(l at the age of eleven j'cars. The living are 
.lohn E.. a resident farmer of Nebraska; William 
L. at home; Charles H., who is also living in Ne- 
braska ; George W.; Marshall J. and Vernon H. 

Mr. Clapp casts his ballot with the Republican 
parly and both he and his wife belong to the 
Fairfield Methodist Church. He is regarded as a 
prominent and influential citizen of the community 
but has never sought prominence through public 
office preferring the quiet of home life to the turmoil 
of politics. He is a man well informed on all 
matters of general interest and we gladly record 
the sketch of one so widely and favorably known. 



^ 



z^ 



'S^DMUND R. NORVELL, one of tlie early 
lU) settlers of Jefferson County, engaged in 
/ |L -Jj farming on section 32, Buchanan Townshii), 
is a native of Kentucky. He was born on the 6tii 
of September, 1835, in Barren County, and is a son 
of Edmund and Anna K. (Winn) Norvell. His 
father, wliose birth occurred near Lynchburg, Va., 
emigrated during his boyhood to Barren County, 
Ky., where he became acquainted with and wedded 
Miss Winn, who was born in that county on the 
15th of August, 1812. He died when about 
twenty-five years of age from hemorrhage of tlie 
lungs caused by lifting at a log rolling. About 
1838, the mother witli our subject, her only child, 
accompanied her brother to Carthage, HI., and in 
1840, she came to Van Buren County, where she af- 
terward married Charles L. Cox, who had located 
in Van Buren County, in 1838. Three years later 
they came to Jefferson County, settling in Cedar 
Township. Mrs. Cox, who was a member of the 
Missionary Baptist Church, died on the 1st of Sep- 
tember, 1887. Mr. Cox, who was born in Adair 
County, Ky., November 16, 1817, and is a mem- 
ber of the Christian Church, is still livin^. 

Edmund R. Norvell, of whom we write, spent his 
early life in the usual manner of farmer lads, re- 
ceiving such educational advantages as were af- 
forded in the old log school house, walking a dis- 



tance of two and a half miles to the same. He 
remained at home aiding in the labors of the farm 
until he had attained his majority when he started 
out in life for himself. It was his intention to fol- 
low some other pursuit than that to which he had 
been reared and for some eighteen months he read 
law in the office of Judge Charles Negus, but health 
failed him and he was forced to abandon his cher- 
ished plan. In the summer of 1859, in company 
with David Thompson and Ellis Woods he made a 
journey to Colorado, locating near Central Cit}-, 
where he engaged in mining for about two years. 
He spent a part of the summer of 1860 in prospect- 
ing in Southern Colorado and New Mexico, but 
since his return to Jefferson County in the spring 
of 1861, he has devoted his time and attention to 
farming, meeting with excellent success. His farm 
comprises two hundred and sixty acres, all but 
twenty of which are arable and it is furnished with 
ail the necessary buildings and stocked with a high 
grade of horses and cattle, including a herd of 
eight thorough-bred Short-horns. 

A marriage ceremony performed near Pittsburg, 
Pa., on the 8th of February, 1864, united the des- 
tinies of Mr. Norvell and Miss Leonora Shearer, 
who was born in Pennsylvania, February 2, 1840. 
She accompanied her parents to Jefferson County 
in 1858, and was visiting in her native State at the 
lime of her marriage. Mr. and Mrs. Norvell began 
their domestic life upon the farm which is still their 
home and their union has been blessed with four 
children — Anna, who is now the wife of Jesse Van 
Nostrand, a resident of Thomas County, Kan.; 
Charles S. and Amanda C, who are still with their 
parents; and Mary, the youngest, who died at the 
age of four years. 

Mr. Norvell is accounted one of the leading and 
representative citizens of the communit3' in which 
he makes his home and well deserves representation 
among the prominent men of his adopted county. 
In his political affiliations in early life he was a 
Whig, but on the dissolution of that party joined 
the ranks of the Democracy. He served acceptably 
for seven years as Township Clerk. Mr. Norvell 
may rightly be termed a self-made man. as his pos- 
sessions which place him in comfortable circum- 
stances have been acquired through his own efforts. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



601 



For half a century he lias been a resident, of Iowa, 
and forty-seven }'e:us lie has spent in Jefferson 
County. He is one of the orij^inal membeis of the 
Old Settlers Society and is hotli widely and favor- 
ably known. 



EUGl 
far, 
: dre 



^^ 



UGENE MASON, one of the prominent 
farmers ar.d stock-raisers, owninj; one hun- 
!}~j^' dred and fifty-six acres, and residing on 
section 10, Des Moines Township, Van liuren 
Count}-, came tolliis count}' in 1858, having at that 
time been a resident of this country for live }'ears. 
He was born in Alsace, Nrfi'th France, .lune 26. 
1836, and was fourth in a famii}- of six ciiildren, 
of .lohn and Margaret Mason, also natives of France. 
His fatlier was an extensive contractor in his native 
city, and was recognized as one of the most promi- 
nent of his time. He built some of the largest and 
most extensive buildings in the district and during 
tiie .season en)[)loycii from five to forty men. Up 
to the time i)f his deatii he was one of the promi- 
nent men of his locality. He died of asthma in 
1853, at the age of fifty six. His mother died in 
1887 at the age of eighty seven. Both died in 
their native land. Our subject and his sister Mar- 
garet are the onl}' remaining members of the fiimiiy. 
Eugene Mason was the only representative of the 
family that came to this countrj'. He was edu- 
cated in the common schools of his native (ountry, 
and in the summer learned the trade of masonry 
and stoueciitting and also that of a plasterer. At 
the age of nineteen- years, in company with two 
companions, he left Havre, France, on an American 
bound vessel, and was one hundred and five days 
making the trip. The vessel was a sailer and had 
four hundred and fiftj^ passengers on board.. The 
yellow fever broke out among them and eighty-six 
died before they got to the West Indies, where 
Eugene landed on the Island of St. Thomas. He 
ascribes his escape from death to the excessive use 
of cherry brandy on the voyage. In 185.5 he landed 
in New Orleans, where he remained a short time 



and then went to St.' Louis, Mo., where he engaged 

at his trade, cutting stone on the courthouse and 
other buildings. In the following year he went to 
St. .loseph. Mo., wiiere he remained a short time 
and then returned to St. Louis but in the same year 
went to St. Charles, thence to Jefferson City, and 
returning once more to St. Louis. Again leaving 
the latter place he went up the river, working at 
his trade in vaiious cities. He was foreman on the 
contract for the building in Fort Uodge, one of the 
finest structures in the West. Since his residence 
in this county he has done considerable work at 
his tra<le. He laid the first stone work in Keosau- 
qiia, and has put u|) nearly all the large bridges of 
this county, and in Api)anoose County built a large 
Court House. He erected his own residence of 
stone and brick. His farm he improved until it is 
now one of the best in the county. 

Mr. Mason was married in 1866, to Eliza Hohr, 
a daughter of William Hohr, who was a native of 
Germany. Mrs. Mason was born in Keosauqua, in 
1848, her parents being among the early settU'rs of 
that place. They have five children living: Carrie, 
wife of Sam -Steinmeycr. a resident of Keosauqija; 
Lena, wife of John Heim; Edward, Willa, and 
Amelia. Mr. Mason politically is an Independent. 
He is a member of Keosauqua Lodge No. 3, I. O. 
O. F. His family are members of the Christian 
Church. As a citizen, Mr. Mason is well esteemed 
by all who know him and is a warm supporter of 
every enterprise calculated for the public good. 



RSINO D. STUBBS, residing on section U(, 
Buchanan Township, Jefferson County, issu- 
^/' perintendent of the Empire Horse Ranch, one 
of the leading stock farms of Southeastern Iowa. He 
was born in Liberty, Ind., July 17,1856, and when 
a year old wiis tftkcu by his parents, Daniel P. 
and Carrie (Hollingsworth) Stubbs, to Fairfield, 
Iowa, where his elenienlai-y education was received. 
His early scholastic training, was, however, sup- 
|)lemented by a course in the Denmark Academy 



■.02 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



and Uie Iowa Wcsle.van Universitj\ of Mt. Pleasant, 
wlicre he rcmaintd two years, after wliicli be took 
a course of instruction in the Bryant & Stratton 
Business CoUcsje of Ciiieago. One of the first en- 
terprises in whicli he was engaged was vvitli the 
Cliicago, Burlington <fe Quincy Railroad Company, 
by whom lie was emploj'ed as book-keeper for the 
contractor and paymaster, as contractor on his own 
account and as superintendent of construction for 
others. He remained with the company for eight 
years 

In September, 1885, Mr. Stubbs became one of 
the proprietors and manager of the Empire Horse 
Kanci;. Tiie firm of D. P. .Stubbs & .Sons does the 
most extensive business west of the Mississippi 
River in the line of importing Belgian draft and 
Oldenburg coach horses. On their farm is kept a 
large supply of tiie above breeds together with 
French draft liorses. The last two years they liave 
run a branch sale stable in St. .Josepli, Mo. Orsino 
D. .Stubbs is a young man well informed as re- 
gards the horse family, and disphiys considerajile 
business ability as the su|)erinteMdent of the Em- 
pire Horse Ranch. Politically, he reserves the 
right to act and think independent of any party 
and votes for tlie man who he believes will best 
lill liie office. 

On the 2.3d of December, 1879, Mr. Stubbs was 
united in marriage with Miss Alice Stubbs, who is 
a native of Henry County, where the wedding was 
celebrated. Unto them were born three children, 
but two died in infancy; the other bears the name 
of Rex.O. 



"^^IIEODORE F. HIGLEY, City Clerk and 
/ /p. Superintendent of the Water Works of 
\^ Fairfield, was born in Jamestown, Chau- 
tauqua County, N. Y.. on the 21st of March, 1839, 
his parents being Daniel and Nancy (Bentley) 
Higley. Hi.'* father was born near Bennington, 
Windham County, Vt., but his mother was a native 
of Cattaraugus County, N. Y., and her people were 



among the pioneers on the banks of Lake Chau- 
tauqua. 'Ilie Higley family is of English origin, 
our subje(a tracing his ancestry in direct line back 
to Capt. John Higley of England; while the family 
was founded in America b}- Brewster Higley who 
settled in Connecticut. 

When a babe of about six months our subject 
was t.aken by his parents in the fall of 1839 to Ogle 
County, III., the family locating at Buffalo Grove. 
He received his education in Mt. Morris Semi- 
nary and soon after the firing upon Fort Sumter 
enlisted in the country's service in May, 18(11, as 
a member of Comijany H, Fifteenth Illinois Vol- 
unteer Infantry. He served for one year, during 
which time he participated in the battle of Shiloh 
and was then discharged on account of physical 
disability. In Deceml>er. 1863, he re enlisted as a 
member of the Fourth Illinois Cavalry, and was 
assigned to Company D, but later his regiment was 
consolidated with the Twelfth Illinois Cavalry in 
which he continued to serve until April, 1865, 
when he was mustered into the Third U. S. Heavy 
Artillery, in which he served until the close of the 
war. He was mustered out of the service at 
Memphis, Tenn., on November 28, 1865. His 
service was in the western department entirely and 
made him a participant in many important battles 
and skirmishes. 

From Memphis, Tenn., Mr. Higley made his w.ay 
to Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, whither his family liad re- 
moved in tlie meantime, but in 1866, he came to 
Fairfield and in connection with his brother Daniel 
G., purchased a drug store, continuing in that line 
of business until 1880, covering a period of four- 
teen consecutive years. During tlie past ten years 
he has been in the employ of the city in one or 
another official capaeit3- and it is needless to say has 
ever discharged his duties with promptness and 
fidelit3'. In December 1882, lie was elected City 
Clerk, a position which he still fills, and since the 
acceptance of the Water Works by the city he has 
been Superintendent of the same. 

On the 9th of Jiiuuary, 1867, Mr. Higley was 

united in marriage with Miss Ella McElliinne\-, 

daughter of Robert McElhinney. ami unto them 

was born five children, three sons and two dangh- 

i ters, four of whom are yet living ; Mary McEl- 



PORTRAIT AND RIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



503 



liinnej-, Rohorl Mcl'',lliiiiiie\-, Helen K. and Tlieo- 
(lore. Tlie lliird cliilil, Harvey, died at the age of 
two years. T!ie dealli of tlio mollioi- oecmred 
September 8, 1886, and on th" fftli of .hiiie, 1889, 
Mr. Hiiiley wedded Mrs. Jennie C. IJonc-r, dau;4liter 
of William I)., nml Klizabetli Clapp. She was liorn 
in lUielianan Township, Jefferson County, on the 
prfsent site of llie town of Beck with. Her |)arcnts 
were pioneers of that place of 1812 .ind the history 
of their lives is given elsewhere in this work. 

In politics Mr. Higley is a Repnljlican, and so- 
cially is a member of Clinton Lodge, No. 15., A. F. 
and A. M. and of George Strong Post, No. 19, G. 
A. H. lie has proved an efficient and faithful pub- 
lic oflicer and in the discharge of his duties mani- 
fests an earnest desire to care for the city's welfare, 
sometimes regardless of his own interests. 



— v »<r " < ' 



AMl'EL PACKAVOOD is the founder of 
the village of that name. It was organized 
in the autumn of 1883, and is pleasantlj' 
situated on the Burlington & Western 
Railroad. It is a thriving place with excellent 
business facilities, and is doing a good general 
tr>ade. It contains three general stores, one hard- 
ware store, two grain elevators, one brick and tile 
factorj% two good frame churches — a Methodist 
Episcopal Church and a Christian Church — and its 
school privileges are in keeping with all its other 
advantages. The town site is located on the farm of 
Samuel Packwood, on the north half of section 14, 
Polk Township, Jefferson County, in the midst of 
as fine farming country as can be found along the 
Mississippi. A bright future seems to be awaiting 
this village, for its citizens are men of progressive 
ideas, whose energy and ability' will no doubt cause 
it to rapidly incre.ise in size and advantages. 

Samuel Packwood, as well as being one of the 
founders of the village is one of the pioneers of 
this State, the date of his locating in Des Moines 




County being 1848. From that day to the present 
he has borne his share in the upbuilding f>f the 
county's interests, and has identified himself with 
such enterpri^ies as are calculated to benefit the 
community. We therefore feel assured that his 
sketch will be received with interest by many of 
our readers. He was born in Clark County. Ind.. in 
1818, unto Samuel and Isabel ( McKinley) Pack- 
wood. His father was a native of A'irginia. and 
his mother of Kentucky, in which State their mar- 
riage was celebr.ated. He was a pioneer settler of 
both Tennessee and Kentucky, also in Indiana, 
where his death occurred in 1848. His widow 
afterward came to Iowa, where her death occurred 
in Des Moines County in 1875. Mr. Packwood 
was a Captain in the War of 1812, and his father. 
Samuel P.ackwood, Sr., served his country during 
the Revolutionary War. The Packwood family is 
of English descent, and the McKinley family is of 
Irish origin. Our subject is the first in order of 
birth in a family of four children. He was fol- 
lowed by James, who is married and now resides 
in Des Moines County, Iowa, on the farm whicli 
has been his home since 184G; .leremiali, who died 
in Des Moines County in 1864; and .Mrs. Isabel 
Gallow.ay, of California. 

Samuel Packwood spent the days of his boyhood 
»nd youth in a manner usual to farmer lads and 
such advatitages as were afforded by the district 
schools of Indiana he received. Having attained 
to man's estate in Clark County, Ind., in 1844, he 
led to the marriage altar Miss Mclinda M. Goss, 
daughter of David and Mary (Couter) Goss, who 
like their daughter were natives of Indiana, where 
they continued to make their home throughout life. 
In 1848 Mr. P.ackwood determined to make his 
home in the new State of Iowa, for he had heard 
of the opportunities it afforded new settlers, and 
desired to benefit his financial condition by a re- 
moval thereto. He chose Des Moines County as 
the scene of his labors, and while residing there 
was honored with the position of County .Super- 
visor. He supported the Democracy, and became 
an infiuential member of the |)arty in that locality. 
His removal in 1875 caused a loss to that county, 
but proved a gain to Jefferson County, of which he 
is now a valued citizen. On his arrival he pur- 



504 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



chased a partially improved farm of one hundred 
and sixty acres and began its development, but 
eighty acres of that amount he sold for llie town 
site of Packwood. He budt a commodious and 
tasty residence upon his land, and has provided it 
wilh all oilier necessary improvements. 

On the lull of March, 1890, Mr. Packwood was 
called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who 
died leaving four children — J. M. is now married 
and resides in Packwoorl; M. L. is married and 
makes bis home in Des Moines County; Mary is 
now Mrs. Smith, of Clark County, Mo.; and Sam- 
uel D., who is married, is a practicing physician 
and surgeon of Oakvillc, Iowa, having been edu- 
cated in the medical institute of Cincinnati, Ohio. 
Mrs. Packwood was a member of the Christian 
Church and a most estimable lady, who it seemed 
could ill be spared from the excellent work she was 
here doing. ^Ir. Packwood is also a consistent 
member of the Christian Church, gives liberally to 
its support and works for its interests. He is chari- 
table and benevolent, ready to extend a helping 
hand to the poor and needy, and to aid those who 
are willing to help themselves. 



■SSSsr^-- 



¥/ EVI G. MYERS, who is now engaged in 
I (?§1 farming and stock-raising on section 34, 
^ i ^v -. Polk Township, is a representative of one 
(rf the early families of Jefferson County, and has 
here made his home since his tenth year. The old 
homestead farm is still his place of residence, and 
will doubtless continue to be his abode for many 
years to come. He was the eleventh in a family of 
thirteen i;hildren, whose parents were Stephen and 
Sarah (Huffman) Myers. 'Ihey were highly re- 
spected citizens of this commiinit}' and are men- 
tioned more fully in the sketch of Richard Myers 
which appears on another page of this volume. 

Levi G. began his school life in his native 
county — Washington County. Pa., but the greater 
part of his education was acquired in the district 



schools of Iowa. He spent his boyhood days 
under the parental roof, and received such instruc- 
tion in his present business as could be obtained 
by assisting in the farm labors. Being reared to 
agricultural pursuits, it was with an excellent 
knowledge of the same that he embarked in business 
for himself at the age of twenty-one years. In 
Jefferson Count}-, in October, 1867, Mr. Myers was 
joined in wedlock with Mar}' A. Longerbone, a 
native of Ohio, and a daughter of Parker and 
Lucinda (Grist) Longerbone, who were huin in 
Ohio and Pennsylvania respectively. The year 
1865 witnessed their arrival in Jefferson County, 
Iowa, and Polk Township was the site chosen for 
their future operations. There Mr. Longerbone 
engaged in farming for a number of years, ceasing 
only when called from this life in 1889. His ex- 
cellent wife still survives him and resides on the 
homestead farm. 

Previous to his marriage, Mr. Myers had re- 
sponded to his country's call for troops, and in 
Fcbruaiy, 1864, though only eighteen years of age, 
enlisted at Abingdon in Company K, Seventh Iowa 
Infantry, for the remainder of the war. He was 
mustered into service at Davenport, and on being 
sent to the front entered at once upon active duty. 
He participated in a number of important engage- 
ments, including the battle of Fay's Ferry, Ga., the 
celebrated March with Sherman to the Sea, the 
campaigns in Carolina and the siege of Richmond. 
He also had the honor (jf marching in the Grand 
Review at Washington — the largest military pageant 
ever seen on the face of the globe — and was hon- 
orably discharged in Louisville, Kj-., in July, 
1865. 

Returning to Iowa Mr. M^-ers resumed farming, 
and by his untiring efforts and ceaseless energy 
has become one of the substantial citizens of the 
community. His farm, comprising one hundred 
and forty-eight acres, is under .-i good state of cul- 
tivation, and another source of income to him is 
the fine grades of stock which he raises. In 
February, 1883, Mr. Myers was called upon to 
mourn the loss of his wife, who died, leaving five 
children, naniel}-: OtlioB., Clara, Merta, Raymond 
and Leroy. On the 30lh of May, 1884, in Jeffer- 
son County, Mr. Myers was again inanied, his 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



505 



spconcl unicn being with Martha B. Ilinlon, who 
was born in this coniitj'. and is u (laiigiiter of 
Ezekiel and AriMia (Kamey) Ilinton. Her father 
was a native of Indiana. an<l lior mother of Ohio, 
and tiiey became residents of Jefferson County at 
a very early d.ay. Her fatiicr died in Wapello 
County some years ago, but her mother is still 
living. By this union of Mr. Myers one child has 
been born, Floyd O. 

In political afifairs, Mr. Myers takes considerut)le 
interest and casts his ballot in support of the Re- 
publican party. He has been honored with a 
number of oflicial positions, served as Assessor of 
his township for six years, was County Com- 
missioner in 1889, the following jear w.ss enumer- 
ator of his township, and is now Secretary of the 
.School Board, with which he has been connected 
some years. A friend to education, he has laboreil 
for its interests, and other objects worthy the sup- 
port of the best citizens receive his sympathy and 
hearty co-operation. Both he and his wife are 
nienil)ers of the Baptist Church, and socially he is 
a member of the Grand Army of the Republic and 
of Abingdon Lodge, No. 468, I. O. O. F. The 
days of his boyhood were here p.assed,and his man- 
hood years have been spent in this community, so 
that the citizens of Jefiferson County have had 
am (lie opportunity to see and judge his life work, 
and from the confidence and regard extended to 
him by those who have so long known him we 
infer that his career has been an honorable one, 
and this inference is ap[)rovcd by his many 
friends. 



LI SMITH, a pioneer of Jefferson County of 
ii) 1846, and a representative citizen of Fair- 
^ field, claims Ohio as the State of his nativ- 
ity. He was born in Delaware County, October 20 
1812. his parents being Samuel and Mary Smith 
both of whom were members of the Metholist Fpis- 
copal Church though the former in early life be- 
longed to the Society of Friends. The father was 



born in Loudoun County, Va., and was one of a 
family of twentvone children. His grandfather 
was a preacher of the (Quaker belief and our sub- 
ject was reared in accordance with that doctrine. 
His mother was of Fnglish and Irish descent hut 
her place of birth is not known to the writer. Sam- 
uel .Smith removed from Virginia to Delaware 
County, Ohio, in 1801, while that region was a 
part of the Northwest Territory. The Quaker hos- 
tility to the institution of slavery led to the emi- 
gration of the family from a slave State to a free 
Territory. 

When Eli Sniilli w.is seven years of age he ac- 
conii)anied his parents to Belmont County of the 
same Stiite, where he was reareil on a farm, and 
where, in 18;5t, he was married to Miss Mary .Vnn 
James, who was also reared in the faith of the So- 
ciety of Friends. Eleven children were born of 
their union but only two of the number, a son and 
daughter, grew to mature years. The daughter. 
Sidney, is the wife of Oliver Toothacher and n-- 
sides in Nebraska, while William R., married Mina 
Chillister and is living on the old home farm in 
Lockbridge Township, Jefferson Count}-. Shortly 
after his marriage, Mr. Smith remove<l with his 
family to Guernsey County, Ohio, and there made 
his home until 1846, when he emigrated to Iowa. 
He .at first settled in Lee County, tear West Point, 
but after raising one crop removed to Lockridge 
Township, Jefferson Count}-, where he was success- 
fully engaged in farming and stock-raising for 
some years. 

In November, 1849, Mr. .Smith lost his wife and 
in March. 1850, was married in that township to 
Miss Elizabeth Hickenbottom, daughter of Joseph 
and Rebecca Hickenbottom and a native of Ken- 
tucky. Her parents were born in Adair County, 
Ky.. removed thence to Morgan County, 111., in 
1828, and ten years later came to Jefferson County. 
In the spring of 18.39. they settled in Lockridge 
Township, being among theearliest pioneers of that 
region. Mr. and -Mrs. Hickenbottom were parents 
of eleven children, but only four of the number are 
residents of Jefferson Couuly. The mother w.is a 
consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church. Her death occurred in l«6l,and in 1864 
Mr. Ilickenl.otlom wedded Mrs. Dr. .\Iobhy. tlie 



506 



PORTRAIT AND 15I0GRAPII1CAL ALBUM. 



widow of one of the pioneer physicians of Jefifcr- 
son County. He was a farmer by occupation and a 
very just and uprii^lit man and in political senti- 
ment was a supporter of the Demoerncy. ilis death 
occurred in 1882 and his wife survive! him l)ut 
two years. 

Eli Sniitli, whose name heads this sketcli, con- 
tinued farming in Lockridge Township until 1879, 
when, retaining liie ownership of the farm, he re- 
tired from active work and removed to Fairficl 1 
where he has since resided. Eor a number of years 
he cast his ballot for the Republican party but dur- 
ing the last few years h.as advocated the principles 
of the Democracy. Socially, he is a Royal Arch 
Mason, belonging to Clinton Lodge No. 15. A. F. 
& A. M. and McCord Chapter, No. 5, H. A. M., 
both of Fairfield. lie still owns a fine farm of one 
liundred and sixty acres in Clark County, Iowa, 
which is operated by a tenant. Mr. Vimith has now 
been a resident of Jefferson County for fortj'-six 
vcnrs and has always been known as a man of in- 
dustrious habits, u|)righl in his business relation, and 
kind and accommodating to his neighbors; such a 
man as people respect and whose long life of use- 
fulhiess leaves the world the better for his having 
been in it. 



•^-^£ 



E^^- 




flU^ IRAM Q. SHAFFER, a pioneer .settler of 
V Van lUiren Couutj', engaged in farming on 
section 27, Lick Creek Township, has lived 
at his present lioinc since 184G, and from a 
fort^'-acre farm it h.as been increased until now 
three hundred and forty-three acres pay tribute to 
his care and cultivation. 

.\ native of Ohio, Mr. Shaffer was born in Har- 
rison County. March 21, 182G, and is a son of 
Ceorge and Margaret Shaffer. His jjaternal graud- 
fatiier, .John Shaffer, was a native of (iermany.and 
died in Van Buren County', Iowa, October 17, 1851. 
His father, George Shaffer, was born in Pennsyl- 
vania, where be grew to manhood, receivin;; a ijood 
education. He served as Lieutenant in the War <if 



1812, and was present at Commodore Perry's vic- 
tory. Leaving his native State, he removed to 
Ohio, wliere he became .acquainted with and mar- 
ried Miss Margaret .Saltzgiver, a native of Adams 
County, Pa. They began their domestic life in 
Harrison County, Ohio, where Mr. Shaffer engaged 
in farming in connection with work at his trade of 
carpentering. lu 1845, he came to the Territory 
of Towa, bringing with him his familj' and his aged 
father. Making a location in Lick Creek Town- 
ship, he entered a quarter-section of laud from tiie 
Government, whicii in consequence w.as in its 
primitive condition, not a furrow liaving been 
turiie<l or an improvement made, but he built a 
cabin thereon, and as week by week passed the 
amount of improved land grew, until at length a 
finely cultivated farm supplied the wants of his 
famil}'. Thirty years it continued to be his home, 
and he then sold out to his son, removing across 
the Des Moines River to Pittsburg, where his last 
days were spent, his death occurring on the 18th of 
.May, 1875. His good wife had died on the 16th 
of July previous. They were the parents of nine 
children, five sons and four daughters: IVIar^', 
widow of William Pickens, of Wapello Count)'; 
Hiram, of this sketch ; Henry, of Oregon; John is 
living in Kans.as; Jane, whose home is in .lackson- 
ville; .lacob and Peter, who reside in Kansas; Mrs. 
Elizabeth Bergen, of Texas; and Matilda, deceased. 
The father of this family was a faithful member 
and active worker in the Lutherau Church, in 
which he served as Elder for many years. While 
living in Ohio, he served as Justice of the Peace 
for nine years, and tilled the same ollice two terras 
in Van Buren County. He was first a Whig, and 
then a Re|iul)lican, and took an active interest in 
political affairs, l)eing an influential member of the 
county conventions. His sagacity and good judg- 
ment iiiiide him a successful business man, and an 
upright life won him the confidence of all, so that 
his word was as readily received as his bond. 

We now take u)) the personal history of our sub- 
ject, who upon his father's f.irin in Ohio w.as reared 
to manhood, and in the subscription schools of that 
da}' was educated. He had attained to mature 
years when he came to Iowa, and for some time 
after his arrival he worked as a farm hand, but in 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



r.n; 



1851 l)egan life for himself. On the 5th of May, 
1863. lie married Miss Nancy Johnson, who w.is 
born in AVestinorelniiil Couiitj', P:»., March 16, 
1835, and is a daughter of John and C'atiierine 
Johnson, wlio removed with their family from Ohio 
to Iowa in IS.'iii. Her father was a native of Ire- 
loud. She lias two brothers livinjj;, hut the other 
members of her family arc now deceased. 

After his marriage, Mr. Shaffer settled upon .i 
rented farm near Kilbourn, which he operated two 
years. During that time, by the practice of in- 
dustry and economy, he accumulated a small capi- 
tal with which he purchased fort3' acres of raw 
land. He had first to clear away the brush before 
he could erect a house, and the laml all had to be 
broken, but a short time sufficed to work a com- 
plete transformation, and in the years which have 
since come and gone, the boundaries of his farm 
have been extended until now his landed posses- 
sions aggregate tliree hundred and fort3'-three acres. 
He is also engaged quite extensivelj' in stock rais- 
ing, breeding a good grade of horses. The greater 
part of his farm products he feeds to his stock, 
which fact alone shows that his lousiness in that line 
is not very limited. 

Mr. and Mrs. Shaffer have no children of their 
own, but have reared an adopted son, Steiihen, who 
was born January 23, 1867. He has been an in- 
mate of their family since he was six weeks old, 
good educational adviintages were aflforded liim, 
and he has received all the care and attention of 
an own child. They are also rearing a girl, Kva, 
now thirteen years old. Mr. Shaffer is a progres- 
sive and enterprising citizen, and manifests an in- 
terest in all that pertains to the welfare and up- 
building of the county. The cause of education 
finds in him a special friend, and he served as 
Treasurer an<l President of the School Board until 
he would no longer accept the oHice. He cast his 
first Presidential vote for Zachary Taylor, and was 
a supporter of the Whig party until the rise of the 
Republican parly, when he joined its ranks. Forty 
years have come and gone since Mr. Shaffer's ar- 
rival in Van Buren Count3'. When he came to 
Iowa, the flourishing city of Ottumwa contained 
but two houses and a blacksmith sho|). Wild deer 
were yet plentiful, and the Indians in many locali- 



ties were far more numerous than the vNliite set- 
tiers. Although hardship and trials attended the 
cstablishiiKnt of a home in anew commuiiity. many 
of the citizens of Van Buren County to-day would 
give much for the honor of being numbered among 
its pioneers. 



\|j^^OBERT K. ROWLAND, senior partner of 
im^ the firm of Rowland Bros., general raer- 
A A\ chants, of Milton, is a native of Van Buren 
^^ County. He was born on the 5tli of De- 
cember, 1843, his parents being Samuel P. and Eliz- 
abeth (Russell) Rowland, and was reared to 
farm life receiving such educational advantages as 
were aflforded by the (common schools of tliat day. 
However, not desiring to make farming his life 
work; he turned his attention to mercantile pursuits 
and in Milton, in 1864, opened a dry-goods store. 
He has since continued in th.at line of business and 
is probably the oldest merch.aut, in years of service, 
in Milton. During the twenty-six years in which 
he has given his attention to th.it pursuit, he has 
been a.ssociated with several partners. The firm of 
Rowland Bros, was established in the fall of 1876 
and with the exception of about two years has 
carried on operations continuously- since. Tliev 
carry a general line of merchandise and have a 
large and constantly increasing patronage which re- 
sults from the excellent grade of goods which they 
carry and their courteous treatment and prompt at- 
tention to the wants of their customers. 

On the "ind of April, 1874, in Davis County, 
Iowa, Mr. Rowlantl w.as united in marri.age with 
!Miss Kannie Thayer, a native of Adams County, 
III., and a daughter of Oliver Thayer. Unto them 
were born four children, three sons and a daughter, 
but the}- have lost one son. The daughter. Xetiie, 
is the eldest, her birth having occurred March 23. 
1875; Orin, was botn October 26, 1877; Herbert 
Decenilier 30, ls7ii; and Robert died at the age 
of eight moiiih.-i. 

Mr. and Mrs. Rowland are members of the Melh- 



50* 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



odist Episcopal church and are soon to have one of 
the finest homes in Milton, which is now in process 
of ercL-tioii. lie is also tli(! owner of a farm of one 
luimlieil anil five acres in Davis Connly, which he 
has leased. In politics, Mr. Rowland is a Demo- 
crat and is an cnterprisinj^ and successful business 
man of gooil slandin";. 




NDRKW P. ANDERSON, salesman in the 
establishment of .1. A. Spielman, of Fair- 
J) field, was born in the eastern part of 
(Sjy Sweden, on the 23d of February, 184G, 

his paernts Ijeing .Tonas F. and Anna L. .^nderson, 
who were also natives of the same piat'C. His 
mother was boin August 2, 1811, and iiis fatiior 
was born November IC, 1809, and became a daj' 
laborer. Their union was blessed witii a family of 
H\e childieii, tlie two eldest of whom never left 
tliiir native land. Anna, the first-born, died in 
.Sweden, and Caroline is yet living in that counlrj-. 
The three younger children, Christina L., Hannah 
K. and Andrew P., who is llie only son, accompan- 
ied their [jarents to tlie United States. Bidding 
good-by to their old home, in 1857, they sailed 
from Guttenberg, and after eight weeks spent upon 
the briny deep dropped anchor in Boston Harbor. 
Having heard favorable reports of Iowa and the 
advantages afforded to emigrants, they continued 
their journey to this State and made a location in 
Lockridge Township, Jefferson County, where they 
continued to make their home until the death of 
Mrs. Anderson (111 tiie :.'ltli of April, 1,S7U. .Since that 
time tlie iiusbaiid has m.ade his home with his chil- 
dren. Like his wife, he is a memljer of the Lu- 
theran Cl)urch,aud is one of the respected citizens 
of tliis community. 

Andrew P. Anderson, whose name heads this 
sketcli, was the fourth in order of liirth in his fa- 
ther's family. He was a lad of eleven years when 
with his parents he became an Anieiican citizen 
He had attended school in his native land but com 
pleted his education in Jefferson County, and can 



fluently speak the German, Swedish and English 
languages. He now kee|)s himself well informed 
on all questions of iiiip(^rtance peitainiiig to the 
history of his adopteil eountrv, and is a gentleman 
whose progressive ideas make liiiii a valued citizen 
and a worthy a<1dition to the business circles of 
Fairfield. He worked at various emplo^'inents un- 
til 1872, when he entered the service of the Ketchum 
Bros, at Mt. Pleasant, with whom he remained four 
years, serving as timber boss during the last two 
years of his stay with that firm. In 1876, he en- 
gaged with J. A. .Spielman, of Fairfield, and has 
been a trusted employe in that establishment c(>n- 
tinuously since. 

The marriage of Mr. Anderson and Miss Martha 
Fer was celebrated in Fairfield, on the 4th of July, 
1877. The lady is a native of Iowa, her birth 
having occurred in Linn County, on the 3d of July, 
1850. Three children graced their union, Init 
Elizabeth, their first-born, died in infancy; Nellie 
F. and Samuel A. are at home. Mr. .\nderson is a 
Republican in political sentiment, giving his sup- 
port and influence for the success and welfare of 
that party. He is a faithful, conscientious and 
trusted employe, and to him is due in no small de- 
gree the success of the Spielman establishment. 



#^ 



ANIEL AVALMER, one of the most sub- 
stantial farmers of Jefferson County, as 
(^^ well as one of its earliest settlers and a 
resident of Fairfield Township, was born 
in Wayne County, Ohio, February 13, 1838, and is 
one of a family of thirteen children. With his par- 
ents, Jacob and Sarah (Shone) Walnier, he came to 
Jefferson (.'ounty in 1849, while an infant, and was 
brought up on a farm and educated in tlie district 
schools of the neighborhood. On the 5th of May. 
1861, almost ir..medi:;tely after the breaking oulof 
the late war, Mr. 'Walnier, prompted b}' patriotic 
impulses, enlisted as a member of Company K, 
Second Iowa Infantry, antl served three jears. He 
was captured at the battle of Shiloh, April G, 1862, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHIC A I. ALBUM. 



509 



and was kept a prisoner, mainly at Cahaba, Ala., 
for three months until paidlcd and exchanged, 
alioiit the holidays. He i)artioipated in the capture 
of l""t. Donelson, where the Second Iowa Uejri?nenl 
won great praise for its gallant conduct and where 
it sustained a heavy loss in killed and wounded. 
He also took part in the hard-fought battles of Shi- 
loh, Pittsburg Landing, Corinth, and several minor 
engagements, and was mustered out of the service 
at the expiration of the three years in Tennessee, in 
June, 18G4, and returned to his home in Jefferson 
County. Iowa. 

On the 13th of November of the same year, Mr. 
Walraer was united in marriage, in Jefferson 
Count}', to Miss M.iry E. Duncan, daughter of 
Preston and Margaret Duncan. The lad}' is a na- 
tive of Indiana, and by her marriage two children 
have been born, a son and daughter — Idft is now 
the wife of Samuel Lathers, who is engaged in 
farming in Pilack Hawk Township, Jefferson 
Count}-, and William, who died at the age of nine 
months. The death of the mother occurred on the 
13th of October, 1868, and on the 13th of March, 
1870, Mr. Walmer was again married. His present 
wife, whose maiden name was Susanna Whitson. is 
a daughter of Samuel and Caroline Whitson, and 
her birth occurred in Liberty Township, Jefferson 
County, on the 1.5th of March, 18ul. Her parents 
were among the early settlers of this county, dat- 
ing their residence from 18-t"2, and she was born, 
reared and married in the same house. Four chil- 
dren, two sons and two daughters, have been born 
of the second marriage and .are as follows; Cora 
Alice, who was born April 6, 1871 ; Jacob Hamil- 
ton, born December 15, 187'2; Sarah C., born Feb- 
ruary 6. 1875, and Charles Nelson, born October 
8, 1879. The birth of all occurred in Fairfield 
Township, Jefferson County, where the parents have 
resided since their marriage. 

Since 1871, Mr. Walmer has occujiied the old 
homestead farm of the family, which is situated 
south of tlie city on section 12, Fairfield Township, 
and which comprises one hundred and eighty acres 
of highly cultivated land, on which are found large 
and tasty farm buildings, together with many other 
excellent improvements. His post-olllce is Fair- 
field anil his home is conveniently situated about 



three miles from the city. Mr. Walmer is a Repub- 
lican in politics and belongs to George .Strong 
Post, No. 19, G. A. R. By in<lMstry and judicious 
management, combined with the able assistance of 
his estimable wife, he has prospered in the affairs 
of life and is now classed among the well-to-do 
farmers of his adopted county. His course in life 
has been marked by strict integrity and fair treat- 
ment of all with whom he has had business rela- 
tions, and has won for him the confidence and 
esteem of his fellow-citizens. Mrs. Walmer is a 
member of the Lulher:ui Church. 



- > '> %< ' < ■ 



R. SAWYER ROBINSON, deceaserl, was a 
pioneer physician of Jefferson County. The 
early history of this county would be incom- 
plete without a sketch of the Doctor, who was 
widely known throughout the community both as 
a citizen and skillful physician. He was a native 
of Ohio, born in Middletown, .January 17, 1817. 
His parents were James and Mary Robinson. Our 
subject was reared to manhood in his native State, 
and on the completion of his literary education, 
having determined to make the practice of medi- 
cine his life work, he entered the Cincinnati Medi- 
cal College, from which he was graduated in the 
class of '41. Going to Collinsville, Ohio, he en- 
tered upon the prosecution of his chosen profes- 
sion, and in that i)lace formed the acquaintance of 
Miss Leah B. Brooks. Their friendship rfpening 
into love, on the (ith of November, 1845, they 
were united in marriage and began their domestic 
life in Collinsville. The lady w.as born near Ham- 
ilton, Butler County, Ohio. June 2, I82C, and is a 
daughter of Tinley M. and KTzalx'th ((ir.iy) 
Brooks. 

In the spring of 18IG Dr. Robinson decided to 
emigrate to the West, which he believed a better 
field for young men just starting out in a profes- 
sional career. He came to Iowa and was so well 
pleased with Jefferson County and its future pros- 
pec's that he made a location in Locust Grove 



ftlO 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



Township, at wliat is now the town of Brookville. 
He lived ui)on a fanu but devoted his attention to 
the practice of raed'cine until 1851, when he w.is 
elected Clerk of the Court. After serving in that 
l)()sition for two years, he spent twelve months in 
Wapello County, whicli time sufficed to convince 
him that lie preferred Jefferson County as a loca- 
tion. On his return he engaged in practice for one 
year in Fairfield, hut in 1855 again settled in 
Brookville, where he made his home until his 
death, which occurred on the 4lh of June. 1857. 
Dr. Robinson was always ahead instead of behind 
the times, being by nature an enterprising and pro- 
gressive man. In his profession he was [lossessed 
of such skill ami aliility that he took rank among 
the foremost physicians of his time in the State, 
and w:is an honored member of both the county 
and Stale Medical societies. 

The Doctor and his wife were the parents of 
seven children, five sons and two daughters. John 
D., the eldest, born December 5, 1846, married 
Melissa Swain and is living in Clarks, Neb.; Saw- 
yer, born January 29, 1848, entered the Keokuk 
Medical College, but death ended his career on the 
2d of June, 1871. ere he had completed his course 
of study; he was a soldier. Leah M., born Au- 
gust 26, 1849, died November 30, 1850; Emmett 
L., born J.auuary 16, 1851, married Anna Harris 
and is a practicing physician of Central City, 
Neb.; Mary K., born July 9, 1852, became the wife 
of the Rev. A. J. Combs and died July 9, 1878; 
Melvin. born October 13, 1854, died April 19, 
1855; Tinley, born May 13, 1856, died June 13, 
1858. 

Dr. Robinson was a Whig in political sentiment 
until the organization of the Republican party, 
wlien. among tiie lirst, he espoused its cause. How- 
ever, he did not live to see the enforcement of the 
principles which it advocated. He was a man of 
great (innness of purpose and nothing could deter 
him from walking in that path of duly or pursuing 
any course which he believed to be right. He was 
a member of the Methodist Church, in which he 
served as Steward, and was also Superintendent of 
the .Sabb.ath School. His last work in the church 
was the erection of the line ciiurch building at 
Brookville, with which he had much to do. The 



^^ 



cause of temperance found in him a warm advocate 
and the society known as the Sons of Temperance 
numbered him amoiig its faithful members. Dr. 
Robinson is well remembered by many of the older 
settlers of Jefferson County, and this brief sketch 
of his life will be received l)y them with interest. 
His widow becamo tiie vvife of the Hon. Thomas 
Moorman, a sketch of wiiom appears elsewhere in 
this work. 



OHN Al'GL'ST, whose home is in Fairfield, 
Iowa, was born in Ilohen Soken, Sweden, 
May 8. 1832. His parents were very- poor, 
so much so that, until he was fifteen years 
of age, on special occasions he wore bis niothef's 
shoes having none of his own. As soon as he was 
large enough to perform anj' kind of service, he 
was put to work, and when he was thirteen years of 
age could accomplish as much work as a full grown 
man. He never attended school a day but at home 
he learned to read the Bible. Having decided to 
come to America he knew that he must secure the 
money needed to defray the expenses of an ocean 
voyage for himself and parents. In one year, by 
making tar and burning charcoal, he almost ac- 
quired a sum sufficient to defray the expenses. He 
worked day and night and happy indeed was he 
when, after selling all their worldly effects he 
found that he had enough to bring them to the 
''poor man's country." In 1853, they sailed for 
Quebec but on reaching that city their exchequer 
was exhausted. They were in a strange land among 
strangers \ind although it was somewhat difficult 
to make a start, in the years which have since passed 
away little adversity checked the prosperous career 
of Mr. August. From (Juebec, his parents were 
given a free pass to Chicago and he went to work 
on the caual near Montreal. In the meantime his 
parents had nothing to live on. They obtained 
shelter with another Swede family that was fixed 
but little belter than themselves, and Mr. August 
and his wife slept on the floor, faring very hard 
indeed. He worked at whatever he could get to 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAIMMCAL ALHUM. 



f>\ I 



do until he was taken sick and they would nlmost | 
have iH-rislied tiirough want of food had il n;)l 
been for two little girls beiongiiiif lo the fiuiiily 
where lliey stopped, wlio collocted from hotels or 
wlierover they could enough to sustain them until 
Mr. August was again able to work. After he had 
been employed about eighteen days upon tlie 
canal, his son John joined him and relieved their 
necessities. Soon afterward the father died, being 
then sixtj^-two years of age. His widow spent lier 
remaining days with her faithful son, l)eiug sur- 
rounded in her declining years witii all the com- 
forts which his loving care could provide, and 
passed away in her seventy-third year. 

Our su1)ject left Chicago to work on the Illinois 
Central Railroad, and after having labored there 
through the autumn and a part of the winter his 
employer ran aw.a^- owing him some §200. Wlien 
spring came he had neither money nor clothes. 
Going to Stillwater, Wis., he hired on a raft and 
floated down the INIississippi to Keokuk, where the 
raft was sold. His future history is connected with 
that of Iowa. Going to Burlington he worked in 
the harvest field for a time but was soon taken sick 
with ague and had to spend all that he had accum- 
ulated. After chopping wood on the island below 
Burlington for a few months, he iiired out to work 
in a stone quarry for $13 per month and continued 
that occupation for three years, his wages being 
advanced in the meantime to §25 per month. The 
year 1858 proved to be an eventful one in his his- 
tory as it witnessed his arrival in Jefferson County, 
where by the exercise of industry, good manage- 
ment and business ability he has acquired a com- ' 
fortable competenc}'. On his arrival here he pur- 
chased forty acres of brush land and ten acres of 
worthless timber in Buchanan Township for §380, 
paying ^100 down and giving twenty per cent for , 
the use of the remainder. By unceasing toil, per- 
severance and energy he was enabled to add to his 
possessions until he is now tlie owner of four hun- 
dred and ten acres of good lanii, together with 
some property in Kairfield. 

On the 22d of September, 18.")8, in the home of 
Ward Lamson, Mr. August and Matilda Ssmelson 
were united in marriage. The lady was horn in 
Kisa County. Sweden. April 12, 1835, and when [ 



eighteen years of age came to this country with a 
Swedish family for whom she was to work to pay 
her pa^^sage. After liis marriage, Mr. Auguslscttled 
upon the farm which he hail purchased and as soon 
.IS hc;itid Ills Wife had gained a sufficient surplus, 
they sent for her parents to come and spend their 
last d.ays with them. Eight children were born 
unto them, of whom three were deaf mutes. One 
of the three and also three others died in child- 
li(;od. The living are Emma E., wife of Christian 
Johnson; Albert A.; Alfrida A., wife of Frank 
Eundguist; and Ibuui.ah E. Both Mr. August and 
his wife are Lutherans and in politics, he is a Re- 
publican. The life of Mr. August has been thus 
minutelv detailed that some idea may be gotten of 
the hardships through which the early foreign 
emigrants had to pass ami also to show how he, 
without mone}', friends or education, has won a 
place in the frojit ranks of the farmers of Buchanan 
Township. Many of his characteristics are worthy 
of emulation and his record is one of which he 
may well be proud. 



^^i4?t^5S:5^^^«=-^ 



^ONAII GLOVER, who carries on farming 
and stock-raising on section 34, Farming- 
ton Township, Van Buren County, was born 
in Orange County. Ind., March 11. 1821, 
;ind is a son of Stephen and .Sarah (Kirkhan) 
Glover, both of whom were natives of Kentucky, 
where their marriage was celebrated. About 1810 
they removed to Indiana, which at that time was a 
wild and unsettled region where the red men were 
numerous and game was plentiful. The father 
died in the prime of life in that State, and the 
mother died in this county in her eighty-ninth 
year. She was a member of the Baptist Church 
for fifty-five years and a lady whose life w.is most 
exemplary. In the family were nine children, 
eight of whom reached mature years and were mar- 
ried, while four are yet living, namely — Mrs. Jane 
Archer. .Mrs. Ilulda Ciise. Jonah and Newton. 
Our subject is of English descent on the pater- 



.*) 1 1 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



iijil sidi-. iiiiil nil ilii- uiiiLernal side is of Irish ex- 
lifii-lion. His boyliood days wete spent amid the 
forests of liuliana.'and in the old log sclioolhousc 
with its punche in floor, slab seats and huge fire- 
place, he familiarized himself with the three R's. 
lie used to make wooden mold-boards for the plows, 
and likea dutiful son remained at home until he was 
about twenty- four years of age. In Washington 
County, Ind., he marrieil February 29, 1844, 
Amanda Mitchell, who was born in that county. 
Their union was blessed witli two children — Rob- 
ert E., now a physician of Corning, Iowa, and 
Benjamin F., a farmer of >Scotland County, Mo. 

In 1845, Mr. Glover removed with his family to 
Jasper County, Ind., where in 1852 his wife died. 
He was again married March 17, 1853, to Elizabeth 
Mack, a native of Fayette County, Pa., born No- 
vember 7, .1829, and a daughter of James and 
Catherine (Grawl) Mack, both of whom were na- 
tives of Pennsylvania. Th'ey emigrated to Ohio 
in 1833, and four years later became residents of 
Jivsper County, Ind. The father died at the age 
of seventy six years, but his wife reached the 
advanced age of eighty. After his marriage, Mr. 
Glover continued his residence in Indiana until 
1855, when he removed to Crawford County, Wis., 
where the succeeding nine years of his life were 
spent. It was in 1864 that he settled in Van Bu- 
ren County. Farming has been his life work, and 
he is now the owner of two hundred and twenty 
acres of nearly all arable land, highly improved 
ami cultivated. He raises some fine stock, includ- 
ing thoroughbred Merino sheep, and is the owner 
of the largest Percheron horse in this part of the 
Stale, his weight being 2020 pounds. When Jlr. 
Glover started out in life for himself in Northern 
Indiana he had no capital, but rented land until he 
had saved $100, with which he made a partial pay- 
ment on an eighty-acre farm. He lived in a pole 
cabin and was his own cabinet-maker, but by hard 
work and good management he rose from the rp.nks 
and is now accounted one of the leading and sub- 
stantial farmers of his township. Fair and honest 
dealing, strict adherence to correct business prin- 
ciples and a determined will have won him his 
success, and at the same time secured to him the 
confidence and regard of those with whom he has' 



come in contact. Politically he was a Whig until 
the organization of the Republican party, since 
which time he has supported the principles of that 
body. In religious belief he is a Baptist, but his 
wife is a jNIethodist, and his first wife was a mem- 
ber of the Christian Church. 

The four children born unto Jonah and Elizabeth 
Glover are Waldo E., who is living in Washington; 
VA\2l A., at home; Truman J., assistant in the Chief 
Engineer's office of the War Department; and New- 
ton L., telegraph operator. The family was repre- 
sented in the late war by Roljert E., who enlisted 
at the age of seventeen and served three years in 
the Thirty-third Wisconsin Infantry; and Benja- 
min F., who in his sixteenth year entered the Six- 
tieth Illinois Regiment and served a year and a 
half. Though not a pioneer settler, Mr. Glover is 
a valuable citizen, and deserves a front rank among 
the representative mtn of this county. 



¥ OHN A. ROBINSON of Keosauqiia, has been 
a resident of Van Buren County, since 1850, 
and is widely and favorably known in the 
(®// community where he makes his home. He 
is a native of Pennsjdvania, born in Lancaster 
County, June 4. 1832, and is a son of James B. 
Robinson. When a young man he learned the 
trade of blacksmithing in the Ke3'stone State. In 
1850, he resolved to seek his fortune in the West 
and came to the new State of Iowa. He chose 
Winchester as the scene of his labors and at that 
place carried on blacksmithing until 1871, when he 
removed to Keosauqua, where he still resides, con- 
tinuing the business which has been his life work. 

In Winchester, in 1855, Mr. Robinson was uni- 
ted in marriage with Miss Ella J. Smith, daughter 
of Asa Smith. She is a native of Tennessee, her 
birth having occurred near Nashville in 1835. 
When a maiden of fifteen summers she came to 
Iowa, locating to Van Buren County, where she 
formed the acquaintance of Mr. Robinson. Throe 
children have been born of their union, of whom 




ROBERT PRALL, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



.') 1 .') 



two aro yet living — .Taiiics 11., linin Decpiiihcr 2. 
1855, in W'iiu'lu'Ster, is :\ furiiitiiiL' (loalor of Mil- 
ton, and his skclc'li is givon on anotiicr [lage of this 
woric; Nellie F., the (iiuigliter, is a teac'licr of con- 
siderable ability, now cinployeil in the schools of 
Keosaiiqna. The third child, Arthur, died at the 
age of two years. 

Mr. Robinson and his wife avo faithful members 
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, to which their 
daughter also belongs. This worthy couple alsf) 
reared an adopted daughter, Mary Uird Robinson, 
who engaged in the profession of teaching. She 
was a j'oung lady of intelligence and possessing 
many excellencies of character, but her death oc- 
eurreil at the age of nineteen years. Our subject 
and his wife, who for forty years have been num- 
bered among Van Bnren County's citizens, are 
highly respected in the community where they re- 
side and their friends are many. 






Wp^j OBERT PRALL, who is engaged in farming 
jlWi and stc>ck-raising on section 23, Des Moines 
liti \V Township, Van Buren County, was born 
A© in Muskingum Count}-, Ohio, August 7, 
1832, and is of German, Irish and English descent. 
The founder of the Prall family in America was 
the grandfather of our subject, Thomas Prall, a 
gentleman of German birth who left his native 
land and emigrated to America in the early part of 
the eighteenth century. His son, Asa, father of 
our subject, was born in Pennsylvania where he 
grew to manliood and in 1828, wed<led Asenath 
Botkin, also a native of the Keystone State. Her 
parents were Robert and Sarah Botkin, the former 
a native of Ireland and the latter of England. 
They came to America during Colonial days and 
settled in (ireene County-, Pa., where they continued 
to make their home until called from this life. For 
two years after his marriage Mr. Prall and his wife 
continued in Penns\ Ivaiiia but the year 1830 wit- 
nessed their removal to Ohio. He was a farmer 



by oecupatidii ;iiid fcilhuvi-iUhiit pursuit in Morgan 
County until 1842, when accompanied by wife and 
children he went to Clark County, Ind. Ten years 
were thfcre spent and in the winter of 1852 he went 
to \'an Huren County, Iowa, where he purchased 
a partially improved farm. At once beginning 
the work of improvement he soon had a com- 
fortable home, which continued to be his shelter 
from the storms of life until 1880, when he was 
culled to his final rest. His wife who had |iroved 
to him a true helpmate, survived her husband some 
six years. Their family once numbered ten chil- 
dren, of whom the following are now living — 
Thomas, who is married and resides in Des Moines 
Township, \'an Buren County; Robert, of this 
sketch; Cornelius, who is married and makes his 
home in Coles County, 111.; Mrs. Sarah Bradford, 
of Schuyler County, Mo.; Mrs. Matilda Fowler, of 
Harper County, Kan.; and C. C. who is married and 
living in Ringgold County. Iowa. 

In the usual manner of farmer lads our subject 
spent thed.ays of his boyhood and youth.and in the 
common schools of Ohio and Indiana he acquired 
his education. On attaining to mature years, he 
left the parental roof and began life for himself. 
Farming has been his chief occupation and Ins suc- 
cess has proved that his choice of labor wiis a wise 
one. His first purchase of lancl consisted of a one 
hundred and sixty-acre tract of timber but lie 
cleared aw.ay the trees and brush, plowed the broad 
acres, planted crops and soon had a fine farm, the 
the value of which he also greatly increased b\- the 
erection of a commodious residence and goo(l 
barns. As time passed ami his tiiiancial resources 
were increased, he also extended the boundaries of 
his land, his possessions now aggregating three hun- 
dred and eighty acres, part of which is under a high 
state of cultivation, while the remainder affords 
excellent pasturage to the fine stock which he 
raises in considerable numbers. Mr. Prall is prac- 
tically a self-made man, having acquired his pos- 
sessions by industry, energy and good management, 
which in almost every instance will bring about 
success. 

In Van Buren County, October II, 185-», -Mr. 
Prall led to the marriage altar Miss Aliza Single- 
ton, a native of Ohio, born October 25, 1831. and 



516 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



came to this fouiity "iili her grand-parents in 
18:iG. and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. .Singleton, 
l)()th of whom died in Ohio some years ago. To 
lliis union have Ix'un horn four ciiiklren — Asa Wil- 
liam, who is married and resides in liona|)arte, 
Iowa; Frances, now Mrs. Craig, of Des Moines 
Township, Van Buren County; Carrie and Delia 
at home. Mr. Prall manifests considerable interest 
in political affairs and casts his ballot with tlie Re- 
publican parly. He held the office of Township 
Trustee, serving willi credit to himself and satisfac- 
tion to all concerned. 






-S^^, 

^)^^ 



■^ OSEl'H HLAKELEY, who resides on section 
31, Buch.anan Township, is an extensive 
landowner of Jeflferson County, having six 
hundred and fifty acres of land lying in three 
townships, which p.iy to him a golden tribute for 
his care and cultivation, and his prosperity is all 
the more deserved when we know that he has made 
his own way in the world, steadily i)nshing forward 
from a humble position to one of wealth and althi- 
ence. He was born in Butler County, Pa., Decem- 
ber 27, 1824. and is a son of Levvis and Jane 
(McCallister) Blakeley. The family is of German 
origin and the progenitor in America was Lewis 
Blakeley. the great-grandfather of our subject, who 
at an early day in American history braved the 
dangers of an ocean voyage to make a home in the 
New World and settled in Cliester County, l^a. He 
married Jane Nearis, who was of Irish birth. Her 
father died in the old country, after which her 
mother was again married. The step-father came 
to America and later sent for the mother and Jane 
to" join him in his new home, but his wife died on 
the ocean. The daughter continued on her way to 
Pennsylvania, but never found any trace of her 
step- father. She was sold to a man to pay for her 
pass.age, and in the employ of the same gentleman 
was Lewis Blakeley, who fell in love with the 
young Irish lass and married her. Unto them, on 
the 21st of September, 17G7, in Pennsylvania, was 



born a son, Joseph Blakeley, who became an expert 
weaver. Having attained to mature years, he mar- 
ried Sarah Ilarvej^ a Scotch lady, born May 15, 
1768. He was one of the first tavern-keepers of 
Washington, Pa., and was there living at the time 
of the Whisky Insurrection, which arose largely 
from the heav}' taxation which was placed upon 
that commodity, which was about the oidy article 
they could pack over the mountains and get money 
fbr. Afterwards Mr. Blakeley removed with Uis 
famiU' to Butler Count}', Pa., where his wife died 
in 1830, and he in 1841. 

Their third child in a family of eight children, 
Lewis Blakeley, was born on the 28th of May, 
1794, in the Kej'stone Slate, and in his youth was 
inured to hard labor. On the 3 1st of August, 1815, 
he married Miss McCallister, who was born in 
Pennsylrania March 7, 1796. Her father, Archi- 
bald McCallister, who was born in 1759, in Ireland, 
was a well-educated man who engaged in the pro- 
fession of teaching for a livelihood. He married 
Hannah Blakeley, who was born on the 24th of 
Februar}', 1770. His death occurred February 24, 
1825, and she was called to her final rest January 19, 
1847. Upon the marriage of the parents of our 
subject they settled upon a farm in Butler County, 
Pa., where they spent the remainder of their lives 
engaged in the useful and honorable pursuit of till- 
ing the soil. They reared a family of twelve chil- 
dren, eleven sons and one daughter, nine of whom 
are j'ct living. Both were members of the Coven- 
anter Church and in the community where they 
lived they ranked among the highly respected citi- 
zens. The death of Mr. Blakeley occurred Septem- 
ber 3, 1845, but it was not until man}- years 
afterward that his widow passed aw.iy, her death 
occurring June 15, 1882. 

The subject of this sketch was the fifth chihl in 
his fatlier's family and is the only one now a resi- 
dent of Iowa. He received a common-school edu- 
cation, and on reaching manhood began life for 
himself by working in a sawmill. Later he turned 
his attention to farming, which has been his chief 
occupation in later years and which now engrosses 
his attention. He chose as a companion on life's 
journey Miss Margaret Harris, who was born in 
Butler County, Pa., March 30, 1830, and is a 



4 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAIMIICAL ALI'.^^r. 



.17 



daughter of William and Margaret (Evans) Harris. 
When a young man her father removed from Vir- 
ginia to Pennsylvania, where he married Miss 
Evans, a lady of Welsh descent. Ten children were 
born unto Ihem, six sons and four daugiiters, Imt 
the wife of our subject is llu; onl}- ofie whoso iiome 
is in Iowa. Tiie marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Hlake- 
ley was celebrated on the 28th of June, 1848. in 
Ikiller County, Pa., where lliey at once began their 
domestic life, remaining in the neighborhood for 
some two j^ears. It was the desire of the husband 
to try his fortune in the new State of Iowa and lo 
this end he spent the winter of 185(1-51 in Arkan- 
sas, engaged in ciiopping wood, whereliy he pro- 
cured the money to bring himself and family to 
Fairfield. The 10th of May, 1851, saw the realiza- 
tion of bis hopes. A struggle with poverty then 
began but triumph awaited him in the end. On his 
arrival in Iowa he had not a clinir or table with 
which to furnish his house and in addition he was 
not free from indebtedness. When company came 
the door was taken from its hinges and used as a 
table, and for other necessaries like conveniences 
were resorted to. Truly necessity is the mother 
of invention, and what their limited store could 
not supply their fertile brains provided. To sup- 
\)\y the wants of liis family, Mr. Blakeley began 
work in a brickyard, lie also aided in the erec- 
tion of the second steam sawmill in the county, 
which turned out much of the lumber used in ths 
construction of the first houses. Subsequently he 
purchased an interest in a wagon shop, picked up 
the trade and for seven j-ears did a good business 
in that line, after which, having accumulated some 
copital he purchased one hundred and sixty acres 
of land and began tlie development of a farm. Not 
a furrow had been turned or an im|)rovement made 
but clearing away the brush he plowed tiio land 
and soon abundant harvests were gathered as the 
result of his persistent efforts. In 18G1. Mr. Blake- 
ley returned to the East, locating in Oil City, Pa., 
where he carried on his trade of wagon-making for 
a yeir, returning to his Iowa farm in 1862. 

The Civil War was then in [)rogress and, although 
he himself did not enter the service, his family was 
well represented, five of his brothers entering the 
ranks. Archibald served as Colonel of the Seventy- 



eighth Pennsylvaniii InlMi.iry ; William was Culom-l 
of the I'Vurteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry, and 
Thomas was Post Hospital Steward of the Seventy- 
eighth Pennsylvania Infantry. The other two 
brothers were j rivates and did as effective service 
for their country as the three mentioned .although in 
a less conspicuous way — Harvey dying .at Atlanta, 
Ga., while en route with Gen. Sherman while mak- 
ing his famous march, and the other four were all 
spared to get home. 

The sun of prosperity has shone upon the path- 
way of Joseph Blakeley and crowned his efforts 
with success, yet at times his sky has been dark- 
ened by clouds of .a'lver.*ity. The reward of in- 
dustry, perseverance and good management has, 
however, made him a comparatively wealthy man. 
He is a Republican in politics and as a citizen is 
true to every trust reposed in him. 

By the union of Mr. and Mrs. Blakeley eight 
children were born, but the eldcst,William H., died 
when about two years of age ; Margaret Jane is now 
the ^yife of Henry McKinney, of Clark County, 
Mo.; Elizabeth E. is at home; Oscar C. married 
Clara Turnham and is engaged in farming in Jt ff- 
erson County, as is also his brother — John E., whu 
married Oregon JI.Rced ; Josie II. is at home; James 
M. is a resident farmer of Jefferson County; George 
W. is still under the parental roof. 



•^^ 



^^ 



[^ SAAC IIALSTEAD,one of the prominent farm- 
ers and stock-raisers of Jackson Township, 
came to \'an Buren County, in 18G2, but since 
1847 has made his home in the State, having prev- 
iously resided in Franklin and Keokuk. He has 
taken an active part in the growth of the county 
anil to the extent of his ability and resources has 
assisted in its development and progress. 

The Ilalsteafl family is of tierman origin and 
was founded in America during Colonial days by 
ancestry who settled in New York, where the father 
of our subject, Timoth}- Halstead, was born in 
IT'.iy. His boyhood days were passed in New 



518 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



York, but before be had arrirefl at years of ina- 
liirity be went to Ohio, where he married, in 1820, 
Miss Hester Tiinmons, a native of Maryland, in 
wbicli State her parents. Ephraira and Mary Tiin- 
mons. were also born. They were parents of fonr 
children as follows: Mary Ann, deceased wife of 
Richard Masscy; Martha, wife of Isaiah Preston, of 
Uavis County, Iowa; Isaac of this sketch, and 
Timothy J. who is also living in Davis County. 

Our subject was born on the 18th of March, 
1826, and his birthplace was in Ross County, Ohio, 
where under the parental roof the days of his child- 
hood were spent. He accompanietl the family on 
their emigration to Franklin, Iowa, and in Keokuk, 
he learned the trade of a brickmasou, which he 
there followed until 1857. Removing in that year 
to Edina, Mo., he engaged as a contractor and 
liuilder. erecting some of the principal business 
blocks of that city, including the Bryant & Con- 
nelly two story brick block and Col. Pratt's build- 
ing, which was two stories in height with a base- 
ment. He was also the architect of a large number 
of fine brick dwellings in the city and county, but 
after successfully carrying on business for five 
years in Edina, be returned to Iowa and began 
farming in Van Buren Count}'. He traded for his 
first eighty acres of land and to that amount has 
added until he now owns two hundred acres of 
choice land, forty of which is timber, while the 
quarter section is divided into rich and fertile 
fields which yield a golden tribute for the care and 
cultivation he bestows upon them. The value of 
the farm has also been greatly increased by the 
erection of a comfortable residence, a large barn, 
shed, etc. and the whole is surrounded by beautiful 
shade trees of his own planting. Mr. Halstead, by 
fair dealing and just treatment has won a place in 
the eiteera of bis fellow townsmen and ranks among 
the representative citizens of the county. To have 
won the success which has crowned his business 
efforts he must have applied himself assiduously to 
his woik, j'ethe has found time to encourage and 
aid all laudable cntcrprisjBS. In politics, he is a 
supporter of Republican principles and has held a 
number of local offices. 

In 18.56, Mr. Halstead formed a mntrimonial alli- 
ance with Caroline Young, then a resident of Bon- 



aparte Township, Van Buren Countj'. Her birth, 
however, occurred in New Jersey, September 7, 
1829, and her' parents were Benjamin and Marj- 
(Fangboner) Young, natives of the same State. 
Unto themihave been born four children but they 
had the misfortune to lose their eldest son and 
second child, George"W. Amanda is now the wife 
of'"Caleb Tufts; Benjamin F., twin brother of 
George, is at home, and Ella is the wife of Theo- 
dore McMillen. 



i rniH E 




EORGE HUMPHREY, deceased,is numbered 
among the pioneer settlers of Van Buren 
County, Iowa. He was born in Ohio, about 
the year 1826, and was a son of David and Marj' 
(Smith) Humphrey, the former a native of Virginia 
and the latter of the Buckeye State. The family 
came to this county in 1832, our subject being then 
a lad of six summers. He was reared to manhood 
amid the wild scenes of frontier life and in conse- 
quence his educational advantages were limited. 

Having attained to mature years, Mr. Humphrey 
was united in marriage with Miss Mary Sheets. 
Their marriage was celebrated in Van Buren 
County, and unto them were born three children, 
but two died in infancy. Benjamin F., who was 
born July 3, 1854, in Illinois, is the only surviving 
child of that marriage. He is now engaged in busi- 
ness in Milton. 

Mr. Humphrey was a farmer by occupation and 
followed that business throughout his entire life. 
He continued the cultivation of his farm in Des 
Moines Township until about 1853, when he re- 
moved to Illinois, where he continued to reside 
until 1856. Again coming to Van Buren County, 
he located upon a farm in Des Moines Township, 
where he continued to reside until called from this 
life. His wife died in 1858, and in 1861, he was 
again married, his second union being with Miss 
Nancy Lewis. In the fall of that year, while riding 
in Northern Missouri, Mr. Humphrey was caught 
and shot by guerrillas near Mt. Sterling, and after 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



.■) 1 ;» 




his tleat'ii a son was born unto Mrs. llmnplirey, 
George, who went West, was niairied in Oregon 
and is now living in Tliompson Falls, Mont. Mr. 
Huinphre}' was a Republican in politics and a 
valued citizen whose loss was fell lliron<;hout the 
entire coraraunity. He had been identitie<l with 
the growth and progress of the county in its earlier 
da3's, had done what he could for its advancement 
and in both public and private life had so conducted 
himself that he won the respect of all with whom 
he came in contact. ISIrs. Humphrey still survives 
her husband and is living in Thompson Falls, Mont. 



^-^.^^>§^^^ 



^JUSTAV A. SMITHBURG, who served his 
adopted country faithfully during the late 
war and is now a progressive farmer of 
Lo<,'kridge Township, Jefferson County, residing on 
section 21, is of Swedish birth, his (jarents being 
Peter and Annie Smithburg. His father, also a 
native of Sweden, learned the trade of a copper- 
smith in his jouth and carried on that business in 
connection with farming. The lady whom he mar- 
ried was a widow and by her former union had two 
children. A family of six ciiildren was born of her 
second marriage, as follows: Inga Peck, now living 
in Blakesburg, Iowa; Charles, deceased; Sophia, i 
widow of O. Gunderson, of Portland, Ore.; David, \ 
who served as Corporal of Company M, Fourth 
Iowa Cavalry, died soon after the close of the war 
from wounds received while in the service; Gustav 
A. is the next younger: and Bertlia, wife of Lewis 
Jlendenhall, of Fairfield, comi)letes the family. 

In 1848, through the instrumentality of Peter 
Cassel, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this 
work, a colon}' of Swedish emigrants was formed, 
among which was the family of Mr. Smithburg. 
The party crossed the ocean together and all sought 
homes in this vicinity. Mr. Sniithlnirg purchased 
one hundred and sixty acres of land, the present 
farm of our subject, but at that time only thirty 
acres had been cleared while a log cabin constituted 
the entire improvements. He arrived with his 



f,araily in August and two weeks later while cross- 
ing Brush Creek with a yoke of cattle, to get lum- 
ber for repairing his house, he was drowned. The 
mother kept her family together and with the 
aid of her sons, improved the farm. Some ten 
years later she mairied Philip Anderson and her 
death occurred in 1870. Mr. Smithburg was a 
member of the Lutheran Church as was also his 
wife for many years, but in later life she united 
with the Methodist Episcopal Church. 

Our subject was a lad of six summers when as a 
member of the Swedish colony before mentioned, 
he crossed the broad Atlantic and became a resi- 
dent of Jefferson County. He was reared to man- 
hood on the farm which is yet his home and in 
his. youth acquired a common school education and 
shared in the didicult task of developing from the 
wild land a productive farm. He was only nine- 
teen years of age when the Civil War broke out, 
but anxious to strike a blow against the rebellion, 
he responded to the President's call f jr troops and 
on the 25th of November, 1861, became a member 
of the Fourth Iowa Cavalry, in which he served 
three years and ten months. During the winter of 
1861-62, the regiment remained at .Mt. Pleasant, 
but the following spring was sent to the front and 
during the period in which he wore the blue he saw 
service in Missouri. Arkansas, Mississippi, Georgia. 
Alabama, Louisiana and Kentucky. He i)artici- 
pated in the battles of Arkansas Post, Vicksburg, 
Jackson, Miss., and the Guntown raid, was in the 
battle of Tupelo and followed Price on his raid 
through Missouri. The regiment once travele<l 
one hundred and twenty-four miles in thirty-six « 
hours and made three charges. He continued with 
his command until the war was over, when he was 
honorably discharged as a loyal soldier and faithful 
adhtrcnt of the I'nion cause. 

The year succeeding his return from the field, 
Mr. Smithburg spent in Galesburg, 111., after which 
he returned to Iowa, and made a location on his 
present farm which has now been his home for 
twenlj'-tliree consecutive years. On the 20lh of 
December, 1868, he married Miss Christina Ander- 
son and unto them have been born eight children. 
The two eldest are deceased, those living are: El- 
mer M., and Elma, twins, born October 17, 1874; 



520 



PORTRAIT AND HIOGRAI'IIICAI. ALUU.M. 



Bertha, January 29, 1878; Ralph, October 25, 1882; 
Walter, March 12. 1H.S4; Mitinie, June 21, 1887. 
Mrs. .Stnitlibui-f^ is a mcniljcr of the Methodist Epis- 
copal Church and a most estimable lady. Her 
husband aUhougli not hojilin.-i membersliip is gen- 
erous with his niean.s in .'support of the einirch and 
gives liberally for all charitable and benevolent 
interests. As a business man, he is successful, hav- 
ing by industry and enterprise gained a comfortable 
competency and by fair and honest dealing secured 
the confidence and regard of all with whom he has 
come in contact. His farm comprises one hundred 
and sixty acres of highly cultivated land, which is 
furnished with good gr.ades of stock and all neces- 
sary improvements. His barns and onlbuildiiigs 
are such as should be seen on a model farm of the 
nineteenth century, and his home is an elegant and 
commodious residence, tastefully furni.shed. . JMr. 
Smilhbnrg cast his first vote when only nineteen 
years of age for President Lincoln, and has since 
been a stanch supporter of the Ke|niblican parly. 
He has frequently represented his township in the' 
connty conventions, and for two or three terms 
served as Township Trustee. An honored veteran 
of the late war, a representative farmer and valued 
citizen, are teims which aptly describe the gentle- 
man whose name heads this sketch. 



^)i<^:]^i'Ci 



'S^4\0BERT E. MEKK, a representative t)f that 
\]^/' pioneer family which is so well and favor- 
^\ ably known throughout the county, and a 
^^ son of Robert and Abigail P. Meek, was 
born in Bonaparte, on the 21st of January, 18GI. 
He was educated in the schools of his native town 
and with a desire to increase hisstore of knowledge 
subsequently spent three years in the Central Iowa 
University, of Pella. After completing his educa- 
tion he entered upon his business career as an em- 
ploye in the Bonaparte woolen mills, where he 
remained some six or seven years, being engaged a 
part of the time as shipping clerk and the re- 
mainder as book-keeper. In Febru.-iry. 1888, he 



purchased the interest of Mr. Christy in the mer- 
cantile firm of Christy & McDonald and the new- 
firm asfvumed the title of McDoiuild & Meek, under 
which they still continue to do business. They 
carr^' a good stock of drygoods and clothing, have 
one of the most tastefully kept establishments in 
town and receive a liberal patronage. 

It was in Bonaparte, on the 25th of February, 
1885, that Mr. Meek led to the marriage altar Miss 
Maggie C. Cresap, a daughter of Michael and Sarah 
Cresap, who are numbered among the early and 
highly esteemed settlers of this county, of which Mrs. 
Meek is a native. The young couple have spent their 
lives in Van Burcn County and are known to a 
wide circle of friends. Their hospitable home is a 
favorite resort of the young people who are sure to 
receive a warm welcome. Mr. Meek, in polities, 
marches with his worthy ancestors, being a stanch 
Democrat. 



^^ 




ILLIA.M R. PARKER, a representative of 
r^jii one of the pioneer families of \'an Burcu 
W^ County, residing in Uirmingham, was born 
in Keosauqua, August 12, 1852. his parents being 
George and Hannah C. (Calhoun) Parker. His 
father, a native of Lewis County, W. ^'a., was horn 
December 22, 1814, and having remained under 
the p.arental roof until 18.35. he went to Illinois, 
where he remained some time. Eleven years later, 
he made his apjjearance in A'an Buren County, 
Iowa. He was without capital, yet by splilling 
rails, digging wells, etc., hesucceeded in accinnulat- 
ing a small sum, with which he began merchandis- 
ing in a log store in Birmingham. Business at 
that time was done in a verj' primitive w.ay. The 
l)roposea purchase of a barrel of molasses would be 
announced before hand and on its arrival all would 
be there with their jugs, waiting to be supplied. 
He continued in business until the war and in that 
wiy became widely known throughout the com- 
munity. Ill 1851-52, he was County Treasurer and 
during his term of office lived in Keosauqua. He 
helped hew the lf>gs for the fiist county jail and in 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHIGAL ALBUM. 



521 



other waj's was connected witli the early history of 
the community. Mr. I'arkcr was married on tlie 
23il of December, 1847. and from tiiat time luitil 
his death devoted liimself to iiis family and the 
advancement of tiieir interests. His wife was Ijorn 
December 25, 1&25, and like her husband whs an 
active and faithful member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, to which the}- also made liberal 
contributions in money. His beneficence however 
did not extend to the church alone, but also to tlie 
poor and afflicted. He died in June, 1888. Thus 
another pioneer, whose life was a blessing to all 
with whom he came in contact, passed away. His 
wife still survives him. In their family were five 
children, but only two of the number are now liv- 
ing — William R. and .Tesse F. 

The subject of this sketch has spent his entire 
life in Van Buren County, and was educated at the 
Birmingham schools and at Bailey's Commercial 
College, from which he graduated. At the age of 
eighteen years he began life for himself and since 
Iha*. time has been dependent upon his own 
resources. He was then quite young for such an 
underlKking, but he purchased the Birmingham 
Enterprise and after running it alone for six months 
he took as a partner C. L. iSheward. Together 
they operated the paper successfully for twelve 
years, at the end of which time, on account of 
failing health, Mr. Parker sold out to his partner. 
Having disposed of his interest in business, betook 
a trip to California where be spent the wintei'. 
Sliortly after his return he went to Pennsylvania, 
where for a paper published in Beaver Falls, he 
acted as city solicitor until he was taken sick and 
brought home. 

On the 10th of .June. 1877. in Birmingham. .Mr. 
Parker was joined in wedlock with Miss Mar^' J. 
Randall, a native of Illinois, and a daughter of 
Capt. William Randall, who was killed in the war. 
She belongs to the Methodist Kpiscopal Church 
and is the leading milliner of Birmingham, having 
carried on a store for four years. Her exquisite 
taste which is an important factor in the selection 
of goods, together with her pleasant and affable 
manner, makes lier a favorite with the ladies and 
has brought her an excellent trade. 

In political sentiment. Mr. Parker is a Reinibli- 



can. He is engaged in mercantile pursuits being 
senior member of the firm of Parker and Cramer, 
who carry a large stock of general merchandise, 
and is also interested in the dairy business, having 
engaged in that pursuit, in company with his 
br<Hher since the spring of 18!)0. They own sixty 
head of cows which are pastured upon their four 
hundred and thirty-five acre farm. As a (ili/cii, 
he cheerfully performs every duty devolving upon 
him an<l as a business man of e .Icrprise. as well as 
a representative of one of the pioneer families of 
the community, he is deserving a representation in 
this volume. 



,s^-sm^^^ 




ENRY M. DY.'-iART, editor and proprietor 
of the Milton Herald, was born near Farm- 
l\,^ iugton, Marshall County, Tenn., November 
19, 1841, and is the son of Milton H. and 
Harriet C. (Neill) Dysart, who were also natives 
of the same State. His education was acquireil in 
a subscription school which was taught alternately 
by his father and mother, this being the only means 
of education, as the common school system was 
not then in operation in that part of the State. 
His parents seeing the inevitable conflict with 
slavery approaching, determineil to remove to a 
free State, constquenti}-, at considerable financial 
sacrifice they removed to Iowa, arriving at their 
destination — Troy, Davis County — on the LIth of 
April, 1854. Henry M. was reared on the farm 
and attended the Troy Academy until November 
12, I860, after which he taught a winter's term of 
school. Although his early life was spent in n 
slave State he opi)osed that institution, and on the 
2Plh of September, 1861, enlisted in the service of 
his country. On the 1st of May. 1863, he w.as 
captured at La Grange. Ark., and for four months 
was held prisoner at Little Rock, after which he 
was discharged. He returned toactivc service and 
remained with his command until the term of enlist- 
ment had expired. He participated in the battles 
of La Grange and Pea Ridge. Ark., and in tarious 



o22 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



skirmishes and campaifins. He was aeciflentally 
wouiKled in camp at LiUlo Rock in Ai)iil. \f<(>i. 
while on duly, but otherwise cscai)efl uninjured. 
After three years of warfare in the Soutli. lie re- 
ceived his discharge from the service September 
19, 18G4. 

On returning from the war, Mr. Dysart engaged 
in the mercantile business at Troy. Iowa, which he 
continued until 1870, when he sold out and re- 
moved to Hloon,field. of the same county. The 
real-estate business there engrossed his attention, 
and he made many excellent improvements at that 
place. Ills residence in Milton covers a period of 
nineteen consecutive years. On here locating, in 
1871. he engaged in the mercantile business with 
his brother. G. S. Dysart, but after two years that 
connection was discontinued, and he accepted the 
appointment of Postmaster of Milton from Presi- 
dent Grant, his commission bearing date 1872, 
lie continued to hold ullice until the year 1873, 
when he resigned and was employed as traveling 
salesman, continuing his services in that capacity 
until 1878, when he was again appointed Postmas- 
ter by President Arthur, and retained tlie olfice un- 
til (Jrover Cleveland had been one 3ear President, 
when he resigned in March. 1886, and bought out 
the Milton Herald, which he has ediled and pub- 
lished contimiously since. After speaking c>f the 
Milton Headlight, which it s.iys w^as started in Oc- 
tober, 187C, and suspended in March, 1878, the 
county history of 1878 says: "The Milton Herald 
was started in April. 1878,and is now run by McNeil 
it Baxter." Mr. Dysart purchased it in 1880 of Mr. 
IJ.ixter. It was then a seven-column folio with a 
very limited patronage, but untler the management 
of its present proprietor it has been increased one 
column in width, and very largely in circulation and 
material, until now it is one of the lea<ling papers 
of the blue grass region of Southern Iowa. It is 
independent in iiolitics and devoted largely to the 
interests of Milton, and to that of Van Buren and 
neighboring counties. 

Mr. Dysart was mairied in Troy, Iowa, on the 
2d of October, 1807, to Miss Jane Olivia Bruce, 
daughter of Amor and Margaret Bruce. Mrs. 
Dysart was born in Dearborn County, Ind.. and 
on her father's side is of Scotch ancestry. They 



have two children, a son and daughter — Paul, born 
in Troy. Iowa, July 22, 1868; and Chloe. born in 
Milton, November 7, 1883. The parents are mem- 
bers of the Methodist Episcoi)al Church, and are 
highly respected citizens of the community. Mr. 
Dysart is one of the enterprijing business men of 
Milton, and is an honored member of Charles W. 
Fishor Post, No. 433, G. A. R., of Milton, and of 
Jackson Lodge, No. 28, K. P., in both of which he 
has held all the offices. He has served one term as 
Mayor of Milton, and has just recently been 
elected for the sixth consecutive year as Secretary 
of the Milton District Agricultural Society, a 
flourishing organization in the district. 



-|-^t|^ 



<* j^ILLIAM M. V. B. FELLOWS, who re- 

\rj/l sides on section 9, of Van Buren Town- 
V^^ ship, is an intelligent and enterprising 
farmer and stock-raiser of Van Buren County. His 
family is of Knglish descent and his parents, Asa- 
hel and Susanna (Harrison) Fellows, were natives 
of Pennsylvania. For some j-ears the father fol- 
lowed farming in the State of his nativity, but in 
the autumn of 1835 he left for the West, think- 
ing to better his (condition by a removal to a 
communit}' where lands could be obtained cheap, 
•Tnd where one might, if willing to work, soon 
make for himself a comfortable home. He spent 
the wii'.ter in Michigan and the following spring 
resumed his journey, which he continueil until 
reaching what is now N'an Buren County, Iowa. 
He made a settlement along the Des Moines River, 
near Keosauciua. entering land and also jiiirchas- 
ing a claim, which, from a wild and unimproved 
tract, he develo|ied into a highly cultivated farm. 
He was a man of energ\'. not afraid of labor, and 
in consequence he met with success in his under- 
takings. For many j'ears he continued his farm- 
ing operations, laying aside the duties of life only 
when called to his final rest, in 1868. His wife 
survived him many years. They had quite a large 
family of children, of whom three sons and one 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALHUM. 



-1-23 



da'ighter are yet living — Whiting A., who is mni- 
rieii and resides in Van Hiin n Towtisiii|); Elvira, 
now Mrs. Hinckley, a resident of Clark Count}', 
Mo.; Stephen D., who is living near Kcosauqna; 
and William, of this sketch. 

In his _vouth our subjef t assisted in the devol- 
opraent of the home farm and became familiar 
with pioneer life, when their neighbors were ihc 
red men and when deer and otiier wild animals 
weie quite numerous in the settlement. They had 
to drive many miles to market and to mill and as 
the roads were often almost impa.>isable this was no 
easy task. Amid such surroundings the boyhood 
days of our subject were spent, and to the occu- 
pation of farming he was reared. On attaining 
to his majority he began making his own way in 
the world, operating a part of the old homestead. 
In 1854 he was married, in Van Buren County-, 
to Miss Matilda A. Peterson, a native of the county 
and a daughter of Ralph and Mary (Groves) Peter- 
son, who wore natives of the Buckeye State but 
came to Iowa at a very early da}'. They settled 
upon and im[)roved a farm in Vernon Township. 
Van Buren County, where they spent the remaindc r 
of their lives. The death of Mr. Peterson occurred 
in 1888, three j'ears subsequent to the lime when 
Ills wife was laid to rest. 

Mr. bellows, shorll}' after his marriage, purchased 
a partially-improved farm of three hundred and 
forty acres, which he has now placed under a high 
state of cultivation, vvhile he has greatly eidianced 
its value by the addition of many ^excellent im- 
provements, including a good residence, liarn, etc. 
He raises an excellent grade of thorough-bred 
stock, and in that branch of business, as in the de- 
velopment of his land, has been quite successful. 
In political sentiment he is a Democrat, but not 
an active politician. He gives his support to the 
cause of education and to other worthy enterprises 
calculated to upbuild and benefit the conunuiiity. 
In 1876 Mr. Fellows was called upon to mourn 
the loss of his wife, who died, leaving six chil- 
dren — Kvan is married and engaged in farming; 
Ocee, who is married ami resides in Colorado; 
Homer C. is Superintendent of the schools of ."^ac 
City. Iowa; Clay. Lena and Kd at home. In 187.S 
Mr. Fellows was again married, his second union 



being with X'.nUna A. Sperry, who wag born in this 
county, and is a daughter of Reuben and Kliza- 
hetli ( Whilten) Sperry, natives of Ohio. Tliey 
came to Van Buren County at an early <lny, lo- 
cating in Village Township. Mr. Sperry died in 
Cass County, Neb., in 187'), but the mother is still 
living and makes her home with her children. He 
served in the Mexican War and was also for three 
years one of the boys in blue duting the late war. 
The second union of Mr. Fellows has been blessed 
with five children — Maiy .S., Ra}', lyizzie Pe.'irl and 
Theo (twins), and Asa. The parents are members 
of the Zion Church and their lives have ever been 
such as to win them the high regard of those with 
whom thej' come in contact. 



-♦•r- 



A. KECK, who devotes his time and atten- 
tion to farming and stock-i aising, his home 
being on section .'J'i, Cedar Township, dates 
&^' his residence in Van Buren County from 
184C. in which year he emigrated Westward from 
Westmoreland County, Pa., the place of his nativ- 
ity. The year of his birlli was 1827, anil he was the 
second child born unto Henry and Mary (Hardin) 
Keck, both of whom were natives of the Keystone 
St.ate. The Keck family is of German origin, and 
was founded in America at an early day. The par- 
ents of our subject spent the days of their child- 
hood in Pennsylvania, were there m.arried. and 
made their home in AVeslmoreland County until 
the spring of 184(). when desiring to try his for- 
tune in the West, Mr. Keck, accompanied by his 
wife and children, made the journey to Van Buren 
County, Iowa. They settled in I'tica, but spent, 
their last days in Bentonsport. The father died in 
1 802, the mother in 1874. They were worthy anfl 
respected citizens, and ranked among the i)roini- 
nent early settlers of the comninnity. 

Tntil eighteen years of age. .1. \. Keck contin- 
ued to reside in liis native .State, his time being de- 
voted to farm lai'or durini; the summer months. 



5-24 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



wliilc ill llic winter season he atten<k'fl tlie public 
scliooU. It |)rove(l an impoitant decision for him 
when the family determined to seek a iiome in the 
West, for in Van Buren County he lias been blessed 
with prosperity, and won for himself a foremost 
place among its citizens, lie remained under the 
parental roof until the spring of 18r)2, when bid- 
dinir L'ood-by to home and friends, he crossed the 
plains to California, making the journey with an 
ox-team, and reaching his destination after four 
months of travel. For some time he engaged in 
raining on the American River, and in his opera- 
tions met with a good degree of success. After 
several months he returned to his home by the way 
of the Isthmus of Panama and New York City, but 
during the voyage cholera broke out among the 
|)assengers, and the vessel was quarantined at Key 
West, Fla. The gre;\ter (lart of the crew died of 
the disease, and the vessel was detained some time 
before a sutlicienl number could be obtained to re- 
place them. To the homesick Californian this de- 
lay was very tedious and wearisome, but finally the 
vessel again started on its way to New York City, 
whence Mr. Keck proceeded Ijy rail to Rock ford, 
111. Only a short time then elapsed before he was 
a^ain at home, receiving the welcome greetings of 
family and friends. 

A marriage ceremony performed in Van Bureu 
County, in the sining of 18.5:5 united the destinies 
of .1. A. Keck and Miss Ingaba Ebbert, daughter of 
.Tames and Kliza (De Vecmon) Ebbert. The lady 
is a native of Fayette County, Pa., and in the Key- 
stone .State, her father was also born, but her mother 
was a native of Maryland. Twelve children graced 
this union, ami with one exception all are yet liv- 
ing, namely: JIary, wifeof Charles Dougherty, a 
resident farmer of Cedar Township, Van Biiren 
County; Hugh G., who is married and is engaged 
in the transfer business in Dodge City, Kan.; Cathe- 
rini' P... wife of Robert Ely. of Harrisburg Town- 
ship; Rose E., wife of Taylor Easter, of Sumner 
County, Kan.; George C, who is married and de- 
votes his attention to the insurance business in 
York, Neb.; Lida, wife of Delberl .Tack, of Ben- 
tonsport; .Tohn II., is married, and is a conductor on 
the Burlington &: Missouri Railroad, running in 
Nebraska; .Tames E., who is married, and is school 



teaching in Harrisburg Township; Aliie . I.. Charles 
R., and Robert R.. are at home. William died in 
187.3, at the age of two years. 

The first purchase of land which Mr. Keck made 
comprised two hundred acres, and became his jjrop- 
erty in 1851. After his marriage, he took up his 
residence thereon, and began the work of develop- 
ing the same. So successful has he been in his 
operations, that he was enabled to extend its bound- 
aries until it now contains three hundred and forty 
acres, three hundred and twenty of which is under 
a high state of cultivation. The land is divided 
into fields of convenient size, these are well tilled, 
a substantial an<l commodious residence has been 
erected, barns and other outbuildings have been 
built, and everything necessary to a well regulated 
farm may there be found. He is also raising fine 
grades of all kinds of farm stock, and has several 
head of thorough-bred cattle. His farming inter- 
ests are extensive, and no branch of the business is 
neglected, 3'et, a man of great energy and enter- 
prise, Mr. Keck has found time to devote to other 
interests. Since 1868, he has been connected with 
the Bentonsport Flouring Mills, and for a number 
of years operated a creamerj- at the same place. 
He was at one time one of the most extensive stock 
shippers in this section of the State, but increasing 
years have caused him to lay aside some of his liusi- 
ness cares. Sagacious and far-sighted, he possesses 
excellent business ability and to his own efforts may 
be attributed his success in life. In politic;il senti- 
ment Mr. Keck is a stalwart Republican, having 
supported th.at part3' since its organization. He 
now holds the oflSce of Justice of the Peace of Cedar 
Township, a position which he has filled at inter- 
vals in former years, and as Townsliip Trustee he 
has also done effective service for the communitj-. 
He was President of the County Agricultural Fair 
for two years, and has frequently been a member 
of the Board of Directors. During the late war, 
although he could not enter the field, he served as 
captain of a company of home guards, and in many 
other ways displ.ayed his patriotism and loyalty to 
the (iovernment. Socially, he is a member of the 
Masonic order, belonging to Bentonsiiort Lodge, 
No. 47, A. F. A' A. M., La Fayette Chapter, of 
Bonaparte, and Elchanan Commander^, of Keosau- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



525 



qua. Iliiiisclf anil wife are members of llie Melho- 
(lisl Episi-opal C'hmcli of I'liea, ami their friemls 
.111(1 atquaiiitanues in Van Hurcn County form an 
extensive circle. Many years tlioy liavi; liorc re- 
sideil, and in tiic social world lliey are held in high 
reg.'ird, while the Keck household is the abode of 
hos|iitalily. 

- pro - 



"oSo' 



VfjACOB E. MAINLINE. M. 1).. the popular 
!Mayor and prominent [jhysician, of Cantril, 
deserves more than a passing notice in this 
volume. His enterprising and progressive 
spirit has made him a leader in the community and 
he has been instrumental in the establishment of 
many interests calculated to benefit both town and 
county. His residence here covets a period of but 
eight years yet few men are more widel}', and none 
more favorabl3', known than the Doctor. 

He was born in McDonough County. Ill . Au- 
gust 30, 1851. being the second child in a family of 
ten childrtn. whose parents were William C. and 
iSarah E. B. (Logan) Ilainline. His father w.ns a 
native of Kentucky, his mother of Illinois. The 
Hainlino family is of German origin, and w.as 
founded in America in the early part of the eight- 
eenth century. The great-grandfather of our sub- 
ject was one of eight men who accompanied Daniel 
Boone, the celebrated pioneer, when he made a 
permanent settlement in Kentuckj'. The grand- 
parents were George and Flora (Cockerell) Ilain- 
line. Both were natives of Kentucky and the wife 
was an aunt of Senator Cockeiell, of Missouri. 

William Ilainline was a farmer by occupation 
and follows that pursuit in McDonough County, 
HI., being still the owner and operator of the farm 
on which our subject first opened his eyes to the 
light of day. The Doctor received good educational 
advantages in his youth, his primary training in 
the district schools being supplemented by a course 
in the Normal and Scientific College of Macomb. 
III., of which he is a graduate. He then entered 
upon his business career as a teacher and followed 
that profession until 1870, when he began the 



study of medicine with Dr. H. B. Livermore, of 
Macomb, under whose instruction he continued his 
reading for two years, when he entered the Jeffer- 
son Medical College of Phil.adelphia, Pa. After 
.ittending two courses of lectures he was graduated 
from that institution in the class of 1872. He re- 
mained in the hospitals in the City of Brotherly 
Love for five years, during which lime he acquired 
a knowledge of his profession which many an older 
practitioner might well envy. For three years he 
was the surgeon of the eye and ear department of 
the Wells Hospital, and for two years had charge of 
a ward in the Blockley '-lying in" hospital, after 
which he spent about eighteen months in the .St. 
Luke Hospital as physician. He w.as also first as- 
sistant of the Chair of Clinical Surgery at the Jeff- 
erson Medical College. Allhongh young in years, 
Dr. Ilainline showed rare talent ami was given i)0- 
silions of distinction which enabled him to perfect 
himself in his studies and acquire a skill which has 
(ilac'ed him in the front rank in the meilical profes- 
sion of Southe.istern Iowa. 

Leaving Philadelphia, the Doctor returned to 
his native State, locating in Eulton County where 
he embarked in pr-ictice. Previous to this time he 
had wedded Miss Anna R. McElrath. daughter of 
John McElrath, a native of I'ennsylvania. The 
lady was b(n-n in McDonough County, III.. April 
3, 1851. and their unrriagc was celebrated on the 
9th of February, 1871. After a short married life 
of little more than a year Mrs. Mainline died, leav- 
ing one child — James .S. .Some ten years later the 
Doctor was again married his second union bein" 
with Emma L. Roe, the onl}' child of the distin- 
guished Dr. Roe, who for some time filled one of 
the Chairs in the St. Louis Medical College. He 
W.1S a stockholder in that institution but afterward 
sold out and removed to Kirksville, Mo. Mrs. 
Ilainline was born in Kno.x County Mo., Februarv 
14. 1863, and spent the days of her maidenhood in 
Kirksville. Two children have been born of the 
second marriage — Beatrice and Russell. 

Determining to seek a location further westward, 
in 1880 Dr. Mainline came to Iowa. He first lo- 
cated in Mt. Pleasant, where he was engaged in 
practice two years, afiei- which he came to Cantril, 
where he at once oi)ened an olliee, having now one 



526 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



of the largest and most lucrative practices of any 
l)liysici:in in tlic county. In 1814 lie was the means 
of saving; the jieople from tlie terrible scourge that 
passed Ihrouuli tliis country, known as the dysen- 
tery epidemic. Although he has a superior knowl- 
edge and skill in his profession he is yet asluilent 
and keeps abreast with all the improvements and 
discoveries relating to the science. Other interests 
have also engrossed his attention. In 1887 he es- 
tablished a drug-store which he still carries on, and 
in the same year he began the publication of a 
paper, known as the Cantril JVeics, but after eight- 
een months he discontinued the same as his prac- 
tice and their business interests were so large that he 
could not give to it the proper attention. Socially, 
he is a member of Cantril Lodge, No. 535. K. P., hold ■ 
ing the office of Vice-Chancellor and also belongs 
l) Prairie Gem Lodge, No. 288, 1. O. O. F..iii which 
he is Left Supporter of the Vice-Grand. In political 
sentiment he is a stalwart Republican and an irflu- 
cuIImI member of his part\- in this locality. He 
often attends tlie conventions and was a delegate 
to the Slate Convention which nominated Gov. 
LMir;il)ee for Chief Executive of the StiUe. In 
.March, 1890. he was honored with an election to 
the ollice of Mayor of Canti'il, a position which he 
is creditably and acceptably lilliug. 



^ €" 



^1 AMES NELSON SMITII,one of the most ex- 
tensive stock-rrisers and dealers of Jefferson 
County, was boin in Liberty Township, and 
is now living in Fairfield. His business 
interests are extensive and he ranks among the 
substantial citizens of the community. 

The family of which Mr. Smith is a member is 
of German origin and was established in America 
by his grandfather, John Smith, who emigrated 
from Germany and settled in Kentucky, where 
Greenup Smith, father of our subject, was horn 
November 27, 1806. near Cumberland Gap. In 
his native State, Greenui) Smith became overseer of 
an extensive plantation, having charge of sonic 



sixt^- negroes. In early manhood he became ac- 
quainted with and wedded Miss Sarah A. Johnson, 
the union being celebrated near Cumberland Ga[), 
August 27, 1829. Mrs. Smith was born in Ken- 
tucky, May 29, 1812. and was also of German de- 
sccrnt. Her father served in the Revolutionary 
War as a valiant su[)porler of the cause of inde- 
pendence. Among the early settlers he emigrated 
to Morgan County, 111., where a marble slab marks 
his last resting place. His wife spent her last days 
in Jefferson County, Iowa. Having engaged in 
agriculluriil pursuits in Illinois until 1837, Greaniip 
Smith removed to Van Buren County, Iowa, and 
in the summer of the following year came tC) Jctt- 
erson County, locating four miles east of Liberty- 
ville, where he entered a farm, on which he an(i his 
wife spent the remainder of their lives. The 
Territorj' of Iowa bore little resemblance to the 
great commonwealth of to-day. Mr. Smith bore 
an important part in the transforraalioii of the 
wild land into fertile farms and although by an 
accident he was greatly incapacitated for labor, in 
all possible ways he assisted in the progress and 
advancement of the best interests of the comniun- 
it}'. In 1842, while raising a building, a log fell 
on his leg and crippled him for life but although 
this placed him under great disadvantage he made 
the most of his opportunities and became one of 
the substantial farmers of Jefferson County. Wi(lel3' 
known, he was esteemed by all, and was a leading 
citizen of the community during the early days of 
its history. In 1844 and 1845 he served as County 
Treasurer, being elected by the AVhig party of 
which he w.as a stanch advocate until the organiza- 
tion of the Republican party. He and his wife 
were faithful members of the Cumberland Presby- 
terian Church and church, society, and many 
friends felt that they had suffered a deep loss when 
these vrorthy people were called to the home 
beyond. On a Sunday morning, the 12th of June, 
1870, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, their daughter, and 
Mrs. Smith's mother were driving to church when 
the horses became frightened and dashed down a 
slope. The driver tried to stop them, but a bridle 
bit broke and after running some two hundred 
yards the team made a sudden turn, throwing all 
from the carriage. Mrs. Smith and her mother 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



.')27 



were killed and Mr. Smith and the daunhler badly 
injured, hut in time they recovered. Ili.s (Uatli 
oec'iuied .hine 12, 1876. 

In their family were nine cliildren — Jolm, born 
.July 9, 1830, died May 21. 1«(!1 ; Martlia A., born 
October 12, 1831. died Angust 2y, 1880 ; William 
L., born iSIarch G, 1833, is a farmer of Jefferson 
County, Iowa ; Margaret A., born A|)ril 13, 1834, 
is the wife f>f I'eter Yost, a resident of .Jefferson 
Count}', Iowa ; Mary J., born June 4, 1 83.5, is the 
wife of Henry Newman who resides in Santa Rosa, 
Cal. ; Washington J. M., who served in the army 
and received a severe wound in tiie arm. makes his 
home in Fairfield. Iowa ; .Sopiiia L., born Septem- 
ber 7, 1838, died at the age of one year ; Sarah 
L., born December 3, 1843, is the wife of James II. 
McCoy, a resident of Jefferson County, Iowa. 

The subject of this sketch, who was l)orn on the 
26th of November, 1841, was the eighth child of 
the family. In his youth he became inured to the 
hardships of farm life on the western frontier but 
the training has doubtless proved a profitable one 
as the lessons of industry, economy and enterprise 
which he learned have been important factors in 
his success in after life. After attending the 
district schools in the neighborhood he supple- 
mented his early education by a partial course in 
Cherry Grove Seminary, of Illinois. When the 
war broke out it was his desire to enter the army 
but his father, not willing that he should do so. 
proi)osed to fit him out for a trip across the plains. 
In company with Joseph Rodabaugh, he drove five 
yoke of cattle to Powder River in Baker County, 
Ore., five months being consumed in making the 
trip and in the West he engaged in freighting and 
dealing in cattle. After o[)eraling successfully for 
five years he returned by w.ay of the Isthmus of 
Panama and New York, in 1!S(!7. 

In Van liuren County, on the 7lh of May, 1868, 
Mr. Smith was united in marriage with Miss Isa- 
bella, daughter of Joseph and Marj- (Robins) T.aj'- 
lor. She was born in Scotland. November 18, 
1846, when seven 3'ears of age crossed the Atlantic 
with her parents to America and in 1853. with the 
family, located in Van Buien County. The _\oung 
couple began their domestic life in Birmingham, 
Van Buren County, where Mr. Smith dealt in slock 



and carried on pork packing. The latter business 
he also followed in Keokuk and in 1873, lie shipped 
from northeastern Kansas, forty-five car loads of 
hogs and cattle, being the largest single 8hi|)ment 
ever made fiom that State. His residence in 
Fairfield dates from 1876, since which time he has 
dealt in stock and grain, doing a most extensive 
business in that line in the county. That does not 
comprise his business interests, however. In con- 
nection with J. E. Roth, he owns the Blue Grass 
Horse Farm, containing three hundred acres in 
Liberty Township and in 1887 made a trip to 
Europe, importing ten Norman and Belgian stall- 
ions, six feu- his own ranch and the remaining four 
for other parties. 'I'hey now have some sixty 
horses on the Blue (Jrass Farm. Besides the above 
farm. Mr. Smith owns two hundred and eight}' 
a( res of farm land, a grain house, a bus barn and 
good residence. He has indeed prospered in his 
business affairs and may be justly proud of his 
success whiel'. is due almost entirely to his own 
efforts. Such men make good citizens and it was 
a fortunate day for Jefferson County when he de- 
cided to make his home within its borders. While 
in Oregon, Mr. Smith cast his first Presidential 
vote for Abraham Lincoln, nor has he yet wav- 
ered in his support to the Hci)ublicaii party. Both 
he and his wife are memliers of the Presb3terian 
Church of which he is a Trustee. 

i\Ir. and Mrs. Smith have a family of three 
children, two of whom are living; Pearl M.. dieil at 
the age of seven months ; E. Russell, the eldest, 
is a student of Parsons College, and Harry, who 
at this writing, is attending Flliott Business Col- • 
lege, of Burlington, Iowa. 






'I^ICHARD MYKRS is a farmer and stock 
jbsir raiser of Polk Township. Jefferson County. 
i!i\V carrying on operations in those lines of in- 
dustry on section 35. He has made his 
home in this community since 185.5. and has there- 
fore witnessed much of the growth and develop- 



.■^28 



POllTUAIT AND BIOGRAPfllCAL ALBUM. 



nient of Soiillioastoin Iowa. lie is a rcspoctert 
cilizcn. worthy the estreni of his fell(jw-men iind 
we are j,Ma(l tiius to present his sketch to liis in:uiy 
frien<ls. 

Tlie record of ills life is as follows: He was horn 
in Washington Counly, Pa., in 1830, and in a family 
of thirteen children, was tiie eldest. His parents, 
Stephen and Sarah (Huffman) Myers, were also 
natives of the Keystone Stale, where the father 
followed farniing until 1855, which year witnessed 
his emigration to Jefferson County, Iowa. The 
West, with its splendid opportunities attracted him 
and with the hope of bettering his financial condi- 
tion, he made a settlement in Jefferson County, 
where he purchased three hundred and seven acres 
of partially improved land, located in Polk Town- 
ship. His excellent wife died at her home in this 
community in 1872, and four days later he was 
also called to his final rest. 

The days of his boyhood and youth our subject 
spent upon his father's farm and in the schools of 
his native Slate, he acquired a good English edu- 
cation. Having attained to mature years, in 1852, 
he married Miss Matilda fiault, a native of Penn- 
sylvania, and their union Iris been blessed willi 
five children yet living: John, the eldest of the 
famil}-, is married and resides in Pueblo, Col.; 
Sarah is now Mrs. Tate, of Black Hawk Township, 
Jefferson County; Curtis is married and resides in 
Jefferson County; Stephen, a resident of Fairfield, 
is also married ; and the youngest, Mar3', is now 
Mrs. Gilmer, of Abingdon. 

The same year in which his father emigrated to 
Iowa, Richard Myers and his family sought a home 
in llie West. His life work has been that occupa- 
tion to which he was reared. Purchasing a par- 
tiall3' improved farm of eighty acres, five years 
after his arrival, he at once began its development 
and has been so successful in his undertakings that 
he was enabled to extend its boundaries until it 
now comprises two hundred and five acres in Pulk 
and Locnst (irove Townships. Many excellent 
improvements, both of a useful and ornamental 
character, have been added, good grades of stock 
are there to be seen, tojfether with the latest im- 
proved machinery, while the well-tilled fields give 
evidence to the p.asser-by of the thrift and enterprise 



of the owner. He is truly a self-made man, for 
with no i)fccuniary assistance, he started out in life 
and through his own efforts has acquired the prop- 
erty which today places him in' comfortable cir- 
cumstances and ranks him among the substantial 
farmers of the community-. His life has been a 
busy one, yet he has found time.' aside from his 
business, to devote to the advancement of all 
worth}' interests calculated to benefit the commun- 
ity and also to church work, himself and wife being 
members of the Baptist Church. He does not take 
an active part in political affairs, but keeps himself 
well informed on the leading issues of the day and 
casts his ballot with the Republican party. 

In 1868, Mr. Myers was called upon to mourn 
the loss of his wife and the following year he was 
joined in wedlock with Ruth Fisher, a native of 
Des Moines Township, and a daughter of George 
and Marj' Jane (Cloke) Fisher, of whom further 
mention is made later on in this sketch. Three 
children grace their union: Frank, Eraraelt and 
Laura Alice. Mr. Myers i.« a practical and pro- 
gressive farmer, who, thoroughly understanding his 
business, manages his interests in the best possible 
way and thereby reaps a good income as the reward 
of his labor. 

George Fisher, father of Mrs. Myers, was a na- 
tive of Pennsylvania, but in his youth removed to 
Indiana, where he became acquainted with and 
married Miss Cloke, a native of that State. From 
Indium they removed to Illinois in 1830 and two 
years later came to what is now Des Moines Town- 
ship, Jefferson County, Iowa, but was then a part 
of tlie 'i'erritory of Michigan. He entered laml and 
imi)roved it, settling upon the purchase where he 
continued to make his home for many years. He 
was a stirrirg and wide-awake farmer who labored 
unceasingly for the interests of himself and family. 
He became a prominent citizen of the community, 
took an active part in politics and was an untiring 
woiker in the Baptist Church. His upright life 
commended itself to the respect and confidence of 
all with whom hi^ cpme in contact and won him 
many waim friends. He was called to his final 
home in 187C, having survived his wife for some 
twenty-six j'ears. They were the parents of eight 
children: Mary Ann, now Mrs. Black, of Kansas; 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



A2» 



Ruth J., the honored wife of Richard Myers; Mil- 
tun, wlio is married and inakfis his honuf in Locust 
Grove Townsiiip, cnlistod for the latn war in ISC.l, 
in Company II, Tliirtieth h)wa Infantry and aftfi- 
serving three years was honorably discharged in 
Davenport; Rachel is now tlie wife of William 
Salts; Uhoda married Samuel Salts; Clara C. mar- 
ried Christian Maxson and died in l.sT'i; Martha K. 
died when two years of .age. Baibara. the young- 
est, is the wife of David Salts. 



3S-^J#iS-^e 



^ OHN C. IIAGLER, an honored pioneer of 
Iowa, of 1832, who, since 1813 has made 
his home in Van Biuen County, and is now 
a resident of ^lilton, was born in Stewart 
County, Tenn., on the I'.ltli of March, 1H14, and is 
one of a famil^'of thirteen children, nuinljcring six 
brothers and seven sister.s. of whom live brothers 
and four sisters are now living. The parents of 
this family were Cleveland and Xancy Ilagler, 
natives of North Carolina, both born and reared in 
the region of the Little I'edee River. They removed 
to Tennessee in early life, whence the}' emigrated 
to Madison County, III., with their children, in 
1819, and Mr. Ilaglcr there devoted himself to 
farming until 1832, when, accompanied by liis fam- 
ily, he took up his residence in Warren County of 
the same .State, where he made his liome until 1843, 
when he emigrated to the Iowa Territory, the fam- 
ily locating in Jackson Township on Governnienl 
land. Mr. Hagler followed the occujjation of 
farming throughout his entire life. He held vari- 
ous township offices and lived to a. ripe old age, his 
death occurring in 1877, having survived his wife 
about three years. 

John C. Ilagler was reared on a farm and re- 
ceived his education in the country district schools 
of Illinois. When eighteen years of age lie turned 
his face toward the setting sun, and crossing the 
Mississijipi at a point where now flourishes the 
great city of Burlington, set foot upon Iowa soil. 
At that time one log house alone marked the advent 



of the white race into wiiat was then an unorgan- 
ized tiM-rilory.but wliicli was attached to Michigan 
in 1831, became Wisconsin Territory in I«3(;, and 
was organized into the Territoryof Iowa in ia38. 
Mr. Ilagler erected a log cabin on a claim near the 
present site of Burlington, where he spent the 
winter, returning to Illinois in the spring of 1833. 
The following fall he went to Dubuque, Iowa, then 
a mere liandel, ami followed teaming with a yoke 
of oxen, between Keokuk, (iaicna, Mineral Point 
and Plattvllle. until tlie fall of 1,S34, when he re- 
turned to Warren County, III. He engaged in 
farming there and was married in that county on 
the 30th of November, 1837, to Miss Rachel Baker, 
who was born in St. Claire County, III., May 10. 
1817. 

In the spring of 1843 Mr. Hagler emigrated 
from Illinois to Iowa, and located in Jackson 
Township, \'an Buren County, near Milton. His 
brother, Amos Hagler, in company with two other 
families, were the earliest settlers in this township, 
they having located here in the spring of 1838. 
The brother died November 10, 1864. John C. 
Hagler purchased (Jovernnicnt land on section 32, 
town 68 north, range 1 1 west, where he engaged in 
farming and stock-raising. He added to his origi- 
nal purchase until he had four hundred .acres in 
this township, in addition to which he now owns 
two hundrcil and forty acres near Ri|)pey, Greene 
County, Iowa, and eighty acres in Woodbur}' 
County. In IJIOO he began buying and shi[)ping 
live slock, which business he continued until 1884. 
His first markets were .St. Louis, Mo., and Pittsburg, 
Pa., and he also shipped some slock to New York, 
but later the greater pari of his shipments were 
sent to Chicago. He purchased considerable Texas 
stock in early days, but subsequently bought Iowa 
cattle. His shipments averaged about two cars of 
stock weekly, and he was known throughout Iowa 
as one of the largest stock dealers of the .Slate. In 
1877. retiring somewhat from active business life, 
he removed to Milton, where he has since resided. 

Mr. and .Mrs. Ilagler were the parents of seven 
children, four sons and three daughters, of whom 
five are living. George \V., the eldest, was born 
August II, 1840, .serveil three years during the late 
war as a member of the Ninth .Missouri Cavalry, 



.130 



PORTRAIT AND BIOUKAPIIICAL ALRUM. 



married Miss llaltie Wright, and resides in Ida 
Counly, Iowa, where lie is engaged in faniiiiig; 
Naiiey K.. born July 30, 1H4-2. is the wife of George 
Pippinger, and is a resident of Ma County. Iowa. 
Mr. Ilagler. Sr., has two brotiiers and a sister liv- 
ing in Ma County, besides his son and daughter. 
Marion C, the next youn;.'er. w.as born Maieli "25. 
1844, and died August 4, 1845; EUsha C, born 
May 20, 1846, and died August 15, 1847; .Susanna, 
born February 16, 1848, is the wife of Calvin 
Huddleston, a farmer of .I.iekson Tov.nship. who 
enlisted in the Ninth Missouri Cavalry, and served 
three years in the late wur; John Fletchei- was born 
January 31, 1850. wedded Lizzie Abernatiiy. who 
lives in Shenandoah, Iowa; David M., born January 
27, 1855, married Emma Smith, and is farming in 
Jackson Township. 

On the 24th of .September. 1 8H3. Mr. ll.agier w.as 
called upon to mourn the loss of his esteemed wife, 
who had been his corapanion on life's journej^ for 
nearly forty-six years, and who was a consistent 
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He 
was again married September 30, 1885, the lady of 
his choice being Mrs. Mary J. Corwin, widow of 
B. W. Corwin, and daughter of Josiah and Ilattie 
(Taylor) Tufts. Mrs. Ilagler was born in Lebanon, 
Warren County, Ohio. January 22, 1844. was 
reircd and educated in her native town, and on the 
14th of September, 1865, became the wife of 
Lieut. 1$. W. Corwin. Her husband was born 
in Warren County, Ohio, April 2, 1841, and was a 
Lieutenant of the Second Ohio Heavy Artillery. 
In 1807 he removed with his family to Keosauqua, 
Iowa, and on the 15th of February, 1877, his death 
occurred in Scotland County, Mo. Mrs. Hagler 
had five children by her first marriage. Haltie 
Corwin, the eldest, was born October 8, 1866, and 
is the wife of Charles Drake, of Scotland County, 
Mo.; Winnie, born December 31, 1867, died Octo- 
ber 29, 1887; Joseph E., born October 14, 1869; 
Frank E., April 11, 1,S75; and John W., August 
20, 1876. Mrs. Ilagler is a member of the 
Christian Church. Mr. Ilagler has always been a 
Reiiublican in politics and has held various town- 
sliii) oflices; was Justice of the Peace, Notary Pub- 
lic, Township Trustee, and a meuil)or of the .School 
Board. Socially, he is a member of .\urora Lodge, 



No. 150, A. F. & A. M., of Milton. Toward the 

breaking out of liie war he engaged in merchandis- 
ing with John Wright, and continued some six 
3ears. Fifty-eiglit 3ears mark the time since he 
came to Iowa. 



OORVIL N. GREEN. Among the living 
( representatives of one of the substantial 
: pioneer families of Jefferson County, is the 

gentleman whose name appears at the he.id of this 
sketch and we feel that we afford our readers 
pleasure in presenting to them this record of his 
life. His father, Wilson Green, a native of Hun- 
tingdon County, Pa., was born August 25, 1809, 
and was a son of Nathaniel and Ruth (Johnson) 
Green, the former of F^nglish descent and the 
latter of .Scotch lineage. Nathaniel Green lived to 
the age of eighty-eight years and his wife reached 
the advanced age of ninety-eight years. 

Wilson Green, fatiier of our subject, is one of 
nine children, six sons and three daughters. In 
earl}' life he learned the carpenter's trade which 
served him admirably on coming to Iowa, for in 
that early day workmen were scarce and his ser- 
vices were highly prized. On May 14, 1835, he 
wedded Emily J. Frazey, a native of Bedford 
County, Pa., born March 10. 1818. Soon after 
their m.irriage lliey removed to Portage Count}', 
Ohio, and in 1845, emigrated to Jefferson County, 
Iowa, locating on section 31, Lockridge Township. 
Mr. Green was a successful farmer, owning a good 
farm, the value of which he greatly enhanced by 
adding many improvements thereto. Both he and 
his wife were active members of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church, as were also his [larents before 
hiiii. Politically, he was a Democrat. His death 
occurred on the 26th of Sejitember. 1854, and later 
his widow married James H. Hendricks, with whom 
she still lives on the old homestead. By her first 
marriage she became the motlierof seven children, 
all pf whom are yet living save Ira E.. who died 
when about twelve years old. Those who still 







^_Xt/"''^^^>'^---'^x^^ 



l-^^t^l 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALIUM. 



533 



survive are Norvil N., the eldest of the family; 
Morrison B., a farmer.of Washington County, Iowa; 
Joseph A. wlio is engaged in tiie hotel business in 
Curtis, Nebraska; AIniiraE. wife of Horace Steel, a 
resident of Washington County, Iowa; Frances 
I»I., wife of Simeon T. Caviness, whose home is in 
Jefferson County, and James W. who devotes his 
time and attention to farming in Kansas. 

We now take up the personal history of onr sub- 
ject. Ohio is the State of his nativity and October 
8, 1836, the date of his birth. The first nine years 
of his life were spent in Portage County, whence, 
in 1845, lie accompanied his parents on tlieir west- 
ward journey to the Territory of Iowa. Since that 
time he has never left the old homestead on which 
the family located, but now lias cliarge of and owns 
the greater part of it, consisting of two hundred 
and eighty acres of good land, most of which he 
has plated under a high state of cultivation and 
which therefore yields a ready and suitable return 
for the care and labor he bestows upon it. Ac- 
quainted with the occupation of farming in all its 
details and possessing unbounded thrift and in- 
dustr}' he cannot but be successful. He is largely 
interested in sheep raising. 

Religiously, Mr. Green hasembraced the faith of 
his parents and is an active rapmber and faithful 
■worker in the church, but in politics lie has not fol- 
lowed the paternal exam pie, being a stanch Republi- 
can and a warm advocate of prohibition. He de- 
votes himself entirely to the interests of his farm 
and as the result ranks among the successful agri- 
culturalists of his township. 



<v 



•r^-^^^^i^t^^t^^^- 



Bi 



^OHN A. 8PIELMAN, a retired hardware 
merchant of Fairfield and one of the promi- 
nent pioneers of Jefferson County, was born 
in Columbus. Ohio, Jul>' 10, 1834, and is 
the son of John and Saloma (Berge) Spielman, 
whose sketch appears on another page of this work. 
Our subiect came to Jefferson County with his 
parents in the spring of 1840. and spent the succeed- 



ing ten years of bis life on his father's farm in 
Walnut Township, attending the primitive schools 
of ])ioneer times or aiding in the cultivation of the 
homestead. In 1850, when jiixleen years of age, 
he returned to his native city and entered the Cap- 
ital I'niversity, where he pursued his studies for 
two years. He then .served an a|)prenticeship to 
the tinner's trade and in the fall of 1855, when a 
little past his majority returned to Iowa. For a 
year and a half he worked at his trade in Burling- 
ton and then went to Mt. Pleasant, where he en- 
gaged .as clerk for Presley Saunders, the pioneer 
merchant of that town and after spending a year 
ill tiial place started a general store in a little 
village in Jefferson County, called Oermanville, 
whicii was situated in Walnut Township. He was 
there married on the 24lL of April, 1860, to Miss 
Christina Hirschberger, a daughter of Godfrey 
Hiischberger, and a nutivc of Lancaster, Ohio. 

In the Presidential campaign of the same year, 
wiien Lincoln was the nominee for President, Mr. 
Spielman organized a company of Wideawakes 
which he drilled and subsequently, after the break- 
ing out of the war, converted many of tliem into 
soldiers. He raised a conii)any for the .Seventeentli 
Iowa Regiment — Comi>any I) — anil also a part of 
Company K. In Feliruaiy. 1862. he was commis- 
sioned Second Lieutenant and leaving his wife to 
carry on the store, marched to liie front. The 
Captain of his company was dismissed from the 
service and Lieut. Spielman should have succeeded 
to the captaincy-, but by some mistake the order 
was never enforced. However, the command of 
the company devolved upon Lieut. Spielman who 
acted as captain until his former superior oflicer 
was reinstated when he resigned , after eighteen 
months of active service. He was commissioned 
Captain on Gen. John E. McPherson's staff, b'.it the 
commission did not reach him until after his 
resignation. Capt. Spielman look part in the seige 
of Corintli and the battle of luka, and after the 
engagement at the former place on the 2nd. 3d and 
4tli of October, the regiment was complimented ly 
Gen. Roscncrans, who said that it had captured 
more prisoners an 1 colors than any other regiment 
in the field. Our subject was in command of his 
company during (J rani's march in the rear of Vicks- 



534 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



burg, iiariiciiwled in tlie Yazoo expedition, tlie 
liallle at (liand Gulf. Miss., on the 1st of May, 
1863, fougbt at Btiyou, Miss., Port Gil)son, Black- 
River anil tlie battle of Raymond, M.iy 12 ; 
participated in the capture of Jackson. Miss., May 
11. the battle at Cham|)ion Hills, May 17 and 18, 
the engsgeraent at Black River on the following 
day and llie celebrated charge on Vlcksburg, May 
27. The Seventeenth Iowa and Fifty -sixth Illinois 
Regiments were the only two that guarded Ft. 
Hill which Logan blew up. Capt. Spielman was 
also in the seige of Vicksbnrg until after its sur- 
i(!nd(fr. A month later he went up the river and on 
the 18th of August, 1863, resigned his position. 
Returning from the war he located in Fairfield and 
established himself fh the hardware business which 
he has carried on continuously since. 

Mr. and Mrs. Spielman were blessed wiih a 
family of six children, three sons and three daugh- 

t,t.,s Henry A., the eldest was born on the 4th of 

March, 1861, the day on which President Lincoln 
was first inaugurated, graduated from Carthage 
CoUcc. of Carthage, 111., married Miss Alice 
Geio'er and is now a commercial traveler, residing 
in Fairfield, .lolin G. who graduated from the 
State University of Iowa, is a civil engineer by 
profession. Carrie E. is the wife of Rev. C. S. 
McElhinney of the Presbyterian Church, of Colum- 
bus .lunction, Iowa ; Fred A. is a hardware mer- 
chant of Fairfield, the junior member of the firm 
of .T. A. Spielman & Son. The younger daughters, 
May and Louisa Belle, are still at home. 

Mr. Spielman and wife are members of the 
English Lutheran Church, and Mr. Spielman has 
been prominently connected with that church 
officially. He was Treasurer of the State Synod 
for seventeen consecutive years, a delegate to the 
ticneral Synod six times, and has acted as special 
agent for the Board of Church Extension of the 
General Synod, in securing locations for new mis- 
sions in Iowa and while serving in that capacity 
aided in locating three chuiches. He bought the 
church of his denomination in Burlington and 
deeded it to the society. He also aided in establish- 
ing the church at Davenport and one in Sioux City.' 
He has held the ollices of Deacon, Elder, Trustee 
ami Secretary of his local church and has been an 



eflicienl worker in the Sunday-school cause, having 
served as president of the Jefferson County Sunday- 
school Association and labored in the interests of 
the State Sundaj'-school Association. He was also 
a member of the Board of Trustees of Carthjige 
College and served as its President two years, when 
he resigned on account of failing health. 

.Mr. Spielman is a member of George Strong 
Post, No. 10, G. A. R. and while serving in the 
capacit)' of Post Commander had the honor of un- 
veiling the only soldiers' monument in .letTcrson 
County. At the exercises attending that event he 
presided and made the opening address. He is the 
father of the regimental organization, was its first 
president and held that position four years. He 
has attended all tiie re-unions in this part of the 
State and was the presiding officer on the second 
day of the re-union in Croston. in October, 1886, 
when Gen. Phil Sheridan was present the last time 
he was west of the Mississippi. In political senti- 
ment, Mr. Spielman is a Republican and has been 
an active worker for his party since its organiza- 
tion, aiding not a little in its advancement by his 
entertaining speeches in its behalf. He Ikis held 
various local offices, such as township trustee and 
clerk and Alderman of the city, and is the present 
secretary of the Old .Settlers Association. He is 
an affable, genial gentlem.an, well informed, broad 
and liberal in his views, and enjoys the confidence 
and respect of a large circle of .acquaintances. 



ONATHAN D. ROWLAND is the junior 
member of the firm of Rowland Bros., gen- 
eral merchants of Milton, Iowa. He is a 
native of this Slate, his birth having occur- 
red in Davis County, on the 4th of November. 
18.53, his parents being Samuel P. and Elizabeth 
(Russell) Rowland. The early life of our subject 
passed uneventfully. His education was acquired 
in the district schools of the neighborhood, and at 
the academy of Tro^', and he was reared upon the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



535 



farm iitilil twent5'-two j-ears of age, when he left 
the parenial roof. On approaching years of ma- 
turity, he was united in marriage with Miss Mamie 
Ciallin, liieir marriage being celebrated in Joiinson 
County, Kan., on tiie *27lh of February, 1872. The 
lady is a daughter of Major Wallace Claflin, de- 
ceased, who was born in Van Buren County, Iowa, 
and was a son of Ira Cladin. He graduated from 
West I'oint. Mrs. Rowland is a native of Hagers- 
town. Md., and by the union of the young couple, 
two cliildron, sons, have been born: Lamar, born 
November 23, 1883; and Downs, born on the lO'.h 
of .September, 1885. 

In ])olitical sentiment, Mr. Rowland is a Demo- 
crat, and a stanch supporter of that part^', wiiii 
which he has aflilialed since attaining his majority. 
He is not only connected with the business inter- 
ests of Jlilton as a member of the firm of Rowland 
Bros., but is also a director and stockholder in the 
Citizens' Bank. He is one of the live young busi- 
ness men of the city, whose future promises success, 
and if lie pursue the path in which he is now walk- 
ing, in a short time he will doubtless be ranked 
among the substantial and le.ading citizens of Van 
Buren Countj'. 



-m= 



yr^V.OnC.E PENNINGTON, an early settler of 
/[ — , ^■an Kuren County, who for thirty-three 
V^J years has held the office qf Justice of the 
Peace, is now a resident of Milton. Delaware is 
the State of his nativity. He was born in Kent 
County, September 30, 1823, and is a son of Ben- 
jamin and Ann (Wilson) Pennington, who were 
also natives of the same county. The father died 
ill Delaware in early life, after which the mother 
became the wife of William Russell. The family re- 
moved to Rush County, Ind.. in 1835, and some 
years later to Frnnklin County, where the subject of 
this sketch was reared on a farm anil received a com- 
mon-school education. He w.as married on the 24tli 
of September. 1843. in I'raiiklin County. Ind.. the 
lady of his choice being Miss Casander Amos, 



daughter of Ditto Amos, and a native of Kentucky. 
One child, a daughter, wsis born unto them — Mary 
Adeline, who died aged three years, in this 
county. 

In April, 184C, .Mr. Pennington came to Iowa 
and settled in Jackson Township, Van Buren 
County, and eng.aged in farming. During his 
residence there his wife died on the 24th of July, 
1848, and on the 1st of August, 1850, be was again 
married, to Miss Mary M. Mowre, daughter of 
David and Sarah Mowre. She was born in Ken- 
tucky in February, 1834; during her girlhood 
accompanied her parents to In<liana, and in 1848 
cnme to low.a. Mr. and Mrs. Pennington are pa- 
rents of the following children: David Benjamin, 
the eldest, died at the age of eight months; Sarah 
Ann resides with her parents; Mary Frances is the 
wife of Samuel A. McCombs, '>( Milton; Charlotte 
E. is the wife of Oscar Smith, a resident of Fairfield, 
Iowa; Amanda J. wedded A. H. Dodge, who is liv- 
ing in Bloomfield, Iowa; George Sherman married 
Miss Kate Gilfillan, and resides in Milton; Charles 
E. is single, and is now located in Center ville, Iowa- 
Cora Belle, the youngest,is unmarried and yet makes 
her home with her parents. 

In 1867, Mr. Pennington left the farm and re- 
moved to Milton, where he engaged in hotel keepino- 
with good success for a number of years. He was 
elected Justice of the Peace in 1851, imraediately 
after the first code of the State was enacted, and 
was re-elected from term to term, having for the 
past forty years, with the exception of six terms, 
hell! the office continuously. He is now serving 
in the same position, his time not Expiring until 
1891. He has served more years in the ollice of 
Justice than an^- man in Van Buren County, and 
more acceptably — a fact indicated by his lono- 
retention in the position and by the large majorities 
which he receives at the elections. His views on 
political subjects are in support of the principles 
of the Democratic party. Other local ollhes he lias 
frequently filled. He was at one lime the candidate 
of his parly for the position of Sheriff, and 
received the flattering home endorsement of one 
hundred and six votes out of one hundred and 
forty six cast in the precinct, although defeated by 
an adverse party majority in the county. Mr. Pen. 



536 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPIIK A I, AI.IU.M. 



ninglon served as Notary Public many years; has 
licld the office of sub-district Treasurer of liis town- 
ship, and is now Secrelar}- of the independent 
seliool district of Milton. He lias also assessed the 
city of Milton ever since it was incorporated as a 
citj', and is now entering upon a new term in tliat 
position, and has assessed the township several 
times. He is a member of .lacksou Lodge, No. 28, 
K. P., and he and liis wife, with several of their 
children, are members of the Methodist Church. 
Mr. Pennington Is a genial and affable man. whose 
sound judgment and upriglit and impartial dis- 
charge of duly have won fur him the confidence and 
esteem of his fellow citizens. 



^- 



z^ 



'\|] AMEvS BELL, deceased, an honored pioneer 
of Van Buren County, of 1837, was born 
in Virginia, about 1810. In early child- 
hood he was loft an orphan and reared by 
strangers, with whom in his boyhood he went to 
Kentucky. Prior to his marriage he eraigr.ated to 
Illinois, locating in Hancock County, where he 
formed the acquaintance of Miss Barbara Walker, 
whom he afterward made his wife. AVith the hope 
of .securing a home, in 1837, they started westward 
crossed the Mississippi and made a location in the 
central part of Van Buren County. Iowa, about 
two miles north of Keosau(iua. At that time there 
were only one or two families living in the central 
portion of the county and a cornfield marked the 
site of the present county seat. It will thus be seen 
that the work of advancement and development 
had not been carried forward with verv rapid 
strides. Mr. Bell entered land which he trans- 
formed into a fine farm, and at his death the old 
homestead comprised two hundred and forty acres 
of as highly cultivated land as could be found in the 
county. 

Seven children, four sons and three daughters 
were born of the union of James Bell and Barbara 
Walker. Eli, the first born, married Sarah A. 
Matthews and his farm, a short distance north of 



Keosauqua. joins the old homestead; Rachel is the 
wife of Mr. Jackson, a resident farmer of Davis 
County, Iowa; John R. who operates the home 
farm has been three times marrie<l, his present wife 
being Mary Miller; George W., an enterprising 
business man of Milton, is represented elsewhere in 
this work; Sarah K. is the wife of Jonathan Denning 
who is engaged in agricultural pursuits in \'an 
Buren County ; Henr}- who married Almira Kim- 
ball, was drowned in the Des Moines River at 
Pittsburg, in 1870, and one died in infancy. 

The death of Mrs. Bell occurred in October, 
18G3, but Mr. Bell survived his wife sonie seven 
years, dying in 1870, in the sixty-first year of his 
age. Both he and his wife were members of the 
^Sfethodist lipiscopal Church and were identified 
with the first church in the county. He was a 
Democrat in politics but gave little attention to 
political affairs. He was familiarly known among 
his neighbors and friends as "I'ncle Jim," and the 
word of Uncle Jim was as readily received as the 
bond of most men. He was genial and kindly by 
nature and was alwa3's ready to give assistance, en- 
couragement or sympathy to those in need of his 
kindly offices. A typical pioneer, such as made the 
era of good feeling proverbial in the early settle- 
ment of the West, his sketch deserves representa- 
tion in this volume which will long perpetuate his 
memory. 

J^^- 



.jENJAMlN F. HUMPHREY, a jeweler of 
Milton, is a native of Illinois, born July 3, 
1854. His father was George Humphrey, 
who vyas born in Ohio, about 1826. antl in 
1832, with his parents came to Van Buren County, 
where he wedded Miss Mary Sheets, the mother of 
the subject of our sketch. A more extended notice 
of this worthy couple is given on another page of 
our history. 

Benjamin F. Humphrey during his childhood 
days was brought by his parents to Van Buren 
County, where in the common schools his education 
was acquired. His early life passed uneventfully 



PORTRAIT AND BFOGRAPIIICAL ALBUM. 



537 



and on neaiing the 3'ears of matui-itj' he made 
choice of the; jeweler's trade as a busini?ss whit-li 
he bclievc<l he coiihl profilahly and [)lea-iantly fol- 
low thronsih life. In 1.S77, he bejjan learnini^ liie 
trade in Lebanon, where lie continued about a year. 
He came lo Milton the following year aiul in 187!) 
established his i)rescnl business. Mr. Iluniphrey 
has now been located in Millon some eleven years 
and has built up a tine trade, wliile his skill in his 
calling; has won for him the conlidence of those 
necdinji: the services of a skilled watchmaker. 

An important event in the life of .Mr. Iliunphrey 
occurred on the oth of Aiiril. 1882, which day wit- 
nessed the celebration of his marriage to Miss 
Matlie Penninjiton, daiii^^hter of Benjamin Pen- 
nington, of Milton. The lady is a native of Davis 
County. Iowa, and four children bare been born of 
their union, one son and three daughters: Mabel, 
Laura Elola, Sidney Glenn and Edith LaHue, all 
born in Milton. Mr. Humphrey is a member of 
the Order of Knights of Pythias, belonging to 
.lackson Lodge, IS'o. 28, K. P., and a Republican 
in politics. 




HOMA.S R. SMPriL an extensive farmer and 
stock- raiser located on section 20, Polk 
Township, came lo Jeflferson County in the 
spring of 18-1.5, from Hancock County, In(L, where 
in 1830, he first opened his eyes to the light of day. 
He was the sixth child born unto David and Nancy 
(Davis) Smith, both of whom were natives of Vir- 
ginia. The famil}' became residents of Jefferson 
County, Iowa, in 1845, and the parents continued 
to here make their home until called to their final 
rest. Mr. .Smith first bought about four hundred 
acres of land but added to this by subsequent pur- 
chase. He was a man of excellent business al)ilil}- 
and became an infiuential citizen of the commun- 
ity. 

The subject of this sketch acquired a limited 
education in the schools of Hancock County, Ind., 
an<1 Jefferson County, Iowa, after which he assisted 



in opening up a farm for cultivation. On attain- 
ing his majority, he began life for him.sclf on a 
farm comprising one hundred and sixty acresof raw 
land which he jjlaced under fence, transformed into 
fertile fields and improved by the erection of goo<l 
buddings, etc. In 18G(;, he w.as married, the lady 
of his choice being Miss Nancy Muse, daughter of 
Warner and Martha (.Stewart) Muse, and Mrs. 
Smith like her parents is a native of Virginia. Her 
father is now deceased, but her mother is still liv- 
ing and makes her home with her daughter. 

Since coming to this county, Mr. Smith has re 
sided upon the old homestead. After his father's 
death, he purchased a half interest in the farm 
which he still owns and operates. His landed pos- 
sessions aggregate nine humlred and twenty acres 
in Jefferson County, the greater part of which he 
uses for pasturage as he raises a large amount of 
stock. In this branch of his business he has been 
quite successful, it netting him a good income. 
Throughout the years of his manhood he has been 
blcssetl with prosperity and is now numbered 
among the wealthier citizens of the county. His 
business abilities are above the ordinary; shrewd 
and far sighted, he considers well before he makes 
a bargain and then does not come off loser, neither 
does he make the othe'- party lose by the trans- 
action for he is fair and honest in all his dealings 
and finds no need to resort to strategy to accom- 
plish his end. Socially, he is a member of Abing- 
don Lodge, No. 104, A. F. <t A. M. and hi3»wife is 
a faithful member of the Christian Church of 
Abingdon. He takes quite an active part in edu- 
cational matters and in politics is a stalwart sup- 
porter of Democratic principles. 

I'nto Mr. and Mrs. Smith have been born three 
children and the famil3- circle yet remains unbroken, 
though the elder two have married and gone to 
homes of their own. Nathan, the only son, married 
Miss LillieSchoolen and is now engaged in farming 
in Polk Township; Martha is the wife of Jones 
Johnson, a resident farmer of the same township, 
and Myrla is still with her parents. The children 
have been provided with good educational advan- 
tages, such .IS to fit them for the practical duties of 
life and have become useful members of society, 
Mr. Smith resided for two years under the lerri- 



538 



PORTRAIT AND liKXlRAPIIICAL AIJU M. 



torial government of Iowa and has made his home 

in tlic State during its entire existence as such. He 
is widely'and favorably icnown and the friends of 
the family are many. 



ON. MOSES BLACK is numbered among 
)i the pioneer settlers of Jefferson County, of 

^ 1844, and from that time until his death 

^X "'"S proniin'Mitly identified with its history, 
growtli and advancement. He was born in Adams 
County, Ohio, September 26, 1801, and was a son 
of Samuel and Jane (Maliafifcy) Black. He was 
of .Scotch-Irish descent, his paternal grandfather, 
James Black, having emigrated to America from 
the North of Ireland, and settled in Westmoreland 
County, Pa. He w.'is horn in Londonderry, of the 
Emerald Isle, in 1732, and wedded .Sally William- 
son. Their son Samuel Black married Jane iMa- 
liafFey and their imion was blessed by the birth of 
Moses Black, the subject of this sketch. 

Having attained to mature jears, our sulij<ct 
was joined in wedlock on the 30th of August, 1827, 
in Ohio, with Nancy Glasgow, and during their 
residence in the Bucke^'e .Stale, they became par- 
ents of .six children, as follows: .Sarah J., who is 
now the wife of C. W. Gage, of Fairfield; William 
G.. who m.nrried Rachel Stever, and resides in Fair- 
field Township; Rhoda M., wife of J. G. Burkhart. 
of Locust Grove Tt)wnship; Selina, who died at 
the age of two years; James Madison, who married 
Emelinc Rider, and is living in Fairfield; and Pau- 
line, who died at l!ie age of twenty years. After 
the birth of the last named daughter, the family re- 
moved to Jefferson Countj-, and the following chil- 
dren were here born: Catherine, who die<l at the 
age of twenty-two years; Susanna, who is the wife 
of George McRea, of Fairfield; Haddassal) M.. who 
is living in Fairfield; Francis, who died in infancy; 
Moses Walker, who married Catherine Averill. and 
resides in Fairfield; and Robert Theodore, who 
died at the age of twenty-two years. 

It was in 1841 that Mr. Black first left his na- 



tive .State; journeying Westward, he at length lo- 
cated in Brown County, HI . where he remained 
until the S|)ring of 184 1, which witnessed his ar- 
rival in .lefferson County, Iowa. He made a set- 
tlement in I)es Moines Township, and continued 
to own and operate that farm for nineteen years, 
when in 1863, he sold out and purchased a farm 
north of Fairfield, where he resided until his death 
May 1. 1867. In his early life he was a ship car- 
penter, hut his later 3ears he devoted exclusively to 
agricultural pursuits. His wife, who long survived 
hira, died on the 14th of October, 1880. at the age 
of seventy-two years. 

During his entire residence in this community. 
Mr. Bl.ack was regarded as a prominent and inlluen- 
lial citizen, highly esteemed for his sterling worth 
and strict integrity. In his early manhood he be- 
came a member of the I'nitcd Presbyterian Church 
and continued one of its faithful workers for fortj* 
years or up to the time of his death. He w.as hon- 
ored by being made the first County Judge of 
Jefferson Count\', under the system of county or- 
ganization that went into effect in 1 >■■.") 1. He was 
an aulislavery Whig in early life, and while serv- 
ing as County Judge, aided in the organization of 
the Republican parly in Iowa, at Burlington, and 
was one of those who look part in the informal 
meeting in that city in 1863 for the purpose of or- 
ganizing the party. He had little taste for public 
otlice, and accepted the County Judgeship with re- 
luctance, but having been elected to the ollice, he 
displaced the same fi<lelity to duty which ever 
marked his career, whether as a |)ublic or private 
citizen. He was an industrious, upright, honorable 
man, enterprising and public-spirited, and was 
most highly respected by all who knew liim. 



i^^j^iiiii 



\l^LISHA H. SKINNER, banker and general 
|l^ merchant of Birmingham, is a native of 
/ILa^ that town, his birth Iftiving occurred on the 
24th cf October, 1846. His father, Charles D. 
Skinner, was born in Chautauqua County, N. V., 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



,-)3r) 



May 21, 1816, and when thirteen years of age re- 
moved with his parents to Holmes County, Ohio. 
In I8.'3'.t, he came to this county a single man and 
took a claim near Birmingham. Soon afterwards, 
however, he met a lady whose l)an(\ he sought in 
marriage — Miss Nancy IJarncs. and on the 12lii of 
November, 1840. tlu'3' were united in marri.age. 
Mrs. Skinner was a native of Holmes (,'oiinty. Ohio, 
and with her parents came to Iowa in IH.'ilt. Mr. 
Skinner made farming his life work. He took a 
lively interest in politics, though not for sellish 
ends; adhering to the doctrines of the old Whig 
l)ait_v until the rise of the Republican party, when 
he joined its ranks. In 1850. he made a trip to 
California, where he was engaged in mining for 
some three years. Returning once more to Iowa, 
he resumed his former calling, which continued to 
be his occupation until laying aside the duties of 
life, he was called to his final home. He died on 
the 24th of February. 18it0, in the faitli of the 
Meth;.dist Episcopal Church, of whicli he had been 
a member for forty-seven years. His wife and 
seven children survive him. while five of the fam- 
ily have passed on before. 

Our subject was the fovirth in order of birth. 
On the farm he learned the useful lessons of indus- 
try and energy and in the |)ublic schools and Mc- 
Arthurs Academy, of Birmingham, he acquired a 
good English education. Although seventeen 
years of age, in June 1863, he enlisted in Company 
C, of the Eighth Iowa Cavahy. and from Daven- 
port went to Nashville, Tenn.. and then on tlie 
Atlanta Campaign, participating in nearly all the 
engagements from Chattanooga to Atlanta. He 
was in the famous Kilpatrick raid, where a good 
part of his regiment was captured though he was 
more fortunate. Having returned to i>ashvillc, 
reorganized and received fresh horses, the com- 
mand marched to the Tenne'jsee River to harass 
Gen. Hood in his movements. Having taken part 
in the battle of Spring Hill and Franklin, they 
went into Kentucky and were remounted, after 
which, returning, they participated in the battle of 
N.ashville. driving Hood beyond the Tennessee 
River. In a cavalry charge near Tuscaloi)sa, Ala., 
Mr. Skinner received an almost fatal wound, a ball 
Striking him at the lower part of the left ear and 



passing through his neck. Falling from his horse 
he was left for dead, not however without some 
kiiid-hcirteii rebel appropriating his hat, coat and 
shoes. He was found by a negro and taken to a 
house near by. When (Jen. Forrest and iiis staff 
came up, the surgeon said it was not north while 
to parole him as he would die before morning. 
But not so, after remaining tliere some three weeks, 
the rebels took liini from his bed and made him 
walk thirty-two miles the first day under a 
summer's sun. Faint and exhausted, he laid 
down on the ground and told his captors that 
he would rather die than go farther. He was 
then put on a horse and taken to Columbus. 
Miss., but four d.ays later was removed lo 
Jackson, Miss. One morning a rel)el oHicer 
ordered him to be ready to travel by one 
o'clock and at that hour he was put into an ambu- 
lance to be driven awaj-, whether he was to be made 
a victim of retaliation or not was impossible to tell. 
After driving nearly all d.ay. he w.i.s informed that 
he was being taken to Natchez to exchange iiim 
for a Confedeiate prisoner they wanted, but as 
there was no one there having authority to make 
such a change, it only remained to him to be driven 
back again. As soon as it was sufflcienlly dark he 
sprang from the ambulance and took to the wooils. 
His pursuers were unable to catch him and by one 
o'clock that night he was within the Union lines. 
He presented himself to (len. Davidson who gave 
him a pass to Cairo, 111., where the Christian Com- 
mission furnished him with clean clothes, an in- 
estimable gift. On the first boat he went to Nash- 
ville, where he met some of his comrades from 
Andersonville (irison. Together the3- joined their 
command in Macon. Ga.. where he remained un- 
til mustered out at the close of the service in 
August. 18G5. 

After receiving his discharge at Clinton. Iowa, 
Mr. Skinner returned to Birmingham and once 
more resumed peaceful pursuits. For a time 
he was employeil as clerk liy the firm of Moss 
(t Pitkin, and later was a salesman for the latter 
gentleman, Mr. Moss having retired. After clerk- 
ing for ten years, he was admitted to partner- 
ship with Mr. Pitkin, which connection he has since 
continucfl with the exception of one year. They 



540 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



flo an extensive mercantile and banking business 

anil are rank(-il among llie fplerprising citizens of 
llie place. 

At Hiiininghani on the 4lli of NovenibiT. 1866, 
Mr. .^kiiiiiei- was unite<l in marriage with Miss 
Alice (;ibl..s, a native of Tip))ecanoe County, Ind., 
anil unto tlu'ni were born live ciiildren, but one 
died in infancy. The living]are Walter G., Elfie M., 
Bert and Nellie. Mrs. Skinner is a'member of the 
Methodist Episcopal Church. rolilically, Mr. 
Skinner is a Republican. During the second term 
of Gov. Larabee's administration, he was commis- 
sioned Licntenant Colonel on his staff. He is a 
member of tlie G. A. R. Post, of Birmingham, of 
which he lias served as (Jnartcrmnster since its 
organization and lias also been Treasurer of the 
city and school fund for a number of years. 

He takes a prominent part in the political affairs 
of his county, but without desire on his |)art of 
official recognition ; He is accounted one of (he 
foremost business men of Southeastern Iowa, and 
the reputation which he has gained as a man of 
enterprise and sterling worth is certainly well 
merited. 



^^ 



,^^ 'JEPIIEN D. FELLOWS is engaged in 
^^ firming and stock-raising on section 36, 
V^^ Van Burcn Township, Van Buren County, 
where be owns a good farm, comprisino- 
some four hundred and lifty-two acres of land. A 
man of practical yet progressive ideas he keeps 
abreast of all improvements, and his home with its 
surroundings indicates the thrift and enterprise of 
its owner. Mr. Fellows was born in Luzerne 
County, Pa., on the 3d of October, 1833, being the 
fourth in a family of nine children whose parents 
are Asahel and Susannah (Harrison) Fellows. They 
wei-e both natives of the Keystone State, and there 
on the 7th of May, 1827, their marriage was cele- 
brated. Asahel Fellows made farming liis life oc- 
cupation and followed that pursuit in Pennsylvania 
until 1836, when he emigrated to the Territory of 
Michigan, but not being satisfied to untke a iion;e 



in tiiat locality, in Xovend)er of the samej j'ear he 
continued his journey to Van Buren County, Iowa, 
and here purchased a claim located on section 31, 
V;in Buren Township. The following year he 
biougiit his family- to the home which he had pre- 
pared, an<l here during the remainder of his life he 
continued to reside. He became an inlluenlial 
citizen of the community, and at his death, which 
occurred March 19, 1869, friends and neighbors 
felt that the^' had suffered a great loss. He also 
look an active part in political affairs, voting with 
the Democratic party. While a resident of Penn- 
sylvania he served in the State Militia for seven 
years, and was also a regularly enlisted soldier in 
the War of 1812. His wife survived him a num- 
ber of years, dying on the 30th of November, 
1888. Of their family of children, the following 
yet survive — Whiting A., who is now married and 
resides in Van Buren Township; Mrs. Elvira A. 
Hinkley, of Clark Countv, Mo. ; Stephen D., of 
this sketch; and William M. V. B., who is mrirried 
and makes his home in Van Buren Township. 

The p.'iternal grandparents of our subject were 
Abiel .and Catlierine (Mann) Fellows, both natives 
of Connecticut and of English descent. The faniil}' 
dates its residence in America back to Colonial days, 
and Abiel Fellows gallantly served his country dur- 
ing the War for Independence. On the maternal 
side our subject is of German and Welsh descent. 
His mother's father was Stephen Harrison. 

In the usual manner of farmer lads, Stephen 1). 
Fellows s[)ent the days of his boyhood and j-outii. 
The educational ad van t.ages which he received were 
veiy limited, in fact, bis school life covered a pi;- 
riod of several years, though he never attended 
but one full terra. At the age of nineteen years 
he began life for himself, taking charge of his 
father's farm, and displaying in its management 
ability and busines!: knowledge which would have 
done credit to a man farther advanced in years. 
From that time without interruption he has devoted 
himself to agrieullnr.al pursuits. lie aided in open- 
ing up and clearing a farm for his father, after 
which he performed the same task for himself, and 
he is now the owner of -1.52 acres of highly im- 
proved land which yields to him a good income. 
He raises good grades of stock, niakiiii; a siiecirdty 



I'ORTR^VIT AM) HIOCRAI'IIICAL ALBUM. 



541 



of Sliort-lioin catUe, ami li;is all tlic impiDVCMiients 
and eonven-iencps known to the agiii-iilUiialist of 
the nineteenth eeuluvy. 

It was in 18G2, in Van Buicn County, that Mr. 
l'"ello"'s Icfl to the niarriajje altar, MLss Ann Howen, 
a native of Wales, anfl a daughter of Thomas and 
.Sarali (Iloiikins) liowen, both of whom were born 
in the same country. In 1817, accompanied by 
their family, they left their native land for America, 
crossing the Atlantic in a sailing vessel. After a 
pleasant voyage of forty-five days they dropped 
anchor in the harbor of New York, but did not 
coiitiiuu" iii the metropolis; but made a settlement 
in Pennsylvania. Some five years later, in 1852, we 
lind them in Van Buren County, Iowa, and in 1857 
they removed to a farm in "N'an Buren Township. 
Mining was the life occupaticm of Mr. IJowen, 
and in 18G9 he was called from the toils of life, 
dying in Mahaska County*, Iowa. Mis wife sur- 
vived him eight j-ears, and was called to lier final 
rest in 1877. By the union of Mr. and Mrs. Fel- 
lows, eight children have been born, of whom seven 
are now living. The eldest, A. G., is married and 
resides on the home farm; A. U. is married and 
makes his home in Auburn, Cal. lie completed 
his literary education by graduating from the 
lUoomlield College; 8. G. was graduated from the 
.School of Pharmac}', of Chicago, in whicli city he 
is now carrying on a drug store; Chloe, T. H., S. 
L. and Kco are still with their parents. 

Among the representative men of the county is 
numbered Stephen D. Fellows, who from the days 
of his early boyhood has m.ade his home in this 
community, lie is acquainted with every ph.ose 
of pioneer life, and sli-sred in the hardships and 
trials which come to those who make homes on the 
frt)ntier. The first day which the family spent in 
the county Ihej' were surrounded by four hundred 
Indians encamped upon their claim, and the red 
men were not unfrKjuent visitors at their home for 
some years afterwards. The greater part of the 
land at the time was wild and uncidtivated, the 
homes were mostly log cabins, oxen were used in 
breaking land, and tiie condition of affairs at that 
day gave little promise of the present prtisperity 
and progress of the county, but the work and ef- 
forts of the pioneers have wrought a wonderful 



transfonnatii)n, and in all possible ways Mr. Fel- 
lows has aided in this beneficial change. The cause 
of education has found in him a special friend, and 
he did effective service, while on the .School Board. 
He W!is also a member of the Slate Militia and 
holds a commission as Second Lieutenant. The moral 
interests of the comnuinily receive his supp<jrt, 
and both he and his wife are members of the Chris- 
tian Church, of IMe-asant Hill. He takes consider- 
able interest in civic societies, is a member of the 
Msisonic fraternity, the Odd Fellows' lodge, and 
the Keosauqua Encampment, belonging to Keo- 
sauqna Lodge, No. 10, A. F. & A. M., Jloore 
Chapter, No. 23, R. A. M., and Keosauqua 
Lodge, No. 3, I. O. O. F, For four consecu- 
tive years he was Worthy Master, and also filled 
the various offices in the Chapter and Odd Fellows 
society, representing the latter in the Grand Lodge. 
He is an inlluential member of the Democratic 
party, and in 1849 was honored by the nomination 
for Representative, but his party being in the 
minority' was, in consequence, not elected. His 
public and private life are alike above reproach, 
his name is honored throughout the community, 
and as one of the leading citizens of the county he 
deserves representation in this volume. 



•■i*!;^ ^'i>--^*#5^<?«f-<5«^- 



-ALTER ATKINS, a physician and surgeon 
of Lebanon, Iowa, commenced the prac- 
tice of medicine in that place in 1887. He 
has resided in Van Buren County during the 
greater part of his life but is a native of Dela- 
ware. The family is of French extraction and 
was founded in America during the seventeenth 
century. Many f»f its members were seafaring 
people and through several generations they con- 
tinued their residence in Delaware. The father 
of our subject, Henry Atkins, was born in that 
State and in his youth learneil the carpenter's 
trade which he there followed until l«fiO. when he 
came to ^'an Buien County, Iowa, with his family. 
He settled iu Milton, nlu're he engaged in the 




54-2 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



furniture business until liis deatli, wliich occurred 
in April. 1869, at the age of forty-eight years. He 
ni.irried .Mary .losepli, who was a native of Dela- 
ware and whose father served in the Revolutionary 
War. .She still survives her husband and makes her 



the community where they make their home and 
rank high in the social world. He is a worthy and 
enterprising citizen and one who manifests a com- 
mendable interest in everything iiertaiiiing to the 
welfare of town and county. He votes with the 



home in Milton. The children horn unto this Democratic party and socially is a member of Lone 

worthy couple are Walter, whose name heads this ! Star Lodge, No. 155,1.0. O. F. 

sketch ; .James who is married and resides in 

Jackson Township. Van Burcn County ; I<la, wife 

of Oliver Burton, of Osceola County. Iowa ; and 

Thcodosia, wife of George Russell, of .Milton. 

The birth of our subject occurred in 185.S. and 
when a lad of seven summers he was brought by 
his parents to Iowa. The family located in Milton, 
and in its schools Jie began his education which he 
completed by a full course of study in the Troy 
Academv, of Troy, Iowa. His school life being 




HARLP:.S E. MO.SIIER. the owner of seven 
hundred and sixty acres of lanil in ^'an 
Buien County, his home being situated on 



section 12, Jackson Township, has resided in this 
ended he entered upon his business career as a i community since 1854. In Seiitember of the prcvi- 
leacher in Jackson Township, and in connection , ous year he came West and made purchase of three 



with the prosecution of that profession engaged in 
liaiuting and plastering for some five years. It 
was histlesire to make the practice of medicine his 
life work and by the pursuit of those vocations just 
mentioned he aetpiired the funds necessary to fit 
him for his chosen work. In 1881, he entered the 
Medical Institute, of Keokuk, Iowa, and after two 
years of thorough study was graduated in the class 
of 1880. He then opened an office in the vicinity 
of his old home. It is said that one cannot make 
a success of such a business in the community 
where they have been reareil, but if this rule holds 
good in mo.st eases Dr. Atkins is an exception to 
it. By close application to business as a supple- 
ment to his skill and abiliiy, he has won a large 
and lucrative [iractice which is increasing from 
year to year. The p.ist year, 1889, netted him 
ii!.?.5l)0. 

An important event in the life of Dr. Atkins 
oeourred in Davis County, Iowa, in 1877, when he 
w.ns joined in wedlock with Miss Catharine Oliver, 
daughter of James and Mercy (Noel) Oliver, who 
were natives of Ohio and emigrated to Davis 
County, Iowa, in 18C.'5, where they now reside. To 
this union have been born three sons — Perry, now 
a lad of twelve years ; Clarence, ten years of age ; 
and Clyde who is now in his seventh year. The 
Doctor and his wife are well known throughout 



hundred and twenty acres of land in this county, to 
the cultivation and improvement of which he 
h.as since devoted his energie^s with, excellent 
success. 

Mr. Jlosher was born on the 29th of August. 
1820, in \'ermonl. of wliicli Stale his parents, Alan- 
son and Eunice (Emerson) Mosher, weie also 
natives. His nialernal grandfather was one of the 
leading citizens of Windsor County, \t.; in fact, 
he had a State wide reputation, especially in the 
Congregational Church, of which he was a promi- 
nent and active memU-r. He was a contractor and 
builder by trade, and in connection with that 
carried on farming and operated a saw and grist 
mill. Mis business was an extensive one and he 
became a wealthy citizen. The father of our sub. 
ject spent his entire life in the (ireen Mount.iin 
State, his death occurring in 1825. His wife 
survived him many years, dying at the age of 
seventy-five years. They were parents of four 
children, the youngest of whom died in infancy. 
Our subject is the only one of the' family now liv- 
ing; George C. died in Vermont some years ago; 
and Francis T. died on the 2nd of September, 1890, 
of heart disease, in Rochester, \i. He was then 
seventy-two 3ears of age and was one of the most 
prominent and leading citizens of that community. 
His popularity was due to his upright life which 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALHUM. 



543 



won liim the respect of all with whom he catne in 
contiR-t. He lilled various offices of trust in the 
L'ounty and his [lublic and private career were alike 
above reproach. lie became a well-to-do citizen, 
which leaves his family in comfortable circum- 
stances. A wife, four children and his brother 
Charles were left to mourn the loss of one who had 
never forfeited a claim tt) their affectit)n, but had 
bound himself to them bv closer lies of love as the 
years rolled along. His memory will ever be 
cherished by the brother left behind, until he too 
shall have crossed the dark river. 

Mr. Mosher siient the days of his liojhood and 
youth in his native county, whence he came 
diieclly to Van Buren Countj', Iowa. Having 
previously attained to mature years, he chose as a 
helpmate on life's journej- Miss Caroline T. Whit- 
ing, their union being celebrated in .lul^', 18.j0. 
The lad}- was born November IG, 1832, and was a 
daughter of Stephen A. and Rebecca (Morris) 
Whiting. Seven children were born unto them, 
four sons and three daughters, namely: Naiioleon, 
Charles, George, Frank, Eunice, wife of George W. 
(iillson; Rebecca and Carrie. After a happy wedded 
life of thirty-six years Mrs. Mosher passed away in 
188G, dying of consumption. Mr. Mosher was 
married the second lime, to Lutherie Culler Herve}', 
in November, 1887. and in whom he finds a most 
agreeable companion and helpmate. 

As before stated, on his arrival in this county 
Mr. Mosher purchased three hundred and twenty 
acres of land in Jackson Township, and the follow- 
ing year purchased an adjoining eighty acre-tract. 
To 'his he has added from time to time as his 
financial resources have increased, until lie is now 
one of the most extensive landowners of the county, 
his possessions aggregating seven hundred and sixlj' 
acres, the greater part of which is under a high 
state of cultivation and finely improved. In con- 
nection with general farming he is also engaged in 
stock-raising, which branch of his business has 
proved very profitable, he keeping from thirty to 
fort}' head of horses, from forty to fifty head of 
cattle, and seven hundred head of sheep of Ihc 
meilium breed. He is a member of the Anti Horse 
Thief Association, and in politics is a Republican 
when questions of State or national importance arc 



brought up for settlement, bnt at local election.s he 
votes for the man who he thinks will best fill the 
otllce. Mr. Mosher is an independent thinker. He 
arrives at conclusions unbiased by the judgment of 
Others, but independently determines each (piestion 
for himself after careful consideration. To others 
he allows the same privilege, and although he may 
differ radically on many points, those opiKjsing 
him recognize his fair and upright spirit and render 
him respect accordingly. 

Mr. Mosher, though not a soldier, was one of the 
most active supporters of the I'nion cause. He was 
a member of a home company known as the -True 
Blues," whose object was to guard the interests of 
the Fnion at home. Mr. Mosher was the Captain 
of the compan}'. 



'AMES MORSK, proprietor of the Morse 
House, of Birmingham, and a son of Titus 
and Bedie (Doolittle) Morse, claims Con- 
necticut as the .State of his nativit}-. He 
was born in New Haven County. October 15, 1822, 
and his training was such as the sons of pioneer 
farmers in Iowa received. On reaching his major- 
ity he commenced his career as a farmer and on 
the 22d of .March, 1850. his niarriage with .Mrs. 
Elizabeth .1. Robertson was celebrated. The lady 
is a daughter of Dr. .lames A. anil NaiK y (Hrook- 
hart) Kandall. The Randall family was established 
in America during Colonial days by ancestors who 
emigrated from England. The great-grandfather 
of Mrs. Morse settled on Staten Island and her 
grandfather served under Gen. Washingti)n in the 
War for Independence. He was forced on board 
an English man-of-war that he might be compelled 
to serve in the British Army, but deserting. b« 
joined the Colonial troops. He married .Margaret 
Adams, a cousin of .John Adams, our second Presi- 
dent, and from Virginia, where their union was 
celebrate<i, they removed to Kentucky. Dr. Ran- 
dall was born in an Indian fort in .Shelby County, 
Ky., April 2t), I7.S8, and in Bowling (ireen, Ky., 



544 



PORTRAIT AND HIOGRAIMIICAL ALBUM. 



he nmiriuil Miss Brookliart., the wedding taking 
phice October 28. 1817. Slie was born October 13, 
\7!)2. in Virginia near the Nutural Brid<^^e. Her 
parents came from Cermany to America with their 
respective families in childhood, were married in 
Virginia and afterwards eniinraled to Kcntiu-ky. 
The year 1822 witnessed tlie removal of Dr. Ran- 
dall and his family to Clark County, Ind.. where 
for many years they made their home; coming in 
1850. to Van Bnren County, Iowa, they here spent 
the remainder of their lives. He served through- 
out the War of 1812. and was a successful physician, 
taking rank among the leading pr.actilioneis in the 
community where he resided. In politics, he was 
first a Whig and later a Kcpuhlican and hoili he 
and his wife accepted the faith of the Methodist 
Church, in which he held membership for many 
years. The Doctor died in his home in Binningliam 
in March. 1858, and on Christmas Dny following 
she too passed away. 

In the family of Dr. and Mrs. R;uiil:ill were ten 
children, live sons and live daughters, of whom five 
are yet living, namely: Mrs. Morse, the honored 
wife of our subject; Mrs. IMary A. Pralher, a resi- 
dent of Ottumvva; ,Josr'[)hine and .Sara J., who are 
living in Birmingham, and .lames .1., who makes 
his home in Nebraska. 

Mrs. Moise was born in Kentucky, September 1, 
1 SI 8. By her first husband she became the mother 
of fi)ur children, all of whom arc deceased. One 
son, William .M., wiio served in the Thirteenth Iowa 
Infantry during the late war. lie was fatally 
wounded in the charge on Vicksburg and died in 
tlie liospital at Memi)his, Tenn. Unto Mr. and 
Mis. .Morse have been born four children: Mary. I., 
wife of E. A. Kerschener, a resident of A[)panoosc 
County, Iowa; James Friink, a stock slii[)per of 
Douds Station; and the other two died in childhood. 
They also have an adoi)tcd daughter, Ella C, who 
has found a home with them since she was four 
years of age. 

From 1850 until 1S,)2, Mr. Morse was engaced 
in mcrchaiidising in Birniingham, after which he 
farmed for two succeeding years. In 1854 he re- 
turned to Birmingham and for the past thirty-two 
years has been employed as' book-keeper in thf 
Birmingham Mills. His long continued service 



not only indicates his elHcieney from a business 
point of view, but is an enviable mark of approval 
of honesty and faithful service. Both Mr. and 
Mrs. Morse arc members of the Methodist Church, 
in which he has been Steward for fort}' years and 
also recording Steward for many years. Politically 
he was a Democrat until the war, since which time 
he hns been identified with the Republican party, 
b}' which he was elected Justice of the Peace, hold • 
ing the office eight years. For the same length of 
time, Jlr. Morse has entertained tiie public at his 
excellent hotel, the .Mor.se House, which is the best 
in Birmingham and one of the best in this [lart of 
the State. 



-^-*-^ ^ 



I 



ff SAIAH HARRIS, a leading business man of 
Milton and the President of the Milton District 
Fair, has carried on the grocery business at 
this place since 1872, a longer continuous period 
than any other engaged in that line in the city. 
The life record of Mr. Harris is .as follows: He was 
boi'n in Preble Count}-, Ohio, March 29, 1814, and 
when a lad of seven years, in 1851, accompanied 
his parents to Iowa, whore he was reared to man- 
hood on a farm and received a common school 
education. When only seventeen years of age he 
responded to his country's call for troops and on 
the '.Hh of October. 18G1, enlisted as a member of 
Company D, Third Iowa Cavalry, being mustered 
out October 9, 1865, after four years of active ser- 
vice. During that tiui') he was three times wounded, 
first on the 7th of March, 18(52, at Pea Ridge, where 
he received a gunshot wound; again in Benton, 
Ark., in November, 18(53, he sustained a gun-shot in 
the left hand and a third time in the fall of 1864 
at the battle of Big Blue. Mr. Harris participated 
in the capture of Vicksburg, was in the two battles 
of Jackson, Miss., and in the engagement at Pea 
Ridge, Guntown, Tupelo, Miss., and Columbus, 
Gn., under Wilson.- He was made Orderly to (ien. 
A. J. Smith, and was appointed C^uarlermastcr of 
his regiment, about three weeks before the battle 



PORTRAIT AND BIOORAPIIICAl- AI.IUl.M. 



545 



of Tupelo, and later liajl eharge of about sixty nien 
guarding the division suppl_y store. 

On his return from the war Mr. Harris engaged 
in farming in Davis County'. Iowa, six miles west 
of Milton, where he continued operations until 
1872, when he removed to the cily and embarked 
in the grocery business as before staled. Kigliteen 
years has he continued in that line of trade and the 
large patronage which he has received has made 
him one of the substantial citizens of the place. 

On the 13th of December, 1866, in Pulaski, Iowa, 
Mr. Harris led to the marriage altar Miss [^eah 
Stover, a native of Smithfield, Ohio, and a daugh- 
ter of Jacob Stover. Two children were born of 
their union but both died in iufaney. This worthy 
couple are members of the Methodist Episcopal 
Church of West Union, and in the social world arc 
held in high regard. In politics, Mr. Harris is a 
Democrat but has never sought official distinction. 
He was one of the organizers of the Jlilton District 
Agricultural Society in 1881, held the office of 
President for tlu'ee years and is its hrgest stock- 
holder. His enthusiasm and energy in sui)port of 
the enterprise has done much to inrure its success. 
.Socially, he is a Master Mason, holding member- 
shii) in Aurora Lodge, No. 50. A. F. & A. M.,of 
Milton. Mr. Harris is a man of sui)erior business 
and executive ability and is recognized as an en- 
terprising, energetic and successful business man. 
whose integrity is unquestioned and whose judg- 
ment is alw.ays respected. 



■^"i-v-iw 



OLOMON II. MYERS, a progressive 
fanner and leading stock-raiser of I'olk 
Townshi|), .TetTerson County, residing on 
section 14, is a native of Washington 
County, Pa., and a son of Stephen and Sarah 
(Huffman) Myers. The days of his boyhood and 
youth were spent in the county of his nativity 
and with tlie other members of the family he emi- 
grated to the West in the spring of 18.J5. Making 




a Idc.itidii 11 .KtTerson County he embarked* in 
farming which he continued for seven years, when 
in the spring of 18G2,'he crossed the plains to 
Idaho with an ox-team, arriving at his 'destination 
after four months and eight days of travel. On 
reaching Idaho he turned his attention to mining, 
which he folloneiTfor four years, being compara- 
tively successful in that line of work. He then re- 
turned to .lefferson Count3' and made purchase of 
eighty acres of improved land along the citstern 
boundary of Polk Township. That farm continued 
to be his home (or some twenty \-ears, during which 
time many|iinprovements were added, while the well 
cultivated fields gave evidence of the thrift and 
industry of the "owner. About 1886, Mr. Myers 
e-\clianged that farm for his present home on sec- 
tion 14. embracing a (piarter section of Land, all 
nicely improved, with a fine dwelling, good barns 
and outbuildings, well kept fences and everything 
necessary to a model farm of the nineteenth cen- 
tury. In connection with the cultivation of his 
land he .also devotes considerable attention to 
stock-raising, and being a believer in the improved 
breeds of farm stock, is raising tlioroughl)red Short- 
liorn cattle and an excellent grade of horses and 
hogs. 

The month of March. 187(1. witnessed the mar- 
riage celebration of Solomon H. M3-ers and Mrs. 
Arena (Ramey) Ilinton, daughter of Jacob and 
.Sarah (Longerbone) Ramey, who are numbered 
among the pioneer settlers of Jeflferson County. 
By this union there is but one child now living, 
Hiram R.. who is still with his parents, but they 
have also reared an adopted daughter, Jessie 11. 
Ilofifman, (•, niece of Mrs. Myers, who has been an 
inmate of their home from infauc}- and shared in 
the love and care given to their own child. Mr. 
Myers is a stalwart supporter of Reimblican prin- 
ciples and is one of the earnest workers of the 
county for the success and welfare of his party. 
A well balanced mind and an upright life make 
him an infiuential man and in political affairs and 
other interests he is a leader. He has ever tjiken 
an active |)nrl in the promotion of any enterprise 
for the benelit of town and county, and has done 
not a little toward the improvement of the town- 
ship in which he makes his home. His residence 



546 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



in the couiU}- covers a period of tliirty-five years 
ami has been an era of prosperity to him. His 
wife, an cstimalik' lady, is a ineiiibor of tiio Baptist 
Church of Aliingdon anrl botii are held in hijjh re- 
spect by all who know them. 






WILLIAM A. WOODSIDE. who is num- 
Iji bered among the honored pioneers of 

^^n® Jefferson County, is the owner of a fine 
farm of two hundred and seventy acres on section 
30, Buchanan T()wnshi|), where he has lived for 
many years. His home is situated on a ii.ntural 
bnililing site, and overlooks the city of Fairfield. 
There, for along period, he has watched the growth 
and progress of the county, in whose development 
he feels a deep interest, and has seen its progress in 
the various lines of industr3', educational, moral 
and social growth. 

Mr. AVoodside is a native of Kentucky. His 
birth occurred on the ;ilst of March, 1823, and he 
is a son of .John J. and Sarah (Bagby) Woodside, 
who were married in Kentucky, but removed to 
Tennessee during the infancy of our subjsct, and 
thence emigrated to. McDonough County, HI., 
when he was a lad of some six years. In earlj^Iife 
Mr. Woodside learned the blacksmith's trade, 
which he made his chief occupation until his re- 
moval to Illinois, when he turned his attention to 
farming. His death occurred in that State at the 
age of sixty-five years, and his wife died in Ma- 
haska County, Iowa, at the advanced age of eighty- 
four years. Both were active church workers, and 
their consistent Christian lives won for them many 
warm friends. Tiic generosity of .Air. Woodside 
led him to go security for friends who neglected 
or could not make payment, and he thus suffered 
heavy losses. In politics he was a supporter of 
Democratic principles. 

The subject of this sketch was the eldest son and 
fourth child in a f.nmily numbering seven sons and 
three daugliters, all of whom lived to mature years. 
He received very limited educational advantages, 



but experience, observation and reading have made 
him a well-informed man. When quite 3'oung it 
was his desire to learn the lilacksmith's trade, but 
his father did not wish him to fullow that occuiia- 
tioi!, and he was forced to turn his energies into 
some other channel. He celebrated his nineteenth 
birthday b^- his arrival in .Jefferson County, and 
never yet has he had occasion to regret his deter- 
mination to become a citizen of this community. 

On the 23d of .March. 1843. Mr. Woodside was 
uniteil in inarriage with Martha A. Warner, who 
was born in White County, Tenn., on the 11th of 
April, 1824, and is a daughter of William and Mar- 
garet (Howard) Warner, the former of English ex- 
traction and the latter of Scotch-Irish descent. Her 
parents weie natives of Virginia, but were married 
in While County, Tenn , whither they had removed 
with their respective families in childhood. Later 
they removed to Montgomery County-, Tenn., and 
in 1836, in a wagon drawn b}' oxen, made their 
way to Hancock Count}', III., but after two \'ears 
became residents of Iowa. They settled on Cedar 
Creek in Henry County, near AVarner's Ford, which 
was named in honor of Mr. AA'^arner, but sickness 
caused them to leave that home, and in the spring 
of 1840 we find them in Jefferson County. Mr. 
AVarner was a stone and brick mason by trade, 
but entered land and engaged in farming after 
his settlement in the Territory of Iowa. Man}' 
hardships and trials incident to pioneer life were 
borne b}' the family, such as living for two 
months on potatoes and squashes, and taking their 
corn to mill in Hancock County, III. Mr. AA'arner 
was an indexible adherent of Democratic princi- 
ples, and for many j'ears served as Justice of the 
Peace. He d'ed in the sixtieth year of his age, 
and his wife had passed her sixtieth birthday when, 
in Mahaska County, she was called home. 

Having married him a wife, i\Ir. AA''oodside then 
began preparation for making a home to which he 
might take his bride. Going to the woods, he cut 
the logs for a cabin, and splitting them in halves 
made a floor. In this rude dwelling they began 
their domestic life, but those daj's were among 
their happiest, for children came to bless their 
home, and friends, although widely scattered, were 
truly friends, and the sociability which then ex- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



547 



isted stood in place of tlie formality of to-day. 
Their housekeeping oiitlit cost Imt ^5, yet mutual 
confidence and love were among tlie furnisiiings of 
their home and made bright the otiierwise dark 
places in pioneer life. By industry and good man- 
agement they have accumulated a handsome prop- 
erty. The first purchase of Mr. Woodfide con- isted 
of but eighty acres in Fairfield Township, but as 
before stated he now owns a well-improvcil farm 
of two hundred and seventj- acres adjoining the 
corporation limits of the city of Fairfiekl. 

I'nto Jlr. and Mrs. Woodside have been born 
fourteen children, two of whom dicil in infancy, 
and a third at the age of sixteen years. In order 
birth the}- arc as follows: .Fohn W., a re.«idcnt of 
Fall Kiver, Kan.; William N.; Robert C., a farmer 
of Buchanan Township, Jefferson County; Fran- 
cis A., who is engaged in farming in Jefferson 
County; Sarah E. ; Mary J.; Douglas M.. who ope- 
rates the home farm; Laura E., Alice J.. Alb?rt. a 
painter by trade; and Maggie. 

Mr. Woodside has been a life-long Democrat, 
and cast his first Presiilential vote for Polk. His 
wife is a member of the Free Methodist Church. 
Their home Is noted for its hospitality, and the 
members of the houselioM rank high in the social 
world. 




EUBEN ELLMAKER, farmer and stock- 
? raiser of I)es Moines Townshi|), residing on 
\\\ section 3, located in Jefferson County on 
'^^ the otii of June, 1838. He was born in 
Perry County, Pa., June 3, 1819, and is a son of 
Adam and Elizabeth (Ramer) Ellmaker, both of 
whom were also natives of the Keystone State and 
were of Ilollund descent. The father was born in 
Lancaster County, but when about twenty j'ears of 
age removed to Perry County, where he continued 
to make his home during the remainder of his life. 
He died on the 1st of .September, 183C, an<l his 
wife died June 23, I81fi, when our subject was hut 
twenty days old. They were parents of thre3 
children. Euos accompanied our subject to this 



county in 1838. but in 1 853 removed to Oregon, 
whore he spent [his last days^ dying on the Ctb of 
.May, 1890. The only daughter, Eliza A., also 
wont to Oregon, where she married and died. 

Reuben Ellmaker is the only one of the family 
now living. He spent his boyhood days under the 
parental roof and in I'erry County was reared to 
manhood. In 18;i7, he attained to malure years 
and the following June made a Irij) to what is now 
Jefferson County, Iowa, where he purchased a claim 
of one hundred anil sixty acres, mostly prairie 
land. In May, IS IK. a log cabin was erected 
thereon, which is still standing, one of the few 
landmarks of pionesr d.ays left to give evidence 
of the rapid growth and advancement made by the 
county. His farm now coniijriscs two hundred and 
twenty acres, one hundred and eight}' of which is 
under fence and has all the improvements necessary 
to H model farm. There may be found a good 
dwelling together with substantial outbuildings, a 
fair grade of stock and the latest farm machinerj-, 
all of which indicates that the owner is a man of 
progressive ideas who keeps abreast with the times. 

Tlie 21sl of February, 1843, Mr. FHlmaker was 
united in marriage with .Miss Clarinda C. Mosier, 
daughter of Jacob and Nancy (Rigny) Mosier, who 
are numbered among the pioneer settlers of this 
county of 1842. Her father was born in Pennsyl- 
vania, her mother in Virginia, and the birth of 
Mrs. Ellmaker occurred in Orange County, Ind., 
in January. 1823. Mr. Mosier was not long per- 
mitted to enjoy his new home, for in 1844 his death 
occurred. His wife survived him until 18C0. when 
she too passed away. Mr. and .Mrs. Ellmaker are 
parents of six children, but two died in infancy: 
Cyrus is living in Eugene City, Ore.; Solon mar- 
ried -Miss Harriet Fumphrey, and is living on the 
old homestead; Maria L. is the deceased wife of 
Charles Stansbury; and Clarinda is the wife of 
John L. (iilman, of Des Moines. 

.Mr. Ellmaker is an active Democrat in politics 
and served for a number of years as Justice of the 
Peace and in other townshi|) oltices, proving a ca- 
pable and trusted ollicial. Both be and his wife 
are members of the Old .Settlers Society and since 
its organization, he has never failed to be present 
at its meetings. His wife is the oldest ladj- in 



548 



POUTUAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



years of residence, with one exception, now living 
in the townsliip. He was present at the gathering 
of tlic Indians whi-n the treaty was made in 1842 
and also witnessed their removal. They have seen 
the development of the county almost from its in- 
fancy, have watched with interest the progress here 
made and have borne their siiare in its upliuilding 
and advancement A more extended account of 
their pioneer experience would certainly prove of 
interest for they bore the hardships and trials inci- 
dent to pioneer life, lived in a log cabin in true 
pioneer style, with Indians for neighbors and with 
miles of uncultivated prairie or unbroken timber 
between them and the nearest settler. 



'^^'- 



^^ 



■if/OIIN AVILKIN, one of the pioneers of .lef- 
fersou County, residing on section 28, 
Buchanan Townsliip, and an enterprising 
farmer, was born on the banks of the river 
Thies in Yorkshire, England, on the Duke of 
Northumberland's estate, May 7, 1804, and his 
parents were Robert and Ann (Moses) Wilkin. In 
early life his father learned the drug busiiiess and 
to operations in that line ever after devoted the 
greater part of his attention. His grandfather w.as 
a servant to the Duke of Northumberland, and when 
he became too old to work longer was provided 
with a comfortable home in which he spent his last 
days. The mother of our subject was a grand- 
daughter of one of the leading merchants of Stock- 
ton. His father traveled as collector for a wholesale 
drug house for some time and after residing in 
London for man}' years removed to Glasgow, Scot- 
land. 

Our subject was the fourth child in a family of 
live chiidren, numbering two sons and three daugh- 
ters. He received a good education and made such 
rapid advancement that before he was twelve years 
of age he had studied both Latin and Greek. When 
a lad of fourteen years he commenced to learn the 
cabinet maker's trade at which he served until at- 
taining his majority. Having worked for some 



time in neighboring towns, he then went to Liver- 
pool, where he was employed for three years. He 
was in lliat city at the time when the Duke of 
Northumberland wasilischarged from the position 
of Lord Lieutenant of England, and his servants, 
among whom were an uncle, an aunt and two cousins 
of our subject, passed through Liverp<Jol to Lon- 
don and .Mr. Wilkin rode one of the Duke's horses. 
In 183"), acconn)anied by his mother and sister 
with her husband, Robert Stevenson, he sailed for 
the United States, and at length arriving safely on 
the shores of the New World made his way to 
I'tica, N. Y., where he worked for a short time at 
his trade but the cold weather came on and healing 
such unfavorable reports of tjie severity of the 
winters in that region, he determined to go further 
south and made a location in Cincinnati, Ohio, 
whore he lived some six years. Wishing to marry, 
but afraid he could not support a wife, he asked his 
employer how long he could give him work and on 
receiving the reply that he could have employ- 
ment as long as he wished it, the question was soon 
solved and in Cincinnati he led to the marriage 
altar Miss Beatrice Nicholson, who was born in 
Yorkshire, near Leeds, England. Miss Nicholson 
was a dressmaker in the city of London, ani became 
acquainted with Mr. Wilkin when she was on a 
visit to friends in Essex. She came to America 
about a month la^er than INIr. Wilkin, and lived for 
a time at Waterviile, N. Y., but at the time of her 
marriage was engaged in dressmaking at Cincinnati, 
Ohio. Her father was a prominent farmer and 
stock-raiser in the old country where he spent his 
entire life. His v/ife however came to America ac- 
companied by two sons and two daughters, but a 
fifth child continued to reside in the old country-. 
In the spring of 1839, Mr. Wilkin purchased 
three horses and accompanied by two brothers-in- 
law started for Central Illinois, but on arriving at 
their destination found land so high in that region 
that they continued their journey westward to 
Jefferson County, Iowa. Here Jlr. Wilkin made a 
claim in Lockridge Township, and the following 
year brought his family to the home which he had 
prepared. He fixed up his cabin and had but just 
moved into it when his wife was called to her final 
rest, dying in March, 1841. She left three chil- 




« 



DR. GEO. S, GUERNSEY. 




MR<5. DR. GUERNSEY. 



1 



PORTRAIT AND BIOORAPIIICAL ALBUM. 



.-.J.) 



chen, James, who died in earl^' life; Jennie, now at 
home, and Beatrice who died at tlie age of forty- 
two _veais. The mother was a uiemlicrof the Kpis- 
copalian Church, to wliieh denomination Mr. Wil- 
kin also belonged. 

In a financial sense Mr. Wilkin lias prospered 
since his arrival in Jefferson County. The un- 
broken land he plowed and planted, made improve- 
ments and to-da}- is the owner of a good farm of 
ninety-two and one-half acres which yields him a 
golden tribute for the care and cultivation which he 
bestows ujjon it. In his political afliliations, he was 
for some time a Republican but for the past twenty 
years has supported the Democratic partj-. He held 
the office of Township Clerk of Lockridge Town- 
ship, and is esteemed as an upright and valued cit- 
izen and as a worthy progressive farmer wlio takes 
a deep interest in tiic progress of his county and 
who is always willing to aid in its advancement. 
More than half a century has passed since he first 
located a claim. He lived for seven years under 
the territorial government of Iowa and has made 
his home in the State during its entire existence as 
such. AVhen he came, Indian wigwams marked the 
site of man}- a white man's home of to-da}' and the 
work of civilization seemed scarcely begun, and it 
is to tiie pioneers that the greatest credit is due for 
the wonderful progress which iias been made by 
Iowa and her people. 




R. GEORGE S. Gl'ERN.SEY, a retired 
l)hysician who is extensively engajjed in 
farming near Lebanon, Iowa, his home 
being situated on section 2, Jackson Town- 
siiip. has been a resident of Xan Buren County 
since the 1st of October, 1848. Emigrating west- 
ward from Rochester. Windsor County, Vt., he here 
located and began the [iraclice of medicine, which 
he followed until within a few years, but he is now 
practically living a retired life, attending only to a 
few of his old |)atrons who refuse, while he has 
health, to employ any other i)hysician. 



The Doctor was born in Rochester, Vt., July 27, 
1822, and is of English descent. His parents wt-re 
Ncwson and Ruth (Jefferson) Guernsey, the latter 
a relative of President Thomas Jefferson ; and hia 
grandparents were Eldad W. and Sarah (Perry) 
Guernsey. His grandfatiier was born March 20, 
1770, and his wife on tlie 2;tth of November of the 
same year. Their family numbered nine children, 
the eldest of whom, .Sarah, was born October 1, 
17'.)2; Newson. May 7, 1794; Hiram December 11, 
1796; Lyman, July 12, 17'J'.»; Mary, October 1, 
1801; Ilannal), April 25, 180.'}; Amanda, Janu- 
ary 9, 180.0; Tripiiena. January I, 1807, and Gard- 
ner, August 22,1810. The father of this family 
was a tanner and shoemaker by trade, and in con- 
nection with those occupations carried on farming. 
His death occurred December 20,,1810, but his wife 
survived him thirty years, dying in 1840. 

Newson M. (Guernsey learned the tannei's and 
shoemaker's trade with his father, and continued to 
engage in those pursuits as a means of livelihood 
until his emigration to Van Buren County, Iowa, m 
1857. He spent his hast days iu Bloomfleld, where 
his death occurred April 21, 1879. His wife had 
passed aw.ay some ten years previous. Their mar- 
riage was celebrated October 15, 1820, and unto 
them were born ten children, six of whom are living 
at tills writing (in the fall of 1890): Louisa, born 
August 10,1821, is deceased; George S. is the second 
in order of birth; Joseph, born September 14, 1824, 
was drowned in a tub when a year old; Ruth, born 
July 23, 1826, is deceased; Elizabeth, born August 
14, 1827, is now the wife of J. <i. Mrgrath; Clarii=sa 
Jane, born September .31, 1830, is the widow of Orin 
Harvey, of Rochester, \l.; Samuel, born July 9, 
1833, died in infancy ; Julia A., born in .Septem- 
ber, 1835, is the wife of John Warner, of Des 
Moines Township; Mary A., born November 8, 
1838, is the wife of John Evans, of Davis County, 
Iowa, and Henry C, born .laniiary 14, 1842, is a 
resident of Bloomlield, lowa. 

The subject of (his sketch was reared to manhood 
in his native State ami in his youth received ex- 
cellent school privileges, com()leling his literary 
education by a year's course in the academy of 
Potsdam, N. Y. Having arrived at years of ma- 
turity, on the lltli of December, 1815, he was 



554 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



joined in wedlock with Miss Olive M. Hazen, 

d:iu<,'liUT of Elder and Abigail (Thomas) Hazen of 
Woodstock, Vl. Her father was of Scotch descent, 
and her mother of English extraction. Mrs. Guern- 
sey is a descendant of very old New England 
families. On her father's side she traces her ances- 
try back by direct descent to Edward Hazen, who 
came to Massachusetts Bay in 1639. Her mother's 
family trace back to the landing of the Pilgrim 
l<"athfrs,'^who came over in the "Mayllower", the 
founder of the family in America being one of that 
number. Her great-grandfather on the maternal 
side was a soldier in the Hevohitit)nary War, and 
her grandfather, Elias Thomas, built the first frame 
house in Woodstock, Vt. Unto her parents were 
born nine children, two of whom died in childhood, 
and the following seven grew to maturity: Ursula, 
a resident of Woodstock, Vt. ; Daniel T., a farmer 
of Michigan; Edwin R., a i)racticing physician of 
Woodstock, Vt.; Jasper, also a resident of Wood- 
stock; Laura W., wife of tiie Rev. Moses Kidder, of 
tlie same city; Jacob T., wiio is engaged in farm- 
ing near Saratoga Springs, N. Y., and Olive M., 
wife of our subject. Eleven chililren were born 
unto the Doctor and his worthy wife, but only five 
of the number grew to mature years, four of whom 
arc still living: Julia, the eldest, is the wife of Har- 
vey Dean, of Chicago, 111.; Laura, George W. and 
Jasper are at home. Minnie became the wife of 
Cliarles Owen, of Toledo, Ohio, but is now de- 
ceased. 

The Doctor began the study of medicine in 
March, 1842, with J. II. Phelps, M. D., of Roches- 
ter, Vt., in whose oflice he remained two 3-ears, 
after which he continued his reading under the 
direction of Prof. B. R. Palmer, ot Woodstock, Vt., 
a professor in the Woodstock Medical College, and 
attended three courses of lectures in that institution, 
from which he was graduated in June.l8'4.'j. He first 
opened :ui otlice :ind hung out his sliingle in Felch- 
ville. Vt.. liut after practicing a year at that place 
he returned to his native city, where for two years 
he engaged in the |)ractice of the medical profes- 
sion. Believing that the West would furnish su- 
perior advantages to young men. he determined to 
l-y his fortune on its broad prairies and started for 
Ihe new State of Iowa, making the journey mostly 



by steamboat. After four weeks of travel he ar- 
rived at his destination, finding on his arrival that 
the country was a wild ami sparsely settled region, 
the home of a few sturdy pioneers, whose dwellings 
were log cabins, but who had come with a firm 
purpose of making homes for themselves and fam- 
ilies in llie West. In 184;* the Doctor purchased 
twenty acres of land, which formed the nucleus 
around which his other possessions have gathered. 
Meanwhile he engaged in the practice of medicine 
and steadily built up a good trade. In the fall of 
1858, he went to Keosauqua and purchased an in- 
terest in a drug-store, which he carried on until 
1866, when he sold out. Six years previous to this 
time he had bought a sixty-acre tract of land, that 
upon which the old homestead now stands. On 
disposing of the drug business he made another 
purchase of one hundred and twentj' acres and 
other purchases have increased his landed posses- 
sions until he is now the owner of four hundred 
and ten acres. In 1868 the Doctor erected his com- 
modious residence, one of the best in the township. 
Three years later he went to Council Bluffs, where 
he purchased a drug-store and fine residence, moving 
his family thereto, but after a year he sold his store 
and devoted himself exclusively to the practice of 
medicine. His residence in that city covered a period 
of six 3'ears, and on leaving Council Bluffs in 1878 
he went to San Francisco, Cal., as one of the incor- 
porators and stockholders of the Continental Oil 
and Transportation Company. He was made Presi- 
dent of that organization and for some time served 
as manager in San Francisco, but after two years 
he returned to Council Bluffs, where a succeeding 
twelvemonths was passed. About 1881 he returned 
to his farm where he has since resided. 

The Doctor and his wife have an elegant home 
in Jackson Township, which presents rather the 
appearance of a city mansion than a country dwell- 
ing. It is commodious, nicely arranged, substan- 
tially built, hut above all tastefully and comfortably 
furnished. Everything which goes to make life 
worth tlie living is there found, and in the enjoy- 
ment of the fruits of former toil the Doctor is now 
spending his days. Large and beautiful trees of his 
own planting throw their delightful shade across 
the lawn. The outbuildings are also in keeping 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



witli the resiilcncL'. Beside the fine, large barn 
there is a iiarness and l)u<;^fy house, granaries and 
such other buihllngs as are necessary for the care 
of the stcck and grain raised upon this iioiiiestead. 
Througli iiis practice and oilier business interests 
the Doctor lias acqiiind ids liandsorne possessions 
which stand as inoniimciits to liis thrift and enter- 
prise. Himself and family arc members of the 
Presbyterian Church of lyclianon, and he holds 
membersliip in Council iUuffs Lodge, A. F. ik A. iM. 
His political views are in harmony with the prin- 
ciples of the Democratic party and he has served as 
Supervisor of his county, and for tliree years was 
President of the Agricultural Society. The Doc- 
tor is vtij- poi)iilar throughout the county, is an 
acknowledged leader among his neighbors, and in 
public assemblies is almost invariably called upon 
to act as chairman. 



|-<^^. 



"S^^AVIKR NADY. one of the leading import- 
3(K ers and raisers of Percheron horses, owns a 
■^'^^ flue stock farm situated on section t. Cedar 
Township. Jefferson County. In the business in 
which he is engaged he has gained a wide reputa- 
tion and ileserves no little credit for his efforts to 
advance the grade of horses in the county-. His 
life record is as follows: On the Isl day of April 
1830. in Belfort. France, he was born unto Alex 
and Teressa (Pininger) Nady. who spent their en- 
tire lives in the old country. His father, a farmer 
by occupation, died when our subject was about 
eighteen months old. As the family was in com- 
fortable circumstances the children were liberally 
educated and Xavier had the advantages of a nor- 
mal course. He worked at home until twenty-one 
years of age and being the eldest of the family 
and consequently their support, was exempt from 
military service. 

On the 25lh of January. 18.')o, Mr. Nady was 
united in marriage with Miss Julia Demenn who 
was born in the same neighborhood as her hiishand, 
on the 28lh of June. 18-is. With her p.irents. 



Peter and Anna (Prevost) Demenn and a brother 
she came to America. The emigration of Mr. 
Nady to this country occurred in 1«4«, in which 
year he sailed from Havre to New Orleans, reach- 
ing the latter city on the IGtIi of March, after 
fifty-four days spent on the water. He coniiniied 
liis travels until reaching Fairfield, where he began 
preparations towards securing a home. He bad to 
"grub" up the roots before he could plow an<l plant 
and says hatl he known such work awaited him lie 
would never have crossed the water. Soon after, 
ward he went to St. Louis, where he obtained em- 
l)ioyment in a lumber yard. He also met a cousin 
in that city and the da^'s passcil more ))leasanlly 
than when working at uncongenial labors among 
strangers in Iowa. Later he went <lown the Mis- 
sissi|)pi River to Baton Rouge but not finding em- 
ployment as he had anticipated, walked twenty two 
miles to Plaquemine. arriving at that place with 
lifty cents in his pocket. He then worked on a 
plantation and afterwar<l built and operate'l a sugar 
mill but later had the misfortune to have his foot 
crushed by a falling timber which disabled him for 
any einploymenl for some lime. Subsequently he 
became overseer on a plantation but when the war 
broke out he left the .South and returned to his 
family, who in 18G0, ha<l taken up their residence 
in Fairfield. On again reaching Jefferson County, 
Mr. Nady purchased sixty-four acres of land and 
began tin; development of a farm, the boundaries 
of which have since been extended until now three 
hundred and seventy acres pay tribute to his care 
and cultivati(jn. 

Four children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. 
Nady, the elilest of whom, Adolph, was born in 
France, November 1'.), 185.'», and died January L5, 
18(}G; Mary J., born in France, March IG, 18.37, is 
the wife of Alphonse Pequignot, a resident of 
Cedar Township: Louis born in France, July 17, 
18.'>8. and Xavier, born in Cedar Township, Janu- 
ary !•. 1863, are still at home. 

All of the numbers of the family are Catholics, 
and in politics, Mr. Nady is a Democrat lint not 
strongly partisan. He has the distinction of being the 
first man in the county to import a Percheron h(>rse. 
In March, 188.'). he imported Prince \'iclor. one of 
the best animals ever brought to this section of the 



556 



I'OKTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 




Stale. In all, lie lias inude six importations, bring- 
ing with liini thirty-sovcu horses, the best procur- 
able. It will thus be seen that he has done uiuoh 
to improve his county in this particular. Fie thor- 
oughly uiiderstanils his business, is an excellent 
judge of luM-ses and has made his importations a 
paying investment. 



^l^fDi <^ IJ ^ ic^^3:§=^ 



f^HITING A. FELLOWS. Willi the his- 
tory of Van Buron County the name of 
\j/ Fellows is inseparably connected, and the 
work which they have done for its upbuilding and 
advancement is worthy of honorable mention in 
this voln.ne. The family is of English origin, and 
was founded in America during Colonial days. 
The paternal grandfather of our subject, Abiel 
Fellows, was a native of Connecticut, and through- 
out the entire Hevolutionar^- War aided in the 
struggle for independence. At an early day he 
emigrated to Pennsylvania, becoming an influential 
citizen and prominent politician of that State. He 
was honored with a number of important otHces of 
trust, and proved himself worthy of the confidence 
reposed in him. He married Catherine Mann, who 
was also a native of Connecticut, and after many 
years residence in the Keystone State they emi- 
grated to Kalamazoo, Mich., in 1835. Both have 
long since passed away. The maternal grandpar- 
ents of our subject were Stephen and Mary (Dod- 
son ) Harrison, also natives of Connecticut. The 
father of Stephen Harrison served in the Revolu- 
tionary War. and was a descendant of him to whom 
Piesident Harrison traces his ancestrj-. The grand- 
))aienls, who had lived in Luzerne County, Pa., 
from childhood, were there married and spent the 
remainder of their lives upon a farm. 

Asahel Fellows, father of our subject, was born 
in Luzerne County, and on attaining to mature 
years was united in marriage, on the 8lh of May, 
1827, with Susanna Franklin Harrison. After 
some nine years spent in the Keystone State they 
removed to Schoolcraft, Mich., and in the spring of 



1.S37 made a settlement in what is now Van 
Buren County, but was then comprised within the 
bounds of the Territory of Wisconsin. They set- 
tled on a claim on the Ues Moines River, and also 
purchased land, from which Mr. Fellows developed 
a line farm, that in later years paid a. golden tribute 
to his care and industry. He was one of the 
prominent citizens of Iowa in that early day. He 
took an active part in forming the State, also as- 
sislfcd in the organization of the county, and by 
his support and influence was instrumental in 
much of the progress made in those earl'ier years. 
He was an active politician, and a stalwart suppor- 
ter of Democratic principles. Socially, he was a 
member of Keosauqua Lodge, No. 3, I. O. O. F., 
and his wife held membership in the Christian 
Church of Pleasant Hill. After a long and ustful 
life he was called to his final rest on the 19th of 
March, 1869, and his wife, who was a most estima- 
ble lad}' and a true helpmate to him, passed awaj- 
in 1888. 

Whiting A. Fallows was a lad of eight summers 
when he accompanied his parents on their emigra- 
tion to Iowa. In his boyhood he had for his com- 
panions the sons of the celebrated Indian chief, 
Black Hawk, whom he accompanied on many 
a hunting expedition. He became familiar with 
their language, and the most friendly' relations 
existed between the lads. His educational advan- 
tages were necessarily limited, as the opportunities 
which a new settlement affords in that line do not 
compare favorably with those of older communi- 
ties. He spent much of his time in aiding his 
father in the development of the home farm, and 
when twenty-one j'ears of age left tlie parental roof 
to begin life for himself. In that year, 1849, he en- 
gaged in cutting wood along the Mississippi River. 
In 1852, attracted by the discoveries of gold in 
California, he crossed the plains to the Pacific 
Slope, where he engaged in mining with reasonable 
success for some six years. Desiring once more 
to be among his family and friends, in 1858 he re- 
turned to Keosauqua b^- way of the Isthmus of 
Panama and New York City and scitled upon the 
farm which is still his home. 

Mr. Fellows was joined in wedlock with Miss 
Susan ¥,. Dodson, one of the fair daughters of Van 



PORTltAlT AND lilUURAl'lIK AL AMilM. 



c 



Buren County, on the 12th of Mnrch, 1862. Their 
union, however, was eelchratefl in Somorvillp, 
Soineiset Counl3-, N. J. The lady is a daughter of 
.Styles Kiolianl and Caroline Matilda (Harrison) 
Dodson. They were natives of Luzerne County, 
Pa., where their marriage was celebrated in 183(5. 
The same year they emigrated to Michigan, and 
the following year came to Van Buren County, lo- 
cating in Henry Township, wliere Mr. Dodson en- 
tered land and improved a farm. His deatii 
occurred in 1845, leaving to his widow the care of 
four young children. To provide for their sup- 
port she opened her lioineas a school, and engaged 
in teaching for several years, when she returned to 
Luzerne County, Pa., to make her home with her 
father. The children of the family were: Melvina 
Augusta, who was born in the Territory of Wis- 
consin, now Henry County, Iowa, and died in 
Pennsylvfinia, in 1862; Mrs. Mary E. Bateman. of 
Philadelphia; Susan, wife of our subject; and 
Caroline Matilda, who was graduated from the 
Woraen'.<i Medical College, of Philadelphia, and is 
now engaged in^ practice in that cit3'. and is also 
President of the National Woman's Health Asso- 
ciation of America. 

Mr. and Mrs. Fellows began tlieir domestic life 
upon a farm which is still their home — a highly- 
improved quarter-section of land. The fields arc 
well tilled, good buildings have been erected, and 
a glance at the home shows that the work of farm- 
ing is carried on in a systematic and methodical 
manner. But one child has come to bless the 
union — Ilarrj- D., who is still with his parents. 

Following in the footsteps of his father, Mr. Fel- 
lows supports the Democratic party, but has never 
been a politician in the sense of ofHce-seekiug. He 
served in the State ^lilitia as First Lieutenant, and 
has been a member of the School Board. No en- 
terprise calculated to upbuild the community fails 
to receive his hearty support and co-operation, but 
as a valued citizen, he lend.s a helping haufl to all 
worthy undertakings. 

Mr. Fellows was one of the leaders in organizing 
the Orange in \:u\ Buren County, was a firm be- 
liever and supporter of the principles of the same, 
and was also an ardent supporter of the F'armers' 
Alliance; is at the present time actively engaged 



in organizing a Farmers' .Mutual Insurance Com- 
pany, is one of its ollicers, and is a firm believer in 
co-operation among all classes. He is a member of 
the Indepenlent Order of Oild Fellows, and a 
firm believer in the principles of Friendship. Love 
and Truth. 



-^ 



HARLES LLOYD MOSS, proprietor of the 
Birmingham saw and grist mill, is a busi- 
ness man of many years experience who by 
industry, enterprise and perseverance has made his 
way in the world anil .icquired a re[)utation for hon- 
esty and fair dealing. He was born in Cheshire, 
New Haven County, Conn., Ma}' 7, 1831, and is a 
son of Titus and Bedie (Doolittle) Moss. The fam- 
ily is of Scottish origin, and was established in New- 
Haven County, Conn., prior to the Revolutionary 
War, by ancestry from Scotland. The family name is 
spelled in no less than four ways. Moss, Moose, 
Mors and Morse. The latter seems to be the spell- 
ing usually adopted. The grandfather, Joel Morse, 
was a lumberman and a woolen manufacturer of 
Cheshire, at which place Titus Morse was born in 
1799. He was reared in his father's factory and on 
reaching manhooil married Miss Doolittle of Che- 
shire who belonged to one of the New P^ngland 
families. About 1827, they removed to Wayne 
Count}'. N. Y., where he followed the noble pur- 
suit of farming. There his wife died in the prime 
of womanhood being about twenty-six years of 
age. Afterward, having married Mrs. Almira .Saii- 
ford, nee Barker, .Mr. Morse emigrated with his 
family to Kalamazoo Count}', Mich., in 1833, but 
after a residence of four years in that locality, they 
sought a home in Van Buren County, Iowa, arriv- 
ing at their destination on the 8th of May, 1837. 
The father purchased a claim of three hundred and 
twenty acres lying three-fourths of a mile southwest 
of Birmingham, from .lames G. Richie, and as soon 
as the land came into market secure<l a patent from 
the Government. In the early day of their arrival, 
nature wore her most primitive robes, the bnmd 
prairies had not been upturned by the plow, nor had 



.■>o8 



I'ORTKAIT AIS'U BIUUliAl'lllCAL ALBUM. 



llie wooilinan's ax awakened the echoes of the for- 
est. The few people of the settlement were very 
widel}' scattered and in true pioneer st\-le they 
lived. Though not surrounded by the luxuries 
which we to-day possess, their lives were fully as 
happy and joyous, for a feeling of brotherliness ex- 
isted among neighbors which is almost unheard of 
to-day and the pleasures were participated in liy all 
with the heartiest enjoyment. Mr. Morse and his 
first wife were members of the Episcopal Church, 
but after his second marriage he joined the Metho- 
dist Church, in which Mrs. Almira Morse held mem- 
bership, and in which he became an active worker, 
being Class-Leader for many j-ears. He was liberal 
to the extent of his means in the support of church 
and charitable work ami w.as ever ready to speak a 
word of encouragement or extend a helping hand 
to those less prospered tiian himself. Politically. 
he was a Democrat until tlie rise of the Republican 
|)arty, to the principles of which he ever afterward 
adhered. He died in Biriningliam at the age of 
fifty-six years and his wife at the age of sixty-six 
years. Two sons, Charles Llf)3'd and James, were 
children of the first marriage and by the second 
there were born Reuben, who died in 1839, 
being the first white person wiio died in this vicin- 
ity; Mary, who became the wife of William T. Win- 
ner and died in Fairfield; Mailha. wife of William 
Thompson who resides in Fairfield. 

Until he liiid attained his majority, C. L. Moss 
worked for his parents, receiving such educational 
advantages as the district schools afforded, but when 
he had attained to man's estate he started out in 
life for himself, hiring out to a farmer in the 
neighborhood who paid him the munificent sum of 
$75 a j-ear in return for his services. By a mar- 
riage ceremony solemnized on the 4th of April, 
1«43, Miss Hannah Barnes became his wife. She 
was a native of Ohio, but in childhood came to 
Van Uuren County with her parents who were 
among its pioneer settlers. 

The young couple began their domestic life upon 
a rented farm but after a time Mr. Moss laid .aside 
agricultural i)ursuits and engaged in merchandis- 
ing in Birmingham, from which business he turned 
bis attention to buying and shipping stock. In 
1850, he drove a lc:iiii .urossthe plains to Califor- 



nia, reaching his destination after four months of 
travel. For a year and a half he remained on the 
Pacific Slope selling miners' supplies at Rough and 
Rpa<ly, Nevada County, Cal. Returning liy the 
w.ay of the Isthmus of Panama and the Mississii)pi 
River, he reached Birmingham in 1851. some 
?i.i.000 better off than when, he started. Soon after 
his return, in comi);iny with E Pitkin, and J. T. 
Guinn, he built a large flouring mill at Birming- 
ham to be run by the same power as the sawmill 
which was alreadj' in operation. Things were mov- 
ing along nicely and the business prospered until 
1854. when the entire structure was burned to the 
ground but the gentlemen of the firm, with char- 
acteristic energy, began to rebuild before the smoke 
had ceased rising from the ruins. After a lime, 
Mr. Moss became sole proprietor of the mill. which 
he has owned and operated alone continuously 
since. The grinding department and that devoted 
to the manufacture of lumber are now in operation 
and therein is done an extensive business. This is 
recognized as one of the leading industries of Bir- 
mingham but other enterprises have also occupied 
the attention of Mr. Moss. In 1856, he was one 
of the firm that erected the Birmingham Woolen 
Mill and in 1871, he put in operation a cheese fac- 
tory. It will thus be seen that he has taken an ac- 
tive part in the building up of the manufacturing 
interests of Birmingham. His sawmill never stands 
idle, but through that agency he has furnished a 
vast amount of timber for the Des Moines Valley, 
for the Rock Island and for the Chicago, Ft. Madi- 
son & Des Moines Railroads, whereby employment 
is furnished to some thirty-five hands. It is safe 
to say that he has given work to more laboring men 
than all the rest of the city. He himself has al- 
w.ays been a hard working man, has done an exten- 
sive business and has made a prominent i)lacc for 
himself among the prominent citizens of the com- 
munity who have won respect and confidence by 
their honorable dealings and fair transactions. The 
work of the day is not written down at the time 
but is recorded in his memory and after the labois 
of the day are done he retires to rest and about 
two o'clock rises to record the business of the past 
d.ny. 

Mr. Moss was the first man who shipped hogs 



PORTKAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



059 



from west of the Mississippi River. In December, 

1856, he shipped from Rome, Iowa, then the ter- 
minus of tlio Chic,ig;o, Burlintjton it <iirmc'v I{all- 
road, a lot of f.it Iioks. inleiiding to taki; thcin to 
New York if he could not sell thein at u profit 
this side of thut city. lie had 1.837 head and the 
train was run as a special all the way to New York 
and drawn to Chicago with two locomotives. He 
unloaded at Chicago but could not sell. After feed- 
ing and resting them one flay he loaded them and 
shipped to Cleveland, Ohio, where he unloaded and 
fed and spentanother day. From there he shipped 
to Buffalo, N. Y.. where he unloaded them and re- 
mained a week. Not finding a profitable market he 
proceeded to New York. The market rose and he 
sold out at a price that netted him upwards of 
#2,000 clear profit after all expenses were paid. The 
event caused quite a stir among the stock dealers 
of that city, and at the opening of the Miles House 
(a drover's hotel) on 44th Street, which took place 
while he was in the city, Mr. ^loss was invited and 
made the principal guest of the occasion and had 
to make a speech for them. Horace Greeley sent 
Mr. Robinson, a representative of the Tribune to in- 
terview Mr. Moss, and published an account of man 
and journey, eulogistic of his pluck and enterprise. 
The union of Mr. and Mrs. Moss has been blessed 
with eight children — Mary, wife of Joel JIoss a 
resident of Montana; Thomas, a lumberman of 
Missouri; Kdgar, a stock dealer of Fairfield; Syl- 
vester, twin brother of Edgar, who died at tlie age 
of two years; Abbie. wife of E. J. Honshel, Presi- 
dent of Ilolton College, of Chicago; Albert and 
Charles, lumber dealers of Missouri ; and Kittie, 
wife of J. E. Paxton, of Butte City, Mont. Mr. 
and Mrs. Moss have also twelve grandchihiren. 
This worthy couple, members of the Methodist 
Church, are active workers in the Master's vine- 
yard and give liberally and cheerfully for the ad- 
vancement of any interest whereby the cause of 
Christ may be advanced. Politically, he is a Re- 
publican, but has never sought for official distinc- 
tion, the only office which he has held being that 
of Mayor of Birmingham. Though nearly seventy 
years of age. Mr. Moss has as steady nerves as a 
man of twenty-five. He has never used tobacco or 
Strong drinks and has even abstained from tea and 



coflfee. This, no doubt is, in a great measure, the 
reason for his wonderful strength both physical and 
mental. He has lived an exemplary life and the 
youth of to-day might well take his record as a 
guide, wliiih will point liim on. like a beacon star, 
to success and honor in the future. 



•OSKPH BEELKR, a blacksmith and w.agon- 
maker, of Lebanon, Van Buren County, is a 
native of Iowa. He was born in Lee County. 
I May 28, 1817, and is a son of John and 
Hannah (Vale) Beeler, lioth of whom were natives 
of Indiana. His father was liorn in 1817, and 
having attained to mature years, led to the mar- 
riage altar, in 18.39. Miss Vale, who was born in 
1818. They removed to Lee County, where Mr. 
Beeler died in tjie prime of life, being but thirty- 
four years of age when called to his final rest. His 
wife long survived him, dying at the age of sixty- 
three years. They were parents of four children, 
of whom our subject was third in order of birth, 
and Jacob and Joseph are the only ones now 
living. The former is a resident of Washington 
Territory. 

.loseph Beeler passed the days of his boyhood 
and youth in his native county, where he learned 
the trades of blacksmilhing and wagon-making. 
Going to Garden Grove. Iowa, in 1862, he fol- 
lowed his trade at that place, but the Civil War 
being then in progress, and feeling it his duty to 
aid in the preservation of the Tnion, he enlisted in 
the Third Iowa Cavalry under Capt. J. I). Brown. 
The regiment was commanded by Col. Noble, now 
.Secretary of the Interior under President Harrison. 
Thej participated in a f^w iaiportant engagements 
during that campaign, but in the summer of 1 864 
were engaged mostly in raids against the troops of 
Gen. Forrest. They did guard duty at Memphis 
and participated in the battles of Tupelo and Gun- 
town. In .September of that year they crossed the 
river an<l started on a raid against Gen. Price, 
whom tliey followed llirougb Missouri and Kansas. 



560 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBIM. 



The forces weif then scattered ami the Third Iowa 
Cavalry went to St. Louis, at which place its mem- 
bers boarfled a steamer which was blown up by the 
bursting of a boiler. They afterwards joined Gen. 
Wilson, and with whom they participated in the 
raid through Alabama and Georgia, in which took 
place the battles of Selma. Montgomery, Macon 
and Colmiihus. Their next move was against At- 
lanta, Ga.. where they were mustered out on the 
9th of August. 18C5. Mr. Beeler was present at 
the capture of .TefT. Davis. He was a faithful 
soldier, ever found at his post of duty, and at the 
close of liie war was honorably discharged. 

When hostilities had ceased and tlie troops were 
once more free to return to their homes, Mr. 
Beeler resumed the trade of blacksmilliing and 
wagon-mal<ing in Garden Grove, Iowa, where he 
remained until 1875, when he came to Lebanon 
and piirch.ised his present shop. He is dning a 
general line of tiiacksmithing and general jobbing 
business together with wooden work, and also 
manufactures wagons and buggies. His business 
now yields him an annual income- of -^1,200. He 
is an expert workman in both branches of his 
trade, and by fair and honest dealing he has se- 
cured the confidence of those who give him their 
patronage. 

The accomplisiied wife of 'Mr. Heeler, was in her 
tnaidenliood. Miss Gracie Warner. She was born 
in October. 1863. and is a member of the Presby- 
terian Church. Mr. Beeler is a Republican in 
pt)litics. They have but one child, a little son, 
Stanley. 



RCHIBALD Mcdonald, of the firm of 
McDonald & Meek, was born in Ft. Madi- 
li son, on the 1st of December, 1844, and 
when a babe of three years was brought 
by his parents to A'an Buren County, where he has 
since made his home. In his youth he was liber- 
ally educated, .ind throughout his life has mani- 
fested an interest in the cause of education, and 
done not a little for the schools of this community. 




His primary training was supplemented bj' a course 
in Howe's Academy- of Mt. Pleasant, and for a 
lime he further continued his studies in Oskaloosa 
College. When his school life was ended he took 
up the profession of teaching as his life work. For 
three terms be taught in the district school, and 
then accepted a call as teacher in the public schools 
of Bonaparte, where he remained two years. He 
was then emplo}-ed three j'cars at Vernon, after 
which, about the j'oar 1867, he took a trip to Cali- 
fornia, where he followed his profession during the 
winter at Salmon Falls. After a year s|>ent on the 
Pacific Slope, he returned to his home in \an Buren 
County, and again look rharge of the Bonaparte 
schools. His efforts as a te.acher have been at- 
tended with marked success, he having given 
entire satisfaction wherever employed. In 1874 
he was elected County Superintenflent of Schools, 
of Van Buren County, and wculd have again been 
nominated had he not refused to accept a renoini- 
natiou. His otticial term having expired, in 1878 
he went to Colorado, where he spent two seasons, 
also engaged in teaching. On his return to Bona- 
parte, Mr. McDonald was employed .is a salesman 
until 1881, when he purchased the interest of Mr. 
Johnson in the mercaniile business, the firm name 
being clianged from Christie & Johnson to Christie 
& McDonald. They carried on business together 
for some time, the connection being dissolved only 
at the death of Mr. Ciiristie, when Robert E. Meek 
succeeded to the business as a partner of our sub- 
ject. They now carr\- on operations under the firm 
name of McDonald & Meek, and theirs is one of 
the leading business industries of Bonaparte. 

Mrs. ^McDonald was, prior to her marriage. Miss 
Mary L. Rehkopf. This l.idy was born in Benton.--- 
port, Iowa, but their marri.age was celebrated in 
Wisconsin. One daughter was born of their union — 
Mary M. After eighteen months of happy wedded 
life, the young wife and mother was called to her 
final rest. For his present wife Mr. McDonald 
chose Miss Cora L. Brown, daughter of N. (i. and 
Lctitia Brown, of Bentonsport. Two children have 
been born unto them, a son and daughter — Brown 
Archibald and Gertrude C. 

Mr. McDonald taxes considerable interest in civic 
societies, and is a prominent Mason, belonging to 



PORTRAIT AND HIOGRAPHICAL ALHl'M. 



561 



Bonaparte Lodge, No. 7:3, A. F. A- A. M.; La Fay - 
cttn Chapter, No. 61, R. A. M,, and Cominandery 
No. 28, K. T. Ho was Master of tlie. lodge and 
'i'reasurer and Secretary of the cliapter. and repre- 
sented the local organization in the Grand Lodge. 
'I'lic business abilities of Mr. McDonald are such as 
to win him success, and he is now numbered 
among the siilistaulial citizens of tiie community. 






EVI ANDERSON owns and operates two 
hundred and seventeen acres of land on 

section 34, Lick Creek Township, Van 

Ruren County, where has been his home for many 
years. The Anderson family was established in 
America by Stoddard M. Anderson, the grandfather 
of our sul)ject, who left Ireland, the land of his na- 
tivity, in liie days of his young manhood ami 
crossed the Atlantic to America. lie settled in 
IVnnsylvania, and there married Ellen Johnson. 
When the Revolutionary War broke out he was 
among the first to take up arms against the mother 
country, and fonglit at tiie famous battle of Bunker 
Hill. His wife's relatives were also in the same 
stiuggle. Mr. Anderson was a mechanic by trade, 
and si)ent the greater part of his active life in the 
Keystone State. In 18.'!1 he removed to Oliio, 
where liis death occurred in 18G"2. His w^ife sur- 
vived him and died near Birmingham. Iowa. 

.John Anderson, the father <>f our subject, was 
born in Somerset County. Pa.. P'ebruary 15, 1810, 
l)ut was reared to manhood on his father's farm in 
Ohio. In Holmes County, that State, on the 27th of 
February, 1841. he wedded Elizabeth Harbaugh. a 
native of Ohio, after whicii he began life in earnest, 
continuing his farming operations in the Buckeye 
State uiitil 1846, when, accompanied by his family, 
he emigrated to the new State of Iowa, locating 
near Birmingham, Van Buren County. He at first 
rented land, but as his financial resources increased 
purchased a farm. The prairie was then all open, 
and one could ride miles without coming across a 



fence or settlement to impede his progress. Mr. 
AnrlersoM contimicd to reside in Van Buren 
County until IM.so, when he sold out and removed 
to Kansas, but the year IHKit wjtnesseil his return, 
and he is now living in Lick Creek Township, a 
respected citizen of that community. His wife 
died on the 17th of February, 1K7.J, and her death 
w!js the occasion of sincere grief on the part of 
many friends. Their children were as follows: 
Levi, of this sketch; Benj:imin, who enlisted in the 
Thirtieth Iowa Infantry during the late war, and 
died in the service; .losiah, of Birmingham; .Mary 
E., wife of G. W. Bonnette, of I'nion Township, 
Van Buren County; Charles F. living in Kansas; 
Elizabeth, wife of (George Deal, of IJirmingham ; 
James, of Kansas; Sainanllia, wife of Israel Bon- 
nette, of Union Township: and Annie, wife of 
Melvin Nelson, who resides near Birmingham. 

Our subject has passed almost his entire life in 
Van Buren County. .Mlhnugh only four years of 
age at the time he yet retains a recollection of the 
journey to Iowa, which was nnide by team across 
the country. His childhood days were s|)ent in the 
usual manner of farmer lads, and until twenty 
years of age he remained under the pareutal roof but 
at that time he bade good-bye to home and friends 
to enter the service of his country. His educa- 
tional advantages had been limited, and were some- 
what restricted by his enlistment, but with the 
blood of lievoliitionary heroes flowing in his veins, 
he could not but respond to his patriotic impulses, 
and on the 15th of August, 1862, became a member 
ol Company D, Thirtieth Iowa Infantry, 'llie first 
eng.agenieut in which he participated was an attack 
on Vicksburg, which w.as followed by the battle of 
Arkansas Post and Jackson. Miss. Then came the 
long and trying siege of \'icksburg, which lusted 
two nights, aufl during whicli .Mr. Anderson's regi- 
ment lost heavily. Later occurred the charge on 
Ft. (iibson. which was followed by the battle of 
Chcfrokce Station, where the Colonel of the legi- 
ment and the Captain of Company 1). were killed, 
together with many men. Mr. .Viidcrson then look 
part in the " Battle Above the Clouds." with 
Hooker, followed by tlieengngeuienls at Mi.ssionnry 
Itidge and Ringgold. I'nder (ten. .Sherman he 
fought at Resaca, Dallas. Kenesaw Mounl^iiii, Clial~ 



5G2 



PORTRAIT AND lilOGRAPIUCAL ALBUM. 



tahooehie River, and pailicipated in the siege and 

capture of Allantn, where he was taken sick and 
sent Ijaek to the hospital, lie was discharged June 
17, ISfij, after having served three yenrs, in whieii 
he participated in some twenty liatlles. He faith- 
fully performed his duty tliro\i.£:lioul the entire 
service, but came out of the aruiy with impaired 
health, an<l has never regained the strength of 
former years. 

The first land which Mr. Anderson owned was a 
one hundred and twenty-acre Ir.act given him by his 
father. This he began to operate in 1866, and the 
same year, on the l.Oth of March, ho married Miss 
Margaret .lane AVhaiton, a native of Ohio. The3' 
have become parents of seven chihiren : Flora, born 
March 1, 1867, died at the age of nineteen; Ella, 
born November 13, 1869; Frank, March 12, 1871; 
Zachariah, October •_>, 1874; Lewis. June 7, 1876; 
Roy, November 6, 1880; and Lola. March 15, 
1883. 

Mr. Anderson's farm of one humlred and twent3' 
acres he has increased to a two hundred and seven- 
teen-acre tract, and the greater part of the improve- 
ments which we find thereon stand as monuments 



and married a lady of German descent. Their son 
Christian was born in the Keystone State in 1788, 
and when a lad of nine summers accompanied his 
parents on their emigration to Kentucky, which 
State was then in such a wild and unsettled condition 
that they had to live in forts to protect themselves 
against the Indians. On reaching man's estate. 
Christian Spees married Miss Young who was born 
about 17!)."j in Pennsylvania. Her ancestors were 
of English birth and were among the early settlers 
of A'irginia during Colonial days. In the State 
where their m.irriage was celebrated Mr. and .Mrs. 
Spees continuetl to make their home until their 
lives on earth were ended and they were called to 
the rest prepared for the righteous. Mr. Specs 
made farming the means of maintenance for his 
family, but as a labor of love performed much ser- 
vice as a local minister in the Methodist Church. 
He was ably seconded, in his noble efforts bj- his 
wife and the influence which they exerted for good 
w.as certainly not without its results. They died 
in 1852, wiliiin a day of each other, of cholera. 

The early history of Dr. Spees is a record of 
struggles to overcome the disadvantages which 



of his own thrift and industry'. lie is a Republican i surrounded him in his youth. He had almost no 



ill politics, and cast his first Presidential vote for 
Lincoln. Like a true American citizen he feels an 
interest in political affairs, has frequently attended 
the conventions of his party and labors for its suc- 
cess, but has never sought or desired public prefer- 
ment for himself. 



'''-^^^:^;^^^^^i^<!^^f^ 



^OHN HRYCE SPEES. M. I)., retired physi- 
cian of Birmingham, w.as born in Bracken 
County, Ky., Octolier 16, 1814, and is the 
only survivor in a family of seven children, 
six sons and one daughter, of whom he was the 
eldest. The parents were Christian and Marj' 
(Young) Spees, and the family is of German and 
English extraction. The paternal grandfather of 
our subject, a native of German^-, crossed the 
Atlantic and located in Pennsylv.auia, where he met 



educational opportunities, yet he was of a studious 
nature and determined will and by private study- 
he became well informed, fitting himself for the 
profession of te.aching, which he followed several 
j'ears. Every moment which he could find from 
his school duties he devoted to reading medicine 
and under the direction of his cousin. Dr. S. J. 
Spees, and his brother. Dr. T. M. Specs, of Hills- 
boro, Ohio, he continued his studies. In 1843 and 
1844, he attended a course of lectures in the Ohio 
Medical College of Cincinn.ati. His first visit to 
the Territory of Iowa occurred in 1813. when with 
the desire to better his financial condition he made 
a claim near Ottumwa upon which he built tv.-o 
cabins. He then returned and took the course of 
lectures before mentioned but during his absence 
his claim was jumped and on his return, finding 
that he could do nothing to regain possession of 
li/s propert3', he started once more for Ohio, but 
fate had other things in store for him and the West 
was yet to be his home. He believed that the 
village of Birmingham offered fair opportunities 



POHTUAIT AND BIOGUAIMIIC'AL AIJUM. 



563 



for one of bis profession and nt that place opened 
an olHce but at the end of the first year lie found 
himself ^50 in debt for liis board and because he 
could not pa}', liis landlord drove him off. How- 
ever he had not the money with which to go else- 
where and it was necessary that he remain where 
he was. Perseverance, energy and ability at length 
won him a patronage and for fifteen years lie 
practiced very successfully in this community. 
Throughout the country round about, calls were 
made for Dr. Spees and often he would ride as 
much as fifteen or twenty miles. He not only 
manifested an interest in his profession as the 
means whereb}- he might gain a liveliiiood, but his 
sympathy for his patients and genial and pleasant 
words proved an excellent tonic in the sick room 
and made liim many warm friends. As his financial 
resources increased he made judicious investments 
in land and he is now the owner of one thousand, 
six hundred and forty-five acres, much of which 
yields to him a goldt-n tribute. He has now 
practically retired from the practice of his pri>fes- 
siun but still prescribes for a few old friends who 
are not willing to change their well known family 
physician for a stranger. 

Near liirmingham, on the 'Jtli of April, 184G, 
Dr. Spees and Miss Susanna Endersby were united 
in marriage. The lady was born inGilden Morden. 
Cambridgeshire, England, December 17, 1824, and 
when seventeen years of ago accompanied her father 
to this country, locating in Hillsboro, Henry 
Count}'. He died in Lee County at the !»gc of 
seventy five years. The Doctor and his wife began 
their domestic life in a portion of the house which 
is still their hon)e and seven children came to bless 
their union — Cephus, a resident farmer of Van 
Buren County ; Thomas L. and Linnaeus R. who 
died in childhood; .John C. a farmer of Lewis 
County, Mo. ; Mary M., wife of David Miller, a 
resident of Van Kuien County; Florence E., wife 
of William .Specs who is also living in this county, 
as does Helen I. and her husband, George Manning. 

I^r. Specs is known throughout the greater part 
of Iowa and is one of the honored and primiinent 
pioneers. In many ways he has been identified 
with the upbuilding and advancement of town, 
county and State. He helped to secure the corpora 



tiou lor i;irmihgli:iiii and mtvlmI as .Mayor of the 
city. He came to this place wlien four families 
constituted its population. He was the first lo 
build away from the square and tlms give a new 
direction to the town. 

In past years Dr. Spees has given employment to 
11 great many men, and alway.s paid them promptly. 
Five different men who were his tenants, made 
sufficient money while in possession of his property 
to enable them each to buy homes of their own. 
He has acted generously with his patients, never 
having sued any of them'for pay for his services and 
cheerfully given his atten<lance to those unable to 

pay- 

With the State history he is also connected. As 
a candidate of the Whig party, he was elected in 
1850 to the State Senate from this district. He 
assisted in establishingj|the capital at Des Moines 
and in publishing the first statutes of Iowa. On the 
dissolution of the Whig i)arty he joined the new 
Republican party, hut in late years has been inde- 
pendent in politics. A faithful friend to raanv. he 
in turn has many friends who respect and love him 
for the valuable service he has rendered in time of 
aflliclion. 




^-^ 



ilLLlAM G. BLACK, of Fairfiehl Town- 
\\ Ay'// *'''P' *^f* born in Adams County, Ohio, in 
'^^f^ 1830. and is the son of Moses and Nancy 
(Glasgow) Black. In 1841, when a lad of some 
eleven summers, he accompanied his parents to 
Brown County. III., and thence came lo Jefferson 
County, Iowa, in May, 1844. He was reared lo 
farm life and received his education in the cuinmon 
schools of the neighborhood. When he had re.ached 
man's estate he was united in marriage .Sfpleml)er 
II, 1850, with Mi.ss Rachel Stever, daughter of 
Adam and Elizabeth Stever. She was born in 
Huntingdon County, I'a., on the I5lh of April. 
1833, and is the fifth in a family of twelve chil- 
dren. Her father was also a native of llnnlingdon 
County, but her mother was born in Hunterdon 



oC4 



POliTRAlT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



County. N. J. They came to Iowa in 1844, and are 
therefore niimbored among its early settlers. 

L'lito Mr. and Mrs. Blacli lias been I)orn a family 
eigiit children, seven of wiioin arc yet living — Al- 
k'tta. now the widow of W. '1". Hunt, nsides with 
her father; Moses F. is an insurance agent of Fair- 
field ; Bessie P. and John F. are at home; Samuel 
died at the age of a year and a half; Xanie G. is 
the wife of F. K. Laughlin, of Locust Grove 
Township; Joseph Guy and Robert Roy complete 
the family. 

For some years Mr. Black lived upon the old 
home and in connection vvitli its cultivation 
operated a sawmill, but later he removed to near 
Liberty ville. In 180 1. he came to Fairfield and 
for three years w.is employed as a clerk but in Feb- 
ruary, 1865, he resumed milling which he has since 
continued to the present time. For the past twelve 
years he has also been a bridge builder for Jeffer- 
son County. In 1865, he removed to Locust 
Grove Township and two years later to his present 
pl.ice of residence and now owns a farm of about 
fiiiir liundred acres. He is a Republican in politics 
and himself and family are members of the Cum- 
berl:cnd Presbyterian Cliurch. By his extensive 
|)iirchase of timber, he has done more to improve 
and develop the counjy than any other man in 
this region. Mr. Black is widely and favorablj' 
known and is generally esteemed for his thorough 
integrity, industry and enterprise. 



I 



^OHX W. BURNETT, President of the J. W. 
Burnett Lumber Company, of Fairfield, and 
dealer in hardware, lumber and building 
material, established business in this city in 
1H74, and is now at the head of one of its leading 
enterprises. He came to Fairfield as agent and 
resident manager of the E. 1). Rand Lumber Com- 
pany, of Burlington, here established a yard and 
was associated with that coin|)any until 1880. He 
cmbarkefl in the hardware business soon after his 



arrival and from 1880 until January, 1890, con- 
tinued operations alone. At the last mentioned 
date, he was instrumental in organizing anil incor- 
porating the existing J. W. Burnett Lumber Com- 
pany-, which was in'jori)oraied with an authorized 
capital of xlOO,000 and a paid u[> ca|)ital of ^'Jo.- 
000. Mr. Burnett was elected President; William 
Day, Vice-President; and Frank Zimmerman, Sec- 
retary and Treasurer. The extensive hardware 
business carried on by Mr. Burnett is his individ- 
u.al affair. In 1871), he established a branch house 
in Elden, Iowa, consisting of a lumber yard and 
hardware store wbi'cli business was included in the 
slock of the J. W. Burnett Lumber Com|)any on 
the incorporation of that company and is conducted 
under the management of Vice-President William 
Day. The annual business of the F.urflcld house 
is §50,000 and upwards, while that of tlie Elden 
branch is -$15,000. 

As a leading and inlluential citizen and the head 
of one of the important business industries of 
Fairfield, we feel that a sketch of the life of Mr. 
Burnett will be of interest to our readers. He was 
born in the town of Chatham, Morris County, N. J., 
April 28, 1847, and is a son of Andrew J. and 
Lydia (Badgeley) Burnett. His parents were na- 
ti\es of New Jersey and were descended from old 
Colonial families. The paternal great-grandfather 
was a patriotic soldier of the War for Indepen- 
dence. During his early childhood, John W. Bur- 
nett lost his father and with his mother removed to 
Mansfield, Ohio, in 1855, where he was educated in 
the public schools. Thirteen years later, in 1868, 
he first set foot upon Iowa soil, making a location 
at Osceola, where he spent nine months as a clerk, 
after which he removed to Cromwell, I'nion 
County, there having charge of the E. 1). Rand & 
Co's lumber business until 1874, when he came to 
Fairfield as agent for the same company. 

Mr. Burnett was married in Mansfield, Ohio, on 
the 3d of May, 1871, the lady of his choice being 
Miss Rosetta Zimmerman, who was a native of that 
city and a daughter of Levi Zimmerman. Six 
children have been born of their union, five sons 
and a daughter, as follows: Jennie E. James M., 
Hubert H.. Levi Z., John Fred and Carl D. The 
! last named died in infancv. 



PORTRAIT AM) HIOaRAPIIICAL ALBUM. 



5 Go 



INIr. and Mrs. Buinelt are nifmliGrs of tlie C'on- 
grcyalioiKil Church ami in politii'S he votes with 
the R(-|)ulilic:in party but has hail neitlier time nor 
inclinalion to serve in t)flicial positiDUS. In adili- 
tion to his lumber and hardware business, he has 
oMier important Intsiness connections, lie is a 
stockholder in the Fairfield Manufacturing C'oni- 
paiiv; an equal partner with C. C. Risk in the ► 
Fairfield Canning CGmi)any; and is one of the or- I 
gauizers and original stockholders ' of the Iowa 
State Savings Bank, of Fairfield. Mr. lUirnett has 
now been identified with the mercantile .and ninnu- 
faeturing interests of Jefferson County for sixteen 
years and is widely and favorably known as an en- 
terprising and successful business man, whose in- 
tegrity and promptness is always to be relied on. 
He is public-spirited, taking a warm interest in all 
that atfects the general prosperity of tiie people, 
and enjo^'s the confidence and esteem of his fellow- 
citizens in a marked degree. 



c=T^ 



S^ 



Y, OSEI'II (JRABER. a farmer of section 23, 
Lockridge Township, Jefferson County, was 
born in France, on the 8tli of Ma^-. 1823. 
Upon a rented farm his father, John Oraber. 
engaged in agricultural pursuits. In the year in 
which he attained to man's estate, he united his 
destiny with that of Miss Catherine Roth, and their 
marri.age was blessed with seven children, all born 
in France, of whom Joseph was the youngest; 
John, the eldest, is now deceased; Peter Is living 
in Henry County, Iowa; Christ, is also dead ; Cath- 
erine is the widow of John Rotb,of Henry County; 
Jacob died in Ohio; Mary is also passed from 
among the living. In urder to prevent his sons 
from being forced into the army, Mr. Graber, in 
1830, brought his family to America, and in W.ayne 
County, Ohio, near Wooster, made a settlement. 
He there continued to reside some twelve years, 
after which be came to Iowa, locating in Lockridge 
Township, where he entered some eight hundred 
acres of land. His farming operations were quite 



successful, and possessing good business ability he 
accumulated' a competence. In his youth he had 
acquired a good education, and was a man who 
kept himself well informed on all matters of gen- 
eral interest. Public spirited and progressive, lie 
was ready to aid in the advancement of any enler- 
[irisc that woubl benefit the community, and did 
not a little for the progress of the immediate com- 
munity in which he made his home. He lived 
eight years in Iowa and was then called to his final 
rest, while his wife survived him until 1865. 

The educational privileges afforded in a new set- 
tlement are not very exlendeii in character, but 
are confined chiefly to the three R's. .Such were 
the scholastic privileges which Joseph Graber re- 
ceived, but during his youth he learned useful les- 
sons of industry and economy upon the new farm 
in Ohio. He aided in clearing the land and trans- 
forming it into fertile fields. He was nineteen 
years of age when he came to Iowa, and after his 
father's death he and his brother Peter managed 
the business affairs of the family until 1857, when 
he left the parental roof for a home of his own. 
On the 3()tli of April of that year he was joined in 
wedlock with Miss Catherine Kgly, a native of 
Alsace, France. He then returned with his bride to 
the old homestead, but at the end of two j'cars 
made purchase of two hundrc<l and forty acres of 
land, on section 23, Lockridge Township, where be 
has resided continuously since. Erecting a small 
frame house, he removed to his new home and Ijc- 
gan clearing the land, which was then covered 
with brush and timber. Week by week saw other 
acres added to the cleared space, until at length 
rich fields yielded him abundant harvests as a re- 
ward for his toil and hbor. He has now a com- 
fortable home, surrounded by good buildings, and 
is enableil to enjoy many of the comforts and lux- 
uries which go to make life worth living. 

Unlo .Mr. and .Mrs. (irabcr have been born 
eleven children, nine of whom are yet living : Bar- 
bara, their first born, is now the wife of John Lar- 
son, of Lockridge Township; Mary is at home; 
Catherine is the wife of Joseph Rich, of Colorado; 
Jacob E. aids his father in the cultivation of the 
home farm; John W . is yet under the parental 
roof; Lena is the wife of Jacob Rupp, of Colorado; 



5tJ6 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALHUM. 



Margaret died when in her second year; Leah; 
Joseph died at the age of sixteen montlis; Samuel 
anil Kinnia are the youn-jrer diililren. Mr. Graber 
and his wife and children arc all faithful members 
of llic Mennonite Church, as were his parents. He 
lakes an .active interest in the work, and has con- 
tiibuted lilicMally of his means to the cause. He 
easts his ballot with the Democratic party, and is 
a valuable citizen and representative farmer. 

.\Irs. Graber. whose maiden name was Catherine 
Egly, was horn in Als.ace. France, August 17, 1837, 
and is a daughter of .lacob and Barbara (Ries) 
Egly. Her father was born in Strasburg, and was 
reared to the miller's trade. In .accordance with 
(he laws of his native land he served for seven 
\ ears in the army. Desiring the freedom of the 
New AA'(Mld, and wishing to test the opportunities 
which it offered, he crossed the Atlantic in 1847. 
In Canada he made his lirst settlement, but after 
he had engaged in fanning for eight years lie 
sought a home in Iowa, buying sixty acres of land 
near (ilendale. in Lockridge Township. The farm 
on which he located continued to be his home until 
his death, which occurred in July, 1879. He was 
an invalid, and endured suffering for twenty 3ears 
ere death released him. His wife died on the 20th 
of August. 1888. Both were followers of the faith 
of the Mennonite Church, and were highly res|)ected 
peo|)le. Of their family of six children, Mrs. 
Graber is the eldest; Barbara is the wife of Jacob 
Christina, of Swedesburg. low'a; Jacob is living in 
Henry County; Mary is the wife of Joe Roth, of 
Arkansas; Christian and John both make their 
home in Henr^' County. 



^ 



a^^- 



^, ATTIIEW Q. CRRTCHER, a prominent 
farmer and pioneer settler of Van Buren 
County, residing in Milton, was born in 
Chami)aign County, Ohio, April 20, 1821, 
and is a son of Jabez and Nanc> (Pollock) Cret- 
clier. His father was born in Delaware in 1791, 
and removed with his iiarents to Kentucky in 




childhood, where he was reared to agricultural 
pursuits, removing thence to Champaign County, 
Ohio, in 1814. The Cretcher family is of English 
origin, and was founded in America by three 
brothers who emigrated to this country in early 
Colonial times. One of these brothers was the 
great-grandfather of our subject. His son, M. Q. 
Cretcher, was born in Maryland, was an onl}' son, 
and at the age of fifteen years enlisted in the War 
of the Revolution. He was present at the sur- 
render of Lord Cornwallis, and served until the 
colonies had secured their independence. Mr. 
Cretcher's motBer was born in Delaware, about 
1794, and died in Miami Township, Logan County, 
Ohio, in 1878. 

When a babe of two years our suliject was taken 
by his parents to Logan County, Ohio, where he 
received a common-school education, and was 
reared on a farm. He learned the carpenter's and 
joiner's trade, and in 18 12 came to Van Buren 
Count}', Iowa, wiili his father, looking up a loca- 
tion. Returning to Ohio ihat fall, he spent the 
winter and spring in his native State, and in July. 
1843, returned to Iowa, on foot and alone. For a 
few j-ears after coming to this county he worked 
at his tr.ade in order to secure money to enter land 
and make a home. The \-ear 1846 saw the realiza- 
tion of his hopes in the former particular. He en- 
tered eighty acres of land lying on sections 1 1 and 
14, Des Moines Township, and adjacent to the 
southern boundary of the State. From that time 
his success seemed assured, and to his possessions 
he added from time to time until he is now the 
owner of seven hundred and two acres. There are 
tsvo hundred and forty acres in the homestead 
farm in Des Moines Township, one hundred and 
eighty acres joining it, but lying in Missouri; 
another farm of one hundred .and sixty-two acres 
in Missouri, and eighty acres in Hancock Count}', 
Iowa. 

Mr. Cretcher was married in Scotland County, 
Mo., on the 31st of January, 1847, to Miss 
Lucinda Sayre, daughter of Joseph and Han- 
nah Sayre, and a native of Preston Count}'. Va.. 
born May 3, 1827. When nine years of age 
she went with her parents to O'hio, and in 1841 
came with Ihein to \'an Buren County. Both aie 



PORTUAIT AND BIOGUAPHICAL ALBUM. 



5G7 



now deceased, the father having departed tliis life 
in Jul}', 1846, at the age of fifty years, while the 
mother's death occurred in April, 1880, at the age 
of seventy-four. Both died in Scotland County, 
Mo., where their remains were laid to rest. A 
family of nine children has been born of the 
union of Mr. and Mrs. C'retcher, four sons and five 
daughters, and the family circle yet remains un 
broken. William, the eldest, born December 30. 
1847, married Miss Josephine Meredith, and is now 
farming in l)es Moines Township; Lycurgus, born 
September 7, 1849, weddeil Ella Fix, and is also 
farming in Dcs Moines Township; Elizabeth Ann, 
born September 1, 1851, is the wife of Charles 
Langford, a resident farmer of the same township; 
Daniel, who was born August 26, 1854, carries on 
the old homestead; Lucy Jane, born January- 7, 
1857, is the wife of John Bell, a farmer of Vernon 
Township, Van Buren County; Ida May, wife of 
Fianklin Case, of Johnson Township, Scotland 
County, Mo., was born June 14, 1854; Mary 
Frances, born September 17, 1861, is the wife of 
J. W. Smith, a farmer of Des Moines Township; 
Lucinda, born Juh' 19, 1865, wedded Henry Davis, 
of Woodson County', Kan.; and Matthew tj., the 
youngest, who was born June 2, 1873, is [lursuing 
his studies in the Milton high school. 

Mr. C'retcher continued his residence upon his 
farm in Des Moines Township until October, 1889, 
when he temporaril3' removed to Milton for the 
Ijurpose of affording his youngest son better facili- 
ties for education. In politics he was a Free-soil 
Democrat until the organization of the Republican 
party, when he joined its ranks, voting for Fremont 
in 1856, and for each successive Republican candi- 
date since that time, including Benjamin Ilafrison, 
our present Executive. In his religinus views lie is 
liberal, and docs not afliliate with any sect or de- 
nomination. He was made a Mason in ls56, being 
initialed into the mysteries of that order in Alt. 
Sterling Lodge, now Aurora Lodge, No. 50, A. F. 
it A. M., and has since maintained his connection 
with the fraternity, being now a ineiiiber of Ap- 
p<illo Lodge, No. 461, A. F. & A. M., of Cantril. 
Throughout his entire life Mr. C'retcher hasahv.ays 
been a hard-working, industrious man, of temperate 
habits, and of correct business princii)les. He is 



recognized as a man of superior judgment and 
practical sense, unpretending and plain in manner, 
and of unquestioned integrity. He has reareil a 
large family, and hiu; lived to see them become 
useful and respected members of society and en- 
joying comfortable homes; while he ha.^, by pru- 
dent management and p;itient industry .accumulated 
a large and valuable pidpert}'. 



EriifL' gLrtirii^ 




^ AMIEL THRASH, who is the owner of a 
good farm of two hundred and twenty- 
nine acres on section 29, Fairfield Town- 
ship, settled in Jefferson County, in April. 
1839. Few of the settlers of that day are left to 
tell the story of life on the frontier, many having 
removed to other States while some have gone to 
I that land whence no traveler returns. Year by 
I year has brought changes until in the Jefferson 
I County of to-day one would scarcely recognize the 
almost uninhabited prairies of fifty years ago. in 
the work of progress and advancement, in the 
transforming of the wild lands into rich and fertile 
farms, in the promotion of such enterprises as are 
calculated to benefit the community, Mr. Thrash 
has ever borne his part and will be remembered as 
one of the founders of the county long after he 
shall have passed away. 

In Montgomery- County. Va.. on the 30th of 
January. 1816. he first opened his eyes to the light 
of day. his parents being William and Catherine 
(Lester) Thrash, both of whom were native Vir- 
ginians. The family were among the early settlers 
of the old Dominion and was of German origin. 
The great-grandfather of our subject returned to 
German}- for his inheritance but was lost when 
again crossing the Atlantic to America. On the 
maternal side, Mr. Thrash is of English descent, 
in 1818 the family removed to Dearborn County, 
Ind., and in the common schools of that State. 
.Samuel received his education. He was reared 
to farm life and since attaining to manhocxl has 
made farming his occupation. The year 1836 



568 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



witnessed the removal of the family to Knox 
County, III., and in the fall of 1837, he accompa- 
iilfil his father to llenrv County, lowa.wlieie claims 
were located. Later the family became residents 
of Mahaska County, this .Slate, where Mr. Tlirash 
■Sr. departed this life, on the 3d of Sepleniben 
1853, at the .age of fifty-nine years. His wife died 
in Henry County, July 11, 1850. in the fifty- 
seventh year of her a;;e. 

In the nionti) of February, l«.i9, history chroni- 
cles the advent of Samuel Thrash in Jefferson 
County. Iowa, where he made a claim constituting 
what is now known as the Zeigler place, in Fairfield 
Township. Having thus made some preparation 
for a home he returned to Henry Countj', and on 
the 3 tst of March, 1839, was united in marriage 
with Jane Thornton and in April made a perma- 
nent location in tiiisconimunity. Later, selling his 
claim, in the fall of 1843 he purchased a farm 
which has now for forty-seven years ctmtinued to 
be his home. Prosperity has attended his efforts, 
success has crowned his labors and in addition to 
worldly gifts the home was blessed with the ines- 
ence of ten children, but only four grew to mature 
3"ears. The mother, whose maiden name, as before 
stated, was Jane Thorn^on, was born in Jackson 
Count}', Tenn., January 31, 1818, and she is a 
daughter of Felix and Lecy (llawley) Thornton, 
who were boiii and reared in North Carolina. In 
1838, she accompanied her sister and her husband 
to Iowa and remained in Henry County until her 
marriage. The children born of this union who 
lived to adult age are John F., who wedded Jane 
Wilson and is living in .Southern Kansas; Cather- 
ine, wife of Ilgin Fritz of Kirksville, Adair County, 
Mo. ; liliza, wife of .Samuel Zeigler of F""airfield ;and 
S, Douglas, who married Annie McConly, and is 
a resident of Louisiana. The eldest of the family, 
William F., was born January 3, 1840, and died 
from a snake bite July 7, 1845; John F. was born 
November II, 1841; Sar.ih Catherine was born 
April 0, 1843; Jackson, born November 13, 1844, 
died August 13, 1848; Harriet, born May 31, 1846, 
died August 10, 1848; Eliza was born F'ebruary 5, 
1848; George, liorn April 9, 1850, died December 
17, 1853; Maria, born April 27, 1852. died Octo- 
ber 1, 1856; Martha, born April 13, 1854, died 



when only a few hours old; S. Douglas, who com- 
pletes the famil}' was born on the 'Jlh of April, 
1861. 

In political sentiment, Mr. Thrash is a Democrat 
and has Jield a number of township offices. He has 
now been a resident of Jefferson County for the 
long period of fifty-one years. On his arrival the 
Indians were more numerous than the white settlers 
and he and his wife endured many of the priva- 
tions incident to frontier life. However, tlie\ 
overcame all obstacles which they encountered and 
Mr. Thrash is now a fair representative of the sue 
ccssfnl pioneer. Large heartc<l and true as steel, 
he has won hosts of friends and is held in high re 
gard b}' young and old, rich and po(n\ 




pylLLIAM RUSSELL, deceased, is ranked 
among the pioneers of Van Buren County, 

f/yi Iowa. He made a location in Des Moines 
Township in 1841, during Teriitorial days, and 
subsequenll}' was a resident of Jackson Township. 
He was born in New Jersey in 1790, and on attain- 
ing to years of maturity was united in marriage in 
Kent Count}-. Del., in 1834. with Mrs. Ann Pen- 
nington, widow of Benjamin Pennington, and for- 
merly a Miss Wilson. She was a native of Del- 
aware, and by her previous marriage became 
the mother of one daughter and two sons — Sarah 
Ann, who wedded James Price and died in 1876; 
George, who is a Justice of the Peace and leading 
citizen of Milton, Iowa, and whose sketch appears 
elsewhere in this volume; and Beujamin, who 
married F'lizabelh Cowger, and is a harness-maker 
of Milton. 

In 1835 Mr. Ru-iisell removed with his family to 
Indiana, and nine years later, in 1844, crosse<l the 
Mississippi into the Territory of Iowa. He made a 
location in Des Moines Township, A'an Buren 
County, then a wild ami sparsely settled region. 
He embarked in farming, but subsequently removed 
to Jackson Township, where he engaged in agri- 




D. P. STUBBS. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



ATI 



cultural pursuits until his death, which occurred in 
1849. lie was a member of the Methodist Church 
and a Democrat in politics. His wife survived 
him many years, dyiny in April, 1879. 



iilL^ON. DANIEL PARIIAM .STinUS, who 
|f| jV for many years has been known as one of 
^^ the most successful criminal lawyers in 
(^) Iowa, was born in the extreme southern 
part of Preble County, Ohio, on the 7th of July, 
1829. His parents, William and Delilah (I'arham) 
Stubbs, were natives of Appling County, Ga., the 
father born in 179."), the mother in 1798. and both 
were of pure English descent. The grandparents 
of our subject on both sides were all natives of 
Georgia, and his maternal grandfather, who served 
in the Revolutionary War, was present at the sur- 
render of Cornwallis. In 180.5 the paternal grand- 
parents emigrated with their family to the new 
State of Ohio, which State was then only three 
years old. They belonged to the society of Friends, 
or Quakers and were strongly opposed to slavery, 
which fact led them to seek a home in the first 
State which had been created from the Northwest 
Territorj-, from which that institution had been 
prohibited. 

The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm 
in his native State. where he received only the edu- 
cational advantages of a common district school and 
that of a select school, which was conducted under 
the auspices of the Society of Friends and which was 
situated three miles distant from his home. After 
attaining his majority, he attended Union Seminary 
in Liberty, In<l., where William Houghton was 
Principal. Having spent five months as a student 
in that institution, he engaged in te.acjiing and soon 
became one of the principals of the seminary, 
whore he was but a short time previous a student. 
While only a boy on the farm, he conceived the 
iiica of one day becoming a iaywor. and to this end 
worked in a sawmill fur the munificent salary of 
half a dollar \w\- <l:iy. in order to procure monej' 



with which to carry out his cherished plan. Thus 
he purchased his first law book, a copy of lilack- 
stone's Commentaries, which he still has in his 
library, and while teaching pursued his law studies 
as he found opportunity. In 18.54 he was appf)infod 
Deputy Clerk of the court in Union County, Ind., 
under the Hon. Eghill Burnside, the father of Gen. 
A. E. Burnside, and who had held that oHice for 
twenty-eight consecutive years. While engaged in 
the discharge of the duties thus devolving upon 
him, he continued his law studies and learned 
much of the routine of court business. 

Shortly afterward Mr. Stubbs entered upon a 
systematic course of law study under the direction 
of the Hon. .John Yaryan. About the same time, 
in the fall of 1855, he married Jliss Carrie Hol- 
lingworth, a native of Union County, Ind., and a 
daughter of Abijah Hollingworth. The following 
winter, he entered the law department of Asbury 
University, under the tutel.age of the Hon. A. C. 
Downing, late Supreme .ludge of Indiana. While 
it was the rule of the University that a student 
should take a two j'ears' course before graduating. 
Mr. Stubbs by hard stud}- and close application ac- 
complished the required work in one year and was 
graduated with the degree of B. L. in 1856. In 
the spring of that year he assumed editorial charge 
of the Liberty Herald, of Lil)erty. Ind., which sup- 
ported the Republican cause in the first national 
campaign of that party. The same year he formed 
a law partnership with the Hon. N. H. Treuseler. 

In the early summer of 1857, Mr. Stubbs started 
on a prospecting tour with a view of locating in the 
West. He traveled through Missouri. Kansas, Ne- 
braska and Iowa, and having reached Fairfield, of 
the last named State, he decided to slick his stakes 
there and make that his future home. That resolu- 
tion he has never had reason to regret through a 
thirty-three years' residence in the community. On 
establishing himself in Fairfield, he formed a law 
partnership with the Hon. James F. Wilson, now 
United States Senator, with whom he was associ- 
ated for five years. Mr. Wilson soon became 
prominent in politics and necessarily devoted much 
time to |)ublic matters, while the junior member of 
the firm gave his undivided attention to a large and 
increasing law practice and built up a lucrative busi- 



572 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



ness. He practiced in the federal courts and was ad- 
mitted to tin- bar of llie .Supretnc Court of the United 
Stales ill 18C7. 

The suliject of politicB had its attractions for 
liiin luiil "f find the city records show that Mr. 
Sliibl>s was elected Mayor of Fairfield in 1859 
unci re-elected in 18G0. In I8G;5 he was elected 
to the State Senate and served four years in that 
body, durinji which time he wsis ti member of the 
committees on judiciary and federal relations and 
was the author of tlie resoUitfon which passed the 
Le<ri>ilature ratifying the amendment to the consti- 
tution of Hie IniLcd Stales which provided for the 
final abolition of slavery- in this country and which 
is as follows: 

"WiiKUKAS, The Congress of the United Slates 
lias proi)osed to the several States the following 
amendment to the federal constitution, viz: 
ARTICLE XIII, 

Section 1. Neither slavery nor involuntary ser- 
vitude, except as punishment for crime, whereof 
tlie pMrly shall have been duly convicted, shall 
exist wilhin the I'ihUhI States or any place subject 
to their jurisdiction. 

Section 2. Congress shall iiave power to enforce 
this article by appropriate Igislation; therefore, 

Be it Rpsolved:, by the Cieneral Assembly of the 
State of Iowa that the State of Iowa, by its Legis- 
lature, hereby ratifies and assents to said amend- 
ment." 

During the last session of his service, Mr. Siubbs 
was President pro tern of the Senate. He was also the 
aulho" of the resolution adopted by the Legislature 
of Iowa, in ihe session of 180(), in reg.'ud to the 
punishment of .leff Davis. Mr. Stubbs, from the 
committee on federal relations, submitted the fol- 
lowing majority report: 

'I'lie Committee on Federal Relations, to whom 
WHS referred House ResoUuion "to hang Jeff Davis" 
have had Ihe same under consideration and having 
inslrucled me to report the same back to the Sen 
ate witli the recommendation that the following be 
subsliluted Iheiefor: 

\Vhkki:as, the laws of tlie United States require 
that treason against the United States shall be pun- 
istu'it with death, and 

Whereas, the constitution requires tliat the 
President shall take care that the laws be faithfully 
exeeuted. ami 

WiiEUEAS, Jefferson Davis, a prisoner of war. 



held by authority of the Government of the United 

States, is subject to be tried for the crime of trea- 
son, therefore, 

"Be it Resolved, b}' the General Assembly of the 
.Slate of Iowa that Jefferson Davis is not a proper 
subject for executive clemency, and it is the duty 
of the President of thetlnited States to cause the said 
Davis to lie brought to a fair and impartial, but 
speedy, trial before the pro|)er tribunal and if found 
guilty of the crime of treason that he suffer the 
penalty provided by law." 

"That the SecreUiy of Slate be and is hereby in- 
structed to forward a certified copy of the forego- 
ing resolution to our delegation in Congress with 
the request that they present the same to the Presi- 
dent of the I'nited Stales." 

Mr. Stubbs was reared an Abolitionist and cast 
his vote in a Presidential eam|)aign for the first time 
in 1852, for John P. Hale and tieorge ^Y. Julien. 
He took an active part in the campaign of 1856 
and in that }^ear voted for Fremont and Dayton, 
the first Republican candidates for President and 
Vice President. He continued to support the party 
until 1872 when, like many of the Old Line Abo- 
litionists, he cast his ballot for Horace Greeley for 
President, since which time he has never been in 
harmony with the Republican parly. In the Presi- 
dential campaign of 1876 he voted for Peter Cooper 
and .Samuel F. C^ary. The following year he was 
nominated unanimously for Governor of Iowa by 
the Independent Greenback party, but without his 
previous knowledge. He accepted the nomination 
and made an extended canvass, and to the astonish- 
ment of both the old parties he received 35,000 
voles. In 1879 he was the candidate of the Green- 
back party for Congress, and while he made a spir- 
ited canvass his party strength was not great enough 
to insure success. In 1880 he received the entire 
vote of his party in the Legislature for United 
Stales Senator. 

Ever since entering Ibe i)olilical lifld Mr. 
Stubbs has been an earnest and intluenlial worker 
in support of his part}' principles. As lime 
passed he gradually abandoned the line of general 
law practice and made criminal and chancery cases" 
a specialty. He won a wide reputation as a crim- 
inal lawyer and for many years was employed 
in a large proportion of the greatest criminal cases 
tried in Soiilhe.astern Iowa. He won special prom- 
inence in his defense of the noted desperado. Rand, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALHIiM. 



57:) 



wlio wns tried in Galosbuig:, HI., in the winter of 
1878. Tlie stron^icsl prejudice of llie wlioie com- 
munity was aroused against botli client and attor- 
ney, yet in a five hours' spcecli Mr. Stuhbs suc- 
ceeded in avertin;,' tlie dealli penalty from the 
prisoner. It is said of our subject that when he is 
engaged in tlie trial of a specially <liHicult or im- 
portant case tliat he seems to devolop a latent force 
that makes him a tower of strength. Kvery faculty 



stock. On tbis ranch Mr. Stnbbs and his sons are 
carrying on an extensive business in imporliiig 
and breeiling Oldenberg coauli and heavy draft 
horses. He and his son Charles have traveled 
extensively in Europe in connection with that en- 
terprise and have selected and imported a larjje 
nMml)er of the finest horses to be found in the Old 
World. The son has crossed the ocean twelve 
times in the Interest of the ranch and has been very 



sc(nis to expand and quicken ; argument, logical successful in his purchases. Their horses are princi- 
pally of the French ami Belgian slock — lieavy dnift 
animals, yet they have many line specimens of the 
coach horse. The ready sale the proprietors of the 
Empire Ranch have found for their slock and the 
large ninnl)er disposed of, testify to the good judg- 
ment shown in the selection of the animals for ini- 
p(jrlation. The benefit of this enterprise to the 
country will be sliown by a marked improvement 
In the growing horses which will make Fairfiehl 
one of the most popular horse markets in the West. 



and elofpient, greets his hearers. At times, tender 
and ijalhetie, or again with a fierce energj-, he car- 
ries conviction to the minds of all. That he has 
won success and a liri'liant reputation in his pro- 
fession is a fact too well known to be questioned. 
For several years past, lie has only acce|)ted retain- 
ers in the iiiore iniporlant cases in his favorite line 
of i)ractice, and since 1887 he has almost entirely 
withdrawn from professional work. He is a popu- 
lar stump speaker and does good service in every 
jiolitical campaign. 

IMr. and Mrs. Stubbs have four children, two 
sons ami two daughters: Orsino D.,the eldest, mar- 
ried Miss Alice Stubbs. a very distant relative, and 
is engaged with bis father in the live-stock liusiness; 
Charles E. studied law with his father and was ad- 
mitted to the bar in 1883, then formed a partner- 
ship with bis father in the law business and is now 
engaged in practice in Fairfield, besides being 
largely interested with his father and brother in 
dealing in horses. He is at present Secretary' of 
the National French Draft Horse Association of 
America. He married Miss C-.-rrie Hunter, daugh- 
ter of Dr. Hunter, of Newton, Iowa; Cora May, 
the third child, is the wife of D. C. Bradley, of 
Centerville, Iowa; Minnehaha, the youngest, is un- 
married and resides at liomc. 

Jlr. Stubbs is liberal in his religious views and 
is not a member of any religious denomination. 
He was for some years connected with the Odd 
Fellows fraternity and is now an Ancient Odd Fel- 
low. In 188") he purchased the Empire Ranch, a 
stock farm of four hundred acres, which is situated 
adjacent to the cit^- of Fairfield on the east, and 
which is admirably adapted for str)ck |)urposes, 
beinf largely a blue-grass pasture, well watered and 




^ ARTIN KAY.S. an insurance agent, of 
Milton. Van Buren County, was born in 
i\ Sussex County. N. J., March 30, 1817. snd 
is descended from good old Revolutionary 
slock. His grandfather. John Kays, who was born 
on the bank of the Delaware River, near Plilladcl- 
phia. served in the War for Independence, and il 
is said that he carried the dispatch telling of the 
surrender of Burgoyne to (Jen. Washington. His 
seventh son, .Samuel Ka3s, the father of ciur subject, 
was born in New Jersey in 1792, and died in that 
Stale about 181',!. He married Elizabeth Tultle. 
who wiis about five years his junior, and who was 
descendeil from an oltl New England family. Her 
death occurred in IH87. 

Tlie subject of this sketch received such educa- 
lional advantages aji the subscri|)lion schools of 
tliat day aflfurded. and was rc-ircd to the occujw- 
tions of farming and niilling. On the 7lli of Oc- 



rolliu" enough to be picturesque and healthful for | tobcr, 1841>. in Warren County, N. J., be was 



574 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



united in marriage with Miss Mary Jane Lanning, 
who was born May 21, 1822, anrl was a 'laughter 
of Isaac and Mary Lanning, who were of Gorman 
descent. Their union was blessed with four chil- 
dren, two sons and two daughters: Samuel Irving, 
born in New Jersey, September 21, 1850, died in 
Van Buren County, March 19, 1881 ; Harriet, born 
April 11, 1S52, is the wife of Thomas M. Dye, who 
resides near C'antril, Iowa; George, born Marcii 
23, 185(). married Mattie Snodgrass, and is now a 
member of the firm of Bell, Hill & Kays; Mary 
Elizabeth, born in New Jersey, August 22, 1857, 
is keeping house for her father. The mother of 
the family died in Milton, August 10, 1887. 

Mr. Kays came to Keosauqua in the spring of 
1857, and thinking it would prove a favorable loca- 
tion brought his family to Van Buren County in 
the spring of the following year. He purchased a 
steam flouring-mill, which he operated for some 
five years. About 18GG he removed to Milton, 
where he carried on business for twelve years with 
a partner, since which time he has been in the in- 
surance business. He is a man o.f upright moral 
character, respected and honored by his fellow- 
citizens, but is not a member of any religious 
organization. In early life he supported the Whig 
party, but now casts his ballot with the Republican 
party. 



_-^<^ 



ON. JACOB G. VALE, ex-Senator of Iowa, 
Y^Ji) was born in the western part of York 
County, Pa., July 7, 1821. The family is 
of English origin. He traces his ancestry 
back to Robert Vale, a native of England, who 
followed a seafaring life, being captain of the ship 
on which William Penn made his second voyage to 
America. In order to induce him to locate in 
America, Penn gave him one thousand acres of 
land in York County, Pa., on which he settled. 
Soon afterward he married Anna Bula, a native of 
Ireland, but a Quaker in religious faith. They had 
a family of six children, including William Vale, 
grandfather of our subject, who married Miss Anna 



Witherall, a native of Ireland. They became the 
parents of two sons and five daughters, the young- 
est sou being John, who was born on the olil home- 
stead, and there lived until the age of thirty years. 
On attaining his majority he married Miss Lydia 
Garretson, a native of Pensylvania, but of English- 
German ancestry, and the union was blessed with 
a family of four children. 

Our subject is the only survivor. He was but 
two months old at the time of his father's death, 
and he made his home with his maternal grand- 
father until the death of that gentleman, when 
Jacob was a lad of nine years. He then lived with 
his mother's brother, Daniel Garretson, until nine- 
teen years of age. With his brother he emigrated 
to Jefferson County, Ohio, and after attending 
school for a few terms was eng.aged as teacher in 
the district schools. He then spent a year in the 
Mt. Pleasant boarding school, under the manage- 
ment of the Society of Friends, and during the 
succeeding twelve 3'ears followed teaching, and per- 
fected his previous imperfect knowledge of the 
higher scientific branches. For eight years of this 
time he served as Principal of theSmithfield public 
schools, and also studied law under Edwin M. 
Stanton, Secretary of War under I'resident Lin- 
coln. He was admitted to the bar in 1844, in Jef- 
ferson Count}', Ohio, and in 1847 was a candidate 
for the State Legislature in a Democratic county 
in Ohio, where he was beaten by only twenty-one 
votes. 

The same year Mr. Vale was united in marriage 
with Miss Anne, daughter of Benjamin Rex, a 
wealthy Ohio farmer, and unto them were born six 
children. They came to Iowa in l.SoO, after which 
Mr. Vale continued to practice only as an .accom- 
modation to his friends until 1860, since which 
time he has devoted himself entirely to the care of 
his farm. He first located in Lee County, where, 
in 1853, he was a candidate; on an independent 
ticket for the Legislature but was beaten. In 1856 
he came to Van Buren County, and in the fall of 
1869 was solicited by representatives of both par- 
ties to become a candidate fur the State Senate, 
and was elected by a fair majority, being the only 
independent Senator in the Thirteenth General As- 
sembly. Politically he is a stanch Republican, and 



PORTRAIT AM) lilOORAPIIICA L ALBUM. 



575 



religiously is a faithful Presbyterian. In his Wy;- 
islalive labors he was conscientious, never advoca- 
ting a measure until lie was fully persuaded that 
he was right, and then it would require facts with 
the force of logic to turn him aside from the appar- 
ent path of duty. Opposite to his name in every 
enterprise, social, moral, financial or otlicinl, may 
be written the word "success." 



EDWIN MANNING, the honored pioneer, 
has for half a century made his home on the 
site of Keosauqua, Van Buren County, of 

which city he was llie founder. This volume would 
be incomplete witliout his sketch for he h.is not 
only been long a resident of the count}', but has 
been identified with its growth and progress and 
few have aiiied more in the advancement of its in- 
terests. 

Mr. Manning- was born in Coventry, Conn., 
February 8, 1810, and is a son of Calvin and Desire 
(Gurley) Manning who belonged to old New Eng- 
land families. They were parents of two sons and 
two daughters. Fannie the eldnst, married James 
Preston and died in her native county; Kdwin is 
the second in order of birth; William died on the 
old homestead at the age of thirty years, and Anna 
R., wife of Dr. S. W. Barrows, is living in llnrtforti. 
Conn. The parents, who were consistent and faith- 
ful members of the Congregational Church, died in 
Coventry, Conn., respected by all who knew them. 
Mr. Manning was a Whig in political sentiment and 
was honored by an election to the ollice of Com- 
missioner of Des Moines Kiver Improvement and 
also served in said office until its affairs were finally 
adjusted. 

The subject of this sketch was reared in a man- 
ner similar to the majority of boys of his day and 
received his education in the primitive schools of 
his native Stale. When a lad of sixteen years he 
entered the store of his uncle. Royal Manning, as 
salesman, which position he held for six months, 
when he went to Bethany, Pa., where he accepted 



asiuiihii position with another uncle, .lames Man- 
ning, receiving *10 per month as a compensation 
for his services. After five years, in whiih lime he 
had mastered the business, he was taken in as a 
partner with a third interest. Aside from the 
knowledge gained concerning mercantile life, Mr. 
Manning ac{iuire<l other information wliich pioved 
of much value to him in after life. Mis uncle (lur- 
ing his stay in Bethany, was elected Associate .lus- 
ticeand Recorder of the county, and Kdwin became 
acquainted with the routine of those ollices which 
knowledge proved of great benefit to him in after 
life in making plats, etc. In 1831, he left Bethany 
and embarked in business at Canton Corners, Brad- 
ford County, Pa., forming a partnership with J. C. 
Rose under the firm name of Manning & Rose, 
which connection was continued until the autumn 
of 1836, when he disposed of his interest and 
started for the West. He boarded a boat for .St. 
Louis, then the metropolis of the West, and on 
reaching his destination Col. Benton advised him 
and his associates to locate in that city, but think- 
ing his purse too light to invest much in real estate 
there, he pushed on to Lexington, Mo., where he 
made inquires in regard to lands. On receiving in- 
formation tliril he could obtain property in .Saline 
and Jackson Counties, accompanied hy his uncle 
and a Mr. Tyler he made his way to the places in- 
dicated and became owner of some real estate, of 
which Mr. Tyler was left in charge. Being op- 
posed to slavery, he and his uncle proceeded north- 
ward up the iMis3issi|)[)i and Des Moines Rivers to 
!St. Francesville, Lee County. That was in De- 
cember, 1836. After making some investments 
they continued on to Ft. Madison, where they 
visited the wigwam of the noted chief. Black 
Hawk, who treated them in a friendly manner but 
appeared rather reticent in regard to giving in- 
formation, seeming to realize llial his power was 
fast being taken from him. 

Ill January', 18;i7, Mr. Manning, with James Hall, 
.lohn Fuirnian and ,101111 Carnes, purchased a claim 
to the land and platted the town of Keosauipia. 
Our subject then returned on a visit to Pennsyl- 
vania, but the following year again came to Iowa 
and attended the first land sale at Burlington, pur- 
chasing several small tracts of laud for himself to- 



576 



I'OlMIJAir AM) r.KXJKAl'lJJCAL A1.I5LM. 



getlicr wilh quite a l:ir<je amount for ollieis. hi 
1.S3II, he puicliased in New York tiie first slock of 
goods ever l)i'ougiit to Keosauqua, shipping the 
same by way of the sea to liio mouth of llie Mis- 
sissipi)i and up that river to Churchville, the 
mouth of the Des Moines River, being seven weeks 
on their way. lie also built the first flatboat, in 
1814, that floated down tiie Des Moines River, and 
ran llie first loaded steamer from St. Louis to Des 
Moines, in 1851. He was appointed Commissioner 
of the Des Moines River Improvement, by Gov. 
Grimes, serving in tliat capacity in 1859. In fact 
lliere are few industries or enterprises, or works of 
improvement and progress of the earlj' da3's wilh 
which he was not connected. 

Mr. Manning has been twico married. In Lee 
County, Iowa. Marcli 8, 1812, he was joined in 
wedlock with Miss Sarah J. Sample, who was b jrn 
in Pennsylvania, July 21, 1816, and died June 1, 
1857, leaving three children — Calvin, a prominent 
attorney of Ottuniua, Iowa; William who is en- 
gaged in farming, and Anna (J. The second mar- 
riage of Kdwin Manning was solemnized Xoveinlfcr 
3, 185!i,the lady of his choice being Nannie Bryant, 
who was born in Indiana. February M, 1832, and is 
an adople<i daughter vf Hon. Joseph A. Wright. 
I'nU) them have been born live children: Albert, 
I'",dw;uil Hates, Stanley, Craig and Kalie W. Mrs. 
Manning and Kalie are members of the Congre- 
gational Church, and are among its most active and 
faithful workers. Out of the kindness of her 
heart Mrs. Mannings performs man}' acts of 
charity and deeds of love which have won for her 
ihe lasting gratitude and affection of those who 
were recipients of her bounty and the respect of all 
who were witnesses of her kindness. However her 
work is all performed in a quiet and unostentatious 
manner that it ni.ay not be praised by men. 

In early life, Mr. Manning was a Whig and east 
his first vote for Gen. Harrison. Since the organi- 
zation of the Republican party he has been one of 
its stalwart supporters, yet notwithstanding his 
prominence in the county and State he has steadily 
refused to accept public ofliee. devoting his atten- 
tion exclusively to his business interests and the 
discharge of bis duties as a private citizen. Words 
of praise and high re«ard are spoken on every 



hand of Mr. Manning who, it would seem, is with- 
out an enemy. .Stories are told of his generosity, 
of numberless good deeds quietly performed, of 
words of encouragement offered to the despondent, 
and of substantial aid given to those in need. In 
his earlier years his own life was a struggle to gain 
a firm financial standing and he therefore readil}' 
feels a sympathy for others. His capital when he 
started out in life for himself consiste<l of a good 
constitution, temperate and frugal habits, pluck and 
perseverance and unquestioned integrity, but he 
has in the years which have come and gone ac- 
quired an ample competence and worked his way 
upward to a prominent position and is respected 
of all men. 

As an illustration of the changes which have 
taken place during the half century which Mr. 
Manning has spent in Van Buren County, he cites 
the fact that he has lived in the territories of Mich- 
igan and Wisconsin, and the Territory and State of 
Iowa all under one roof. On his arrival there were 
only about one-fourlh as many inhabitants in the 
whole Territory as we now find in the county. Few 
iinprovemeiits had l)ei'ii made, the land w.is in its 
primitive condition and the future of the State was 
unknown. Even the most far-sighted could not 
have dreaineil of its brightness and we would cer- 
tainly claim it an honor to have been an eye-wit- 
ncss of the wonderful transformation, but to be an 
active participant in the various changes uhich 
have taken [ilace is a favor not shown to every one, 
yet among the latter class is enrolled Kdwin Man- 
ning, the pioneer of \'an Bmen County, and the 
builder of the lirst brick courthouse in the Stair of 
Iowa in 1812, which is now as good as new. 



* 



>f/OI-lN RUPP is now living a retired life on 
section 24, Lookridge Townshi|). Jefferson 
County. During his business career, hedevot. 
W ed himself to farming and liy industry, econ- 
omy, perse veran>'>c and good m.anagement acquired a 
capital which now enables h'm to spend his declin- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOORAPHICAL AM5UM. 



ing years in letiremenl, from labor. He was born 
near .Strasljiirg, Fraiici', on the 23fl of January. 
1812, and his paronts, .Tosepti and Barbara Rn pp. 
were also natives of that place. Holli spent their 
entire lives in France, the mother dyinij wlicn .lohn 
was a lad of liftetn, and the father while he was 
serving his term in the army. There were six 
children in the family but our sulijcct is the only 
one iiow living. 

John Rupi) is indeed a self-nnde ni.in for since 
the early .age of ten years he has been dependent 
upon bis own resources for a livelihood. At that 
age he began lierding cattle and his life was one of 
hard labor until he entered the army at the age of 
twenty-one. He served for some five and a half 
years, doing duty in Paris and on the Spanish 
frontier. Not long after his term had expired one 
of the most important events in his career took 
place, his marriage to Miss INIagdelena Baehman. 
He was now twentj'-nine j'ears of age, he h.ad a 
wife depending ujwn bim forsupport and had little 
that he could call his own. Although he might 
provide for their wants in his native hnd be felt 
that he coidd better his financial condition in the 
New World where opportunities offered were super- 
ior to the .advantages afforded in the old countries. 
After a voyage of thirty-mne d.ays. he set foot 
upon American soil and then continued on his 
journey to Holmes Count}-, Ohio, vvhere he made 
his first start in life. For four years he worked by 
the daj', clearing land and having accumulated 
some surplus capital, ho then made an investment 
in stock and renting a farm devoted his attention 
to the breeding of hogs and cattle. Continuing 
to be blessed with a fair degree of prosperity, in 
1852 he was enabled to come to Jefferson Count)'. 
Iowa, and purchase one hundred and sixty acres of 
land in Lockridge Township, paj-ing ^'AH for tht' 
quarter section. As the tract was still in its primi- 
tive coniHtion with not a furrow turned or an im- 
]irovement made, he rented land one season while 
he was erecting a dwelling and liarns upon his own 
farm. That work being accomplished he removed 
to bis new home and then began life in earnest. 
He devoted himself to general farming and became 
the owner of three hundred and sixty acres of 
good land which is still in his possession, allliough 



he is not now operating It. He cotdd not speak 
the Knglish language on his arrival in America, 
but he soon m.astere.1 the tongue and by his fair 
and honest dealing aud his evi<lenl desire to please 
those for whom he worked he was not long in 
obtaining employment. The property which he 
acquired is but a just recompense for his labors. 
It surrounds him in old age with the comforts of 
life anil enabks him to spend his declining years 
unharassed by the trials and perpli'\ili(w ,,f busi- 
ness. 

In 18'.M) Mr. Hupp was called upon to mourn the 
loss of his wife who died on the 2Ith of April. For 
more than half a century they had traveled life's 
journey together and her loss made a desolate 
home. Mr. Rupp has since lived with his daughter. 
The following are the children born of their union : 
Christian, now deceased; Daniel, who is living in 
Nebraska; John, <»f Oregon; Henry, who resides 
on the old homestead ; Joseph, now deceased ; Jacob, 
of Colorado; and Magdelena. wif.- of Charles 
Krickson, a farmer of Lockridge Township, by 
whom she has four children living. They also lost 
one child. Mr. Rupp, as was his wife, is a member 
of the .Mennonile Church anda liberal supporter of 
the work. In politics he has been a stanch Demo- 
crat since becoming an American citizen, but takes 
no active part in political affairs. He has liveil an 
upright life worthy the respect and confidence of 
all who know him and is an honored citizen, whose 
life work we are pleased to record in this volume. 




A. MYKRS, a representative farmer and 
stock-raiser residing on section 34, Polk 
Townshi|). Jefferson Count)', is a native of 
Washington Count)-, Pa., born in 184!».an<l 
the youngest child in a family of thirteen chdilren, 
whose parents, .Stephen an<l Sarah (Huffman) 
Myers, were also natives of the Keystone .Slate. 
His father was born in 1802. ami on attaining 
to mature years wedded Miss Huffman, after which 
he continued to make his home in Pennsylvania 



578 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



until tlie spring of 1855, when, accompanied by 
liis family, lie followed the course of emigialion 
which was steadily drifting westward, and made a 
sellleraent in Polk Township. Jefferson County, 
Iowa. He became an extensive farmer of this 
community and was also recognized as one of its 
leading citizens. On his arrival, he made pur- 
chase of three hundred and seven acres of partially 
improved land, to which he afterwards added one 
hundred and sixty acres, pl.icing the entire amoiinl 
under cultivation and adding many substantial and 
ornamental improvements. He was a man of more 
than average ability, possessed good business 
qualiticiitions, was fair and honest in all his deal- 
ings and won for himself a comfortable competency. 
His death occurred in 1872, and his wife, who was 
a faithful member of the I5ai)tist Church and a 
most estimable lady, was called to her final rest in 
the same year. As licfore staled, Mr. and Mrs. 
Myers were parents of thirteen children and the 
family circle remained unbroken until all had 
grown to manhood and womanhood. Kicliard is now 
a farmer of Polk Township ; Amanda is the deceased 
wife of P. T. Henness; Mar^' is the deceased wife 
of George Cumphell; .Solomon H. is a resi('.ent 
farmer of Polk Townshi|); J.acob C. is a shoe 
maker of Iledrick, Iowa; Lavina is the deceased 
wife of (ieorge Hayes; Kln\ira became the wife of 
iM'astus Ramet, but has also been called from this 
life; Casandre is the deceased wife of Jackson 
Rilej'; Sarah liis also departed this life; Elizabeth 
became the wife of George Scott, but is now 
numbered among the dead; Levi G. is engaged in 
f:irming in Polk Township; Rhoila is the wife of 
.h)nathan Longerbone, a resident farmer of Polk 
'i'ownship; and S. A. completes the famil3'. 

When a lad of six summers, our subject ac- 
companied his parents on their emigration to Iowa, 
and in the district schools of the neighborhood he 
acquired a good English education. I'nder the 
paternal roof he was reared to manhood and at the 
nge of eighteen years he began life for himself as a 
farmer, renting land of his father. In 1874, when 
about twenty-five years of age, he was united 
in marriage with Miss .Sarah IC. Longerbone, whose 
home was in Polk Township, and who is a daughter 
of Parkerson and Lueinda (Grice) Longerbone. 



who arc r?sidents of this community. Their union 
has been blesseil with five cliildron. four sons and 
one daughter. The latter. Dais}', is the eldest of 
the family, and her brothers are Charles O., 
Lawrence A., Truman O. and Waller A. 

The family has a comfortable home as the result 
of the industry and i)erseverance of Mr. Myers, 
who is regarded as one of the progressive farmers 
of the township. He now owns a well-improved 
farm of three hundred and eighty acres, a glance at 
which will give evidence of its thrift and enter- 
prise. He provides his wife and children with 
every thing that will enhance their happiness, their 
home is the abode of hospitality and the members 
of the household rank high in the social world. 
Mr. and Mrs. Myers are members of the Baptist 
Church. Ho gives liberalh' for the support of all 
laudable enterprises, and in politics is a sniiporter 
of Republican principles. 



=^ 



'^f AMES W. GORDON, proprietor of :i livery, 
sale and boarding stable, of Fairfield, Iowa, 
commenced business in his present line in 
188G. but has been a resident of the county 
since 1876. He is a native of Waynesburg, Greene 
County. Pi)., born September 18. 1856. and a son 
of Adam and Lydia A. (Rhodes) Gordon, both of 
whom were also natives of Greene County. (Jn 
the father's side the family is of Scotch origin, and 
on the maternal side of Irish descent. 

The days of his boyhood anrl youth our subject 
passed uneventfully in his native State, and at the 
age of twenty j-ears ho came to Iowa, where he 
has since made his home, locating on a farm near 
Fairfield Citj'. To the cultivation and improvement 
of his land he devoted his attention for some ten 
years, when in 1886, he sold out and bought into 
his jiresent business. 

On the 1-Ith of October, 1883, in Lonica, La 
Salle County, III., Mr. Gordon was married, the 
lady of his choice being Miss Cora A. Van Atta, a 
native of La Salle Count}', and a daughter of 



PORTRAIT AND IJIOGRAPHKA I Al I'.IM. 



r.TH 



Wilson Van Attn. By their iinidii wore born 
lliice children, but one of the ntmibfr. tlie seconil 
in ordci of birtii, ()ra, died at the a<;e (.f ten 
montlis. riiose Kviiig; are Lidda A. and Hazel A. 
In Ids political afliHations Mr. (Gordon is a 
siippiirter of Democratic principles, and socially be 
is a member of the Royal Arcanum, hclonginjf to 
the local lodge of Fairliidd. His business is now 
in a flourishing condition and he is winiiiiiLr a fair 
share of the public [latronage. He has ail the 
accommodations of a fiist-elass livery, and those 
uhi) once do business with him are ever afterward 
willing to extend to liini their further patronage 
on .account of his promptness and courteous 
treatment. 



-^♦^^I<^-^- 



A McREYNOLDS. The history of Jef- 
ferson County would be incomplete with- 
out tills sketch, fur our subject is one of her 
prominent citizens and honored pioneers, 
who for forty-six years has made his home 
upon section I'.t, I'olk Towiislii[). He was born 
in Allen County, Ky., in 1811, being the sixth 
in a family of eleven children, whose parents 
were Edward and Sall\- (Anderson) McReynclds. 
The McHeynolds family is of Irish origin and 
was founded in North Carolina during Colonial 
days. The paternal grandfather during the W.ir 
for Independence entered the service as a 
private, lint for meritorious conduct and bravery 
displayed on the field of battle was promoted to 
the rank of Major. The grandfather Anderson- 
who was also a Revolutionary hero, was of Swed- 
ish descent. Edward McReynoIds, father of our 
subject, was a native of North Carolina, liut dur- 
ing his youth went to Tennessee and was married 
in Kentucky to .Miss Anderson, who was born in 
^'irginia. They began their domestic life upon a 
farm in Tennessee alor.g the banks of the Cumber- 
laiiil River, but after a number of years, in 1831, 
remove<l to Indiana, locating in C.iltson County, 
which continued to be their home until 1844. 




That year wilupi-sed the arrival of the family in 
.lelTerson County. Iowa, and upon a farm in Polk 
Township, Mr. McReynolds spent the remainder of 
his life, dying in 180.'), al the age of eighty-one 
years. The death of his wife occurred in 18.j-i. at 
the age of sixty- three years. 

Our subject was reared among the wihl scenes 
of frontier life as during his boyhood days, (Jilison 
Couuty. Ind. was but sparsely settled. The priva- 
tions of pioneer life were therefore not unfamiliar 
to him and in a measure he wsis prepared for his 
experience on this side of the Mississippi. He en- 
tered upon his business career as a farmer in Oib 
son County and was there married in 184(i, to 
Clarissa Prince, a native of New York, .and a 
daughter of Elijah and Caroline (.lones) Prince, 
the former born in Connecticut and the latter in 
the Empire .State. In 18;57 they became residents 
of Indiana, where I)olh passed aw.ay, but Mrs. 
Prince survive<l her husband some twenty years. 

Mr. McReynolds continued his farming opera- 
tions in Indiana until 1811. when enticed by the 
opi)r)rtunities atTordeil by the Territory of Iowa, he 
settled in .Jefferson County. Entering eighty acres 
of land from the ( lovernment, he at once began its 
development, and greatly increased its value by 
the erection of a nice house and good barns. A 
one hundred and seventy-acre tract now jiays tribute 
to his care and cidtivation, but he has not attained to 
his present prosperous condition without laborious 
effort. His only property on his arrival in the 
countj' was a team and wagon ami the latter he 
traded for his claim. He eng.aged in driving cattle 
to market and in various w.ays added to his capital 
until he could make another investment. At that 
day the Indians were about as numerous as the 
white settlers, wild game of all kinds w.as yet plen- 
tifid, the rude homes of the pioneers were widely 
scattered and the work of development and civili- 
zation seemed scarcely begun. In many ways_ 
Mr. McReynolds has aideil in the growth and u|<- 
building of tlie community. He was one of the 
first school teachers in Polk Township, is said to 
have taught the first school in his district and has 
ever identified himself with the educational in- 
terests as he believes that to be an essential to 
good citizenship, lie assisted in organizing the 



580 



PORTRAIT AND lUOORAPIIlCAL ALBUM. 



school district and has served on the Scliool Boiir.l 
fur thirty \ears. Socially, he is a member ul' 
Abingdon Lodge, No. 104. A. !•". <fc A. M. aii'l po- 
litically is a Republican. 

In 1858, Mr. McRe.>nolds was called upon to 
mourn the loss of his wife. I5y tliat union were born 
ten children, six yet living and four deceased- 
George W. is married and resides in Ottumwa ; Mary 
J. is now Mrs. Randall of Clay County. Neb.; O. II. 
is married and also makes his home in Clay County; 
.lohn W. is living in Clay County; Lucilla is now 
Mrs. Collins of Kansas City; W. S. is married 
and resides in Clay County, Neb. Mr. Mc- 
Reynolds was again married in Jefferson County, 
in 1859, his second union being with Miss Mary 
McCord, who is a native of ^'irginia, and a 
daughter of Henjamin and Nancy (Webb) Rob- 
inson. Her parents were also born in the Old 
Dominion and from Illinois removed to Jef- 
fersmi County in 1844. They developed a farm in 
I'dlk Townsliip but both are now deceased. 

Mr. and Mrs. JIcReynolds are members of the 
Methodist E|>iscopal Church, having been connect- 
ed will) it for many years, during which time they 
have labored for its interests and liberally support- 
ed the cause. Their lives are in accordance with 
till ir professic)ns and their friends yield them the 
respect and conlidencc rleserved li\- their worth and 
upright lives. 



OIIN NELSON NOUKIS, M. D., a leading 
pli.^ sician and .surgeon of Van IJuren County 
residing in Birmingham, w.as born in Steuben 
Count}', N. Y., .Inne 7, 181 (i, and is a son 
of .James and Ileltie (llyatl) Norris. The famil}' 
is of '-erman origin. Shadrach Norris, the grand- 
father of our subject, emigrated from Germany to 
this country and settled in New Jersey. His wife 
WHS a native of Comity Antrim. Ireland. After 
their marriage they removed to .Steuben County, 
N. Y. The father of the Doctor was born in New 
Jersey, in 1784. He served his country in the War 



' of 1812, and after his return from the arm^' was 
marri(;d in Steuben County, in 1815, to Miss Hyatt 
who was boi'n in the same county in 17'J0, and 
came of pure English stock. He was a farmer by 

j occupation but at the time of his death which oc- 
curred in 1829, he was working at contracting on 
the Ohio canal. His wife died some six years later 
in the faith of the I5aplist Church, of which she 
was a member. In political sentiments, Mr. Norris 
was a supporter of Democratic principles. In their 
family were four children, of whom three are yet 
living — Rebecca, widow of Isaac Young, a resident 
of Albany, Ore. ; John Nelson of this sketch, .nnd 
Weltlia, widow of Dr. \\'illiam Miller, also resid- 
ing in Albany, Ore. 

The days of his boyhood and youth our subject 
spent upon .-i farm and in the common schools of 
that d.ay acquired f. good English education. How- 
ever, not desiring to follow the [uirsuit to which 
he had been reared, he left the parental roof and 
bidding gt)od-by to home and friends started out 
in life to make his own way in tlie world. The 
arst pursuit to which he turned his attention w.is 
that of clerking, being employed in a store at Mil- 
lersburg. Ohio. He conceived the idea of making 
the practice of medicine his life work and during 
his leisure hours gave his time to the study of that 

I science. In 1837, he and his broMier-in law, Dr. 
William Miller, came to Iowa, ami in February of 
1838, located adjoining the site of the present 
town of Birmingham, which has since grown up 
around them. The}' built a cabin of hickor\' poles 
which they adorned with a sliA chimney and 
though the roof served well in dr}' weather' it 
proved hardly adequate in the rainy season. The 
Doctor was his own cabinet maker; with auger and 
ax he constructed a bed which at least possesseil 
one admirable quality', that of strength. Soon after 
arriving. Dr. Miller and his wife were taken sick 
and Dr. Norris, being an "all around n'lan" served 
as housekeeper, nurse, doctor and cook. To fill the 
last position required no little ingenuity. They 
had brought a sack of meal with them but it had 
got wet and spoiled and he therefore had to im- 
provise a grater and provide the bread stuff. Salt 
was wanting but he boiled salt beef hones and thus 
obtained the much desired article. Stagnant [)ond 



PORTRAIT AND BlOCRAl'llRAI, ALI'.IM 



r.^i 



water was not very palatable but who cared for 
tlmt vvlieii M itli one stroke of the bucket you could 
iliivc tlie scum away and scare tiic tadpoles to the 
liottoui. Is it any wonder llial a person who could 
find some way to surmount sucli obstacles as this 
should succeed in professional life. The Doctor 
was Messed with a liberal patronage from the first. 
lie would often ha\ e to drive twenty or twenty- 
live miles to visit a patient and became knoivii all 
over the county. Having practiced until 1H;")4, he 
was !ir;idu;ilc(l from the medical department of the 
State rniversity, then at Keokuk. Twenty-two 
students have prepared themselves for college un- 
der his instruction; he has been very successful in 
surgery, iiaxing cut out some twenty-two tumors 
and has had an extensive and successful course of 
l>ractice on the eyes, patients coming to him from 
different .Stales to receive treatment. 

On Jul^- 2G, 1842, Dr. Norris was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Margaretta S. Culbertson, a native 
of Ohio, and unto them were born two children — 
Ilettie F., widow of C. M. Selvey, and Samuel C. 
who served in the Thiid Iowa Cavalry during the 
late war. He was taken [jrisoner near Memphis, 
r<'nn., and then sent to Andersonvillc, where he 
remained in captivity for four months. He died in 
1871, from the effects of prison life. The mother 
of these children was called to her linal rest in 
September. 1847. The Doctor w.is again married 
October "26, 1848, the lady of his choice l)eing 
Barbara Miller, who was born in Highland County, 
Ohio, December 22, 1823, and came to this county 
among its early settlers. Their union has been 
blessed with six children — Izora M., wife of John 
S. Riigsilale, a druggist of Birmingham; .lohn M. 
who died when about two years olii ; Dr. W. Pitt, 
who for some sixteen years has been a partner of 
his father, and Dr. J.ay C. who has shared in their 
business for some seven years. 

In early life, Dr. Norris supported the Whig 
party until the rise of the Abolition party. On the 
organization of the Republican party he joined its 
ranks but within the past fifteen years he has been 
independent, voting alone for the man who he 
thinks will best fill the position. Religiously, he 
grasps the broad idea of the brotherhood of all 
Christians, making the test of fellowship, loyalty to 



Christ. The Doclor U:,-. \Ur lionorof having aiiU-d 
in laying out the town of Birmingham an.) giving 
it its name. In 183!» John Harrison look a'claim 
on which the city now stands. The Doctor after 
much argument and many promises of assistance 
induced Mr. Harrison to make the venture of 
founding the town and Ihe result shows that his 
ideas were correct. He has witnessed its growth, 
has been identified with its advancement and has 
done not a little for ils upbuilding. For fifty-one 
years he has been engaged in the practice of medi- 
cine in Van Buren County, during whi<'h he has 
won a reputation equal to any in this section and 
as a true student slill keeps himself well informed 
concerning the progressive movement of the science. 



':>'^;^iVt^it5<^^ 



^j^ HAULES SHIPMAN CLARKi;, M. I)., a 
(t^ P'0»«er physician of Jit. Pleasant. Iowa. 
\is<' and for many years a prominent business 
man of Fairfield, was born in Marietta, Ohio, De- 
cember IT), 1814, and was a son of Sylvester and 
Mary (Bull) Clarke. His father. Sylvester Clarke, 
w.as of Knglish descent, born March 27, 178i;, in 
West Middleton. Conn. His mother. Mary (Bull) 
Clarke, was also of Knglish tlescent, born in Wenth- 
erslield. Conn.. M.irch 5, 1787. They were married 
September 20, 1807, and became the [tarenls of six 
children. Charles Shipman, the eldest son, was 
born, as staled, in Ohio, where his parents had emi- 
grated at an early day, his mother having an inter- 
est in what w.as known as the Ohio Compan\'s 
Purchase. The family lived in Marietta until 1817 
when they removed to Fredericktown.Knox County 
of the same State, where Ihey made their home for 
many years, coming to Iowa in the anlumn of 
1 8 1.'{, settling in .Ml. Pleasant, where they spent the 
remainder of tiieir lives. The father died .M.arch 
3, l8/)8, and the mother departed this life Octolier 
22, 1845. 

Dr. Clarke received a liberal <Mliiention and at- 
tended a course of lectures at the Columbus .Medi- 
cal College in I83j, afur which he entere<l upon 



i82 



PORTUAIT AND BlOGRAFllK AL ALUIM. 



the piattici- of his profession ;ii Suiihury. Delaware 
County, Ohio. On tlie Hlh of October, 1837, he 
WHS married, in Fredericktown, to Miss .Sarah L. 
AVailsnurtli. who is a native of Piltsforil, Vt.. and 
a dan-jhter of Satniiel and .Sarah (Yemans) Wads- 
worlli. Ili-r father and paternal grandfather were 
horn in Stoui;ht(in, M.ass..and were related to Henry 
Wadsworlh Longfellow, Anifrica's illustrious poet. 
Mrs. Clarke is a descendant of Christopher Wads- 
worlh. the founder of the family in this country, 
who landed on the American shore from the good 
ship "I-ion" September 10, lG.i2. He had four 
children. thre« sons and a daughter. The eldest 
son, Cipt. .Samuel Wadsworth, was killed in the 
Indian War in Sudbury, Mass. Mrs. Clarke's 
grandfather, David Wadsworth, and father, Sam- 
uel Wadsworth, were born in Stoughton, Mass. 
The former married Kleanore Capen and unto 
them were born six children, of whom Samuel w.as 
the eldest. The family removed to Hulland, Vt., 
whereon the 21st of October, 1813, Samuel mar- 
rictl Sarah Yemans. Unto them were born eight 
children, three of whom died in infancy. Through 
I he persuasion of David Wadsworth, who had been 
in the West several years and who returned to 
Vermont to visit his aged parents, his brother 
Samuel decided to emigrate to Ohio, hoping thereby' 
ID better the condition of his children. He settled 
in Kridericktown, the home of Dr. Clarke, who 
first became acquainted with Sarah Wadsworlh 
dui ing their school d.ays. 

The Doctor practiced a year with his old precep- 
tor and after m.arrying Miss Wadsworth removed 
to Sunbiiry, Delaware County, where he spent 
about four 3ears, when Ids wife became so ill that 
her life was despaired of. She finally rallied so far 
as to be able to travel and the Doctor took her to 
Kentucky, hoping ihat a milder climate would re- 
store her health. After four pleasant years of im- 
l)rovement they returned to Ohio. The Doctor now 
carrieil out his long-cherished wish of attending 
another course of lectures and was graduated with 
honor in Cincinnati in 1843. Returning home be 
found a sister and brother-in-law on the eve of re- 
moving to Iowa and anxious that he should accom- 
pany them. As he was unsettled he concluded to 
do so and found a good opening in Mt. rie;isant 



where he devoted fourteen years to an active and 
successful practice. His ability and skill gave him 
rank among the leading physicians of the State and 
he was recognized as a prominent member of the 
county and State medical societies. On the 24lh 
of January, 1855, he was appointed by the Gen- 
eral Assembly a member of the Board of Commis- 
sioners whose duty it was to purchase and locale a 
site and .adopt plans for an insane asylum. Gov. 
Grimes and Judge Edward Johnson were appointed 
his associates on the Board. The Commissioners 
made a lour of nine of the Eastern States, decided 
on a plan and selected Mt. I'leasant as the site of 
the proposed asjlum. During the erection and 
completion of the institution the Doctor was act- 
ivel}' idenlifie 1 with its management and to his 
foresight the people of the Slate arc much indebted 
for the perfection and successful start of that im- 
portant State institution. In 1857.on acount of im- 
paired health, he removed to Fairfield and eng.aged 
in the drug business with the view of retiring from 
the more arduous life of a pr.acticiug iilivsician. 
From that lime forward he virlually abandoned all 
practice, only making an occasional exception to 
the rule. when, out of the kindness of his heart, be 
attended without charge a member of the family- of 
some intimate friend. 

Dr. Clarke's family consisted of his wife and five 
children, two daughters and three sons, to whom he 
was devoted with that earnest tenderness which 
characteri«ed his nature. Charles A., the eldest 
son, married Miss Ella A. Acheson, a daughter of 
George Acheson, and is a Lieutenant in the United 
Slates Navy, now stationed on the Sandwich Isl- 
ands, (ieorge D., the next younger married Miss 
Etta Montgomery and is engaged in the drug busi- 
ness in Fairfield ; J. Frederick, the youngest of the 
famil3', was graduated from the Stale University of 
Iowa in the class of 1886 and from the University of 
Pennsylvania with the degree of M. D. in the class 
of 188y. He now holds the position of resident 
physician in the Philadelphia Hospital. 

Dr. Clarke was a Whig in earh- life and on the 
dissolution of thai parly was one of the first to aid 
in the formation of the Republican party. He was 
an earnest |}aliiot and during the late war for the 
preservation of the Union was a stanch supporter 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



583 



of llie administration of President Lincoln. His 
acquaintance was extensive among tlie leading pub- 
lic men of Iowa and he enjoyed the c()nfidence an<l 
liersonal regard of siicli as Gov. Kiri<wood, Gov. 
(i rimes, Senator Harlan and many others of prom- 
inence. He was well versed in politics and always 
manifested a deep interest in public affairs and ex- 
ercised a strong influence in that direction without 
desiring preferment for liimself. For many years 
his place of business was the [lolilical headr,uarters 
for the leaders of his parlv in Fairfield, and Dr. 
Clarke's opinions and advice were much sought 
and consulted. When in the year 1872 Horace 
Greeley and many other leading Republicans op- 
posed the re-election of Grant, Dr. Clarke joined 
that part of the party called "Liberal Repub- 
licans" and opposed the regular nominations of 
the old part}'. True to his convictions and in spite 
of the strong ties of personal friendship existing 
between himself and the Republican leaders in 
lo-va. Dr. Clarke continued to support the opposi- 
tion and thereby necessarily became estranged to a 
certain extent from his old party afliliations. He 
at once became prominent on tiie olher side and at 
one time was nominated for the Slate .Senate by 
tiie Democrats and Liberals but his party strength 
was not equal to securing his election. In liis re- 
ligious views. Dr. Clarke was broad and liberal 
and should properly be classed as a Unitarian. 
However, he gave to the support of ciiurchcs of ail 
denominations and was free-hearted and generous 
in support of all worthy public enterprises. To 
young Uicn he was especially helpful in encourag- 
ing anil aiding them to make a start in life. The 
unfortunate ond needy always found in him a true 
friend and were always benefiteil by his warm sym- 
pathy and substantial generosity. He continued in 
the drug business in Fairfield up to the time of his 
last illness, which resulted in his death nn the 4lh 
of March, 1882. 

The principles of fraternal'and benevolent socie- 
ties attracted the attention of Dr. Clarke in early 
life and were in sympatb}' with his generous and 
social nature. He became a Mason in Mt. Pleasant 
and w.as at the time of his death a member of Clin- 
ton Lodge, No. 15, A. F. it A. M. anrl of .lefforson 
Lodge, No. 4, I. O. O. F., of Fairfield. He took n 



warm interest in educational matters and in 1859 
was elected the first President of the Hoard of the 
Fairfield independent school district and was ac- 
tively connected with the Hoard for several years. 
The Jefferson County Public Library enlisted his 
wannest interest from the time of his coming to 
Fairfield. He was elected a member of the Library 
Board in 1858 and that institution had few more 
devoted fiiends or workers than he. 

Jlrs. Clarke survives her husband and is still a 
resident of Fairfield, where she enjoys the high es- 
teem and kindly rc:;iud of a wide circle of friends.' 



^^=^ S. BAILKY, M. D., is one of the pioneer 
'sicians and early settlers of Van Buren 
having made his home within its 
borders since June. 1837. Probably no man in 
the community has been more prominently identi- 
fied witli its history, especially iluring the early 
days, than he, and the active part which he took 
in the upbuilding and advancement of the county's 
interests certainly deserves mention in this vol- 
ume and should be remembered with gratitude by 
the citizens through coming generations. Indiana 
was the State of his nativity, and in Lawrence 
County, on the 3d of June, 1809. he first oi^ned 
his eyes to the light of day. His parents were 
Charles and Sally (.Smith) Bailey, and he was 
the sixth child of the family. The days of his 
boyhood and youth were spent in Lawrence County 
and at an early age he determined to engage in the 
practice of medicine. To this end he entered the 
office of Dr. Moberly, under whose direction he 
pursued a course of reading, which he continued 
until accompanying his family on their removal to 
Shelby County, 111., where he completed his medi- 
cal studies and entered upon the practice of his 
cliosen profession in Charleston, Coles County. It 
was during his residence in that place that he led 
to the marriage altar Miss Julia .Manwaring, an ac- 
complished lady, a native of Connecticut. Their 
union was celebrated in 1835, and for three years 



5S4 



PORTHAir AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



they resided in Illinois, but believing lliat tlie ' 
country beyond the Mississippi would furnish btt 
tcr opportunities for a young man in his profes- 
sion, the Doctor and bis wife crossed the Father of 
Waters into Iowa. He chose Van Buren County 
as the scene of his future la1)ors, and they took up 
their residence in a rude log cabin, but ere the fiist 
season bad passed he erected a neat frame residence. 

At once, after reaching Iowa, Dr. Bailey em- 
barked in the practice of bis profession and for a 
few years did an extensive business in that line, 
but his attention was then attracted toward politi- 
cal questions, and laying aside his business inter- 
ests, he entered .actively into political life. From 
1838 until 18G1 he was conlinuaHy serving the 
jjcople in some oHicial caiiacity, whereby lie gained 
a wide reputation and made many friends among 
the prominent citizens of the .Slate. He represented 
Van lUircn County in the First General Assembly 
under Territorial Government, which convened in 
the Jleliioilist Church in Burlington in 1838; he 
was a member of the Territorial Council and served 
as United Slates Marshal of Iowa under the admin- 
istration of President Polk. He was a member of 
the State Senate during the special session of 18G1, 
when questions of the greatest importance, attend- 
ing the Civil War. came up for decision. His pub- 
lic, as well as his private life is above reproach, for, 
ever faithful to the trust reposed in hira, he dis- 
ch.'irgeil his duties with fidelity and promptness, 
winning the respect of all with whom he came in 
contact. 

In 1 8G.5 Dr. Bailey was called upon to mourn 
the loss of his wife, who died in the month of Feb- 
ruary-. They were the parents of two childien, a 
son and a daughter — Augustus C, now living in 
Lancaster, Mo. ; and Julia, deceased wife of Har- 
ris Waterman. The Doctor was again married 
September 3, 18C9, his second union being with 
Ann M. Schneek, daughter of Jacob Scliueck. She 
was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, in 1839, and 
came to this country when twenty years of age. 
Their union has been blessed with one child, Gid- 
eon C. 8., now a youth of fourteen years. The 
Doctor has for some time past lived a retired 
life. Being now in his declining years, he is rest- 
ing from the toils and labors of the past, having 



acquired a competence, which releases him from 
all cares. He was formerly one of the most promi- 
nent and energetic citizens of \'an Buren County, 
anil is now an honored pioneer, who yet retains his 
interest in the growth and upliuilding of the county 
for wliicli he <lid so much in earlier years. 



^- 



.•>~--»TO.=;- 



EXRY D. BLorcUI, farmer and breeder of 
, fine stock, resides on section 5, Cedar 
Townsliii), Jefferson County. He was born 
(^) in Somerset County, Pa., July 14, I.S30, 
and isasonof David ;nMl Mar^' (Speicher) Blough. 
He is of (jerman descent, belonging to a family 
which w.as established in America during Colonial 
daj-s by the great-grandfather of our subject who 
left the Fatherland during the early years of his 
manhood to become a resident of America. He 
settled in Pennsylvania anfl when the war broke 
t>ut between the Colonies and the mother country 
he took his stand in defense of the oppressed peo- 
ple and did valiant service for his adopted country. 
The grandfather of Henry was born in Pennsyl- 
vania and was a farmer b}- occupation. 

His father, David Blough, was born in Somerset 
County, Pa., in 1777, atid was the youngest of a 
family composed of sis sons and one daughter. In 
his native county he married Fannie Geiman, and 
unio them were also born seven children, three 
sons and four daughters, viz: F.lizabeth, Barbara, 
Peter, John, Sarah, Fanny and Christian. After 
her death he wedded Miss .Speicher, who was born 
in Somerset County in 1793, and was also of Gei'- 
raan <lescent. Having eng.aged in farming in the 
Keystone State until 183G, he then removed to 
Wayne County, Ohio, where both he and his wife 
spent the remainder of their lives, the former dj'ing 
at the age of sixty-nine years and the latter in the 
sixty-seventh year of her age. Both were mem- 
bers of the Ornish Church and he was a supporter 
of Democratic principles. By their union were 
born live sons, all of whom followed in the footsteps 
of the father, making farming their life occupa- 



I 



PORTRAIT AND BIO(; RAPIIICAL ALIUIM. 



■>h:, 



tion. Daviil :uu\ Joseph follow that i)iiisuit in 
AVayne County. Ohio; Henry 1). is the next 
younger; Moses curries on cnrpenleriiifj in connec- 
tion with fnrinini^, niu) .lacnh (h'votcs his encrijies 
to' the cultivntioti of the snil in Wayne County, 
Oliio. 

The first five years of iii.s life Henry D. Rlou.i.'li 
spent in his native State. l)ut when a lad of scnuc' 
six summers, he avc mpanioil his parents to Ohio 
wliere he acquired Ins education in an old-time lo;" 
schoolhouse to which they gave the very inappro- 
priate name of the Temple. As tliere were five 
boys in the family they would take turns in .attdid- 
ing school.. They were mostly educated in the 
language of the Fatherland, liut our sidiject also 
managed to acquire a fair English education. He 
was but sixteen years of age when his father died 
and he then began life for himself, running one of 
the first ^lassillon separators for several 3ears. He 
also devoted his energies to farming which has 
been his principal occupation through life. 

A marriage ceremony performed on January 11, 
1852, united the destinies of Henry D. Blongh 
and Miss Anna I5anghman. who was born in W.ayne 
County, Ohio, on the l.jtii of September. 1830. 
Her grandfatlier. wiio was of German birth, was 
the founder of the family in America, Ids home 
being in New York. Her father was left an orphan 
at a very earl3' age and sold for his raising. He be- 
came a shoemaker and followed that trade hotli in 
Pennsylvania and Wayne County, Ohio. In .Stark 
County. Oiiio, he was joined in wedlock with Atuia 
Oerbcr, a native of Somerset (\)unty. Ph., and soon 
afterward lliey removed to Wa^ ne County. Ohio, 
where six childnn were born unto them. 

I'pon the marriage of Mr. and .Mrs. Blongh they 
took up their residence in Klkhait County, Ind., 
wlu-re for three years, he engaged in farming,when 
in 1855 he came to Iowa. In Davis County, he 
purchaseil two hundred aiid forty acres of land, 
arlded many ini])rovenients thereto and continued 
its cultivation with good success until his removal 
to .leflferson Cuunly. At one lime while operating 
a threshing machine, he had the misfortune to catch 
his arm in a tumbling shaft which broke the hones 
between the wrist and cIdow an<l prevented h'ni 
from entering the service of his country which was 



then engage.l in civil warfare. In [•ebruary. 1865, 
he came to Jefferson County, and soon afterward 
purchased Die farm upon which he yet makes his 
home. Atonetinu'he owned an<l operated four 
hundred and twenty acres of good liind but has 
since deeded a one hundred and twenty -acre tract 
to his son. A good dwelling, commodious barns 
anil .all the improvements necessary to a model 
farm of the nineteenth century are there found 
and he takes deliglil in keeping everything al)out 
his place in lirsl-class order, but he devotes the 
greater part of his attention to stock-raising. In 
1871, he introduced the '.irst imported Perclieron 
horse into the county — Oranger. by name, which 
he exhibited at the fairs of Van Buren, Davis, Lee, 
Wa|iell()aud JetTerson Counties, securing premiums 
.as he went. Since that time he has always had on 
handsome line specimens of imported horses. Be- 
side sixteen he has imported for himself, he secured 
six head for ollici- parties. He has now in his 
stables seven full blooded Percherons,six of which 
he himself brought across the water. In 1886, 
again in 1887 and a third time the following year 
he went to France on that business. On the second 
Yoyage he was acconijianied by his son John and 
when far out at sea the ship burned with two hun- 
dred and fifty passengers on hoard. Crew and 
p.assengers workeil haril all through the night but 
were not able to quench the flames and were forced 
to take to the life-boats. Late that evening, a Ger- 
man vessel loaded with turpentine, took them ou 
board but it was not a passenger vessel and they 
were comi)elled to stand on deck all night with 
higii waves dashing over them. In the morning a 
packet took them and carried them to Queenstown, 
Ireland, where they arrived after eight days, dur- 
ing which time they had been kept on half raliims 
as the boat was not prepared to feed so many. How- 
ever they at length arrived safely, not a soul on 
board the unfortunate steamer having been lost. 
As before stated, Mr. Bh)Ugh lixs himself made 
tiuce trips across the water and in 188'.) his sons. 
John I), and Kli M. went to France and made the 
importations. 

As a citizen, Mr. Blongh is faithful tn every duty 
devolving upon him ami when c.alled upon to aid 
in the advancement of any public enterprise culeu- 



586 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



lated to benefit the comrauDity he responds cheer- 
fully anil willingly. In political sentiment, he is a 
Uoniocral and lie and his wife have accepted the 
belief tanglit liy the Ornish C'luiicli. A well-to-do 
citizen, he is also a self-made man, for without 
property or capital at the early age of sixteen years 
he began life for himself and has steadily worked 
bis way upward to a position of aflluence. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Blough have been born nine 
chililreu — .Simon II., a farmer of Des Moines Town- 
ship; Mary A., wife of Polk Dubois, a farmer of 
Fairfield Township; Elizabeth. Anna, John, Eli, 
Daviii, Melvin and Christian. The sons aid the fa- 
ther in his business enterprises and Tkc him are 
advocates of Democracy. 



-I^^I^-I 



I* t n 



"if/OlIX T. MADDIX has been engaged in the 
grocery business in Birmingham since 1887. 
He is a native of Holmes County, Ohio, 
born October 13, 1843, his parents being 
Samuel and Harriet (Gninn) Maddix. When he 
was but three years old, the family came to the 
Territory of Iowa, settling in the forks of the Coon 
River, near Des Moines, where some two 3'ears 
later the death of the father occurred. Mrs. Maddix 
then removed with her family to LibertyviUe. 
Jefferson County, where she yet makes her home, 
having now reached the ripe old ,age of seventj--two 
years. She has been twice married since. By the 
first union there were seven children, four sons 
and three daughters, and by her second ni.Trriage 
a son was born. 

John T. Maddix was the fourth in order of birth 
and like the other members of the family' the oiilj- 
educational advantages which he received were such 
as the district schools of that d.ay afforded. As 
soon as he was old enough he had to begin work 
that he might provide for his own m.-iinteiiance. A 
lad of thirteen years, he started out in life for him- 
self to light the battle with the world. He entered 
a mill in Birmingham, where lie was employed 
until the breaking out of the war. Prompted by 



patriotism and a desire to show his loyalty by ser- 
vice in the field, though only seventeen j'ears of age, 
he enrolled his name with the members of Companj' 
II, Third Iowa Cavalry, enlisting on the 9lh of 
August, 1861. Having served in Southern Missouri 
until 1862, with his command he marched with the 
I'nion troops to Arkansas and participated in the 
capture of Little Rock. There having veteranized 
he came home on a furlough, at the expiration of 
thirty days again joined his command at Memphis, 
Tenn., following which he participated in the 
battles of Guntown and Tupelo, Miss. Returning 
to St. Louis, the troops were then sent out after 
Price and on returning Mr. Maddix embarked on 
the ill-fated boat, "Maria," which was blown up at 
Carondelet. After some dela^' he went to Louis- 
ville, Ky., where for a time he was detained b}' 
sore e3-es. He was then sent to Keokuk, where he 
remained until the close of the war. He received 
his discharge at Davenport, August 9. 18GJ, after 
four years service. 

Returning to his home, Mr. Maddix and an uncle 
soon afterwards purchased a saw mill at Unionton, 
Scotland County, Mo., but a year later he sold out 
and was employed as a salesman at that place. It 
was during his residence there that on the 28t)i of 
August, 1866, he wedded Elizabeth Hall, a native 
of Scotland County. He then embarked in mer- 
chandising but giving credit too freely caused his 
failure. Again he returned to his old pursuit of 
milling, purchasing a mill which he operated two 
years. In 1871, he returned to Iowa and for the 
succeeding two years engaged in milling in Selma, 
after wliich he came to Birmingham where he was 
employed as sawyer for three years. In company 
with a gentleman lie then purchased a mill and 
sawed ties for the railroad. Their partnership was 
at length dissolved, Mr. Maddix receiving as his 
share of the business the mill which he afterwards 
sold for §1,800. In 1 887. he opened the grocery 
store in Birmingham which now takes rank among 
the leading establishments of its kind. He is the 
owner of the building and stock and has a good 
trade among the best class of jicople. Politically, 
Mr. Maddix is a Democrat and has served as city 
Alderman and in other local positions. Socially 
he is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. 






^ 




I 



PORTRAIT AND RIOGRAPIIirAI. AI.IUM. 



'.89 



Three children have been born of the union of 

John T. Maddix and Elizabeth Hall, the eldest of 
of wiioui, Alva L.. is a barber of BirniinLdinm ; 
Miiiiiie L. is the next younger, and Kmlyinion C. 
completes the fainil}-. 



^/OIIN BALDWIN ARNOLD, a le.adlnj? far- 
mer of Union Townshij), \nu Huren County, 
residing on section 34, was born in Kalr- 
i^J' field County, Ohio, January 5, 1827, his 
parents being George and Rachel ( Wrigtit) Arnold. 
The family is of Englisli origin and was founded 
in America by the grandfather of oui subject, who 
braved the dangers of an ocean voyage, crossing 
the Atlantic to .'..merica, and settled in Maryland 
in Colonial days. George Arnolil w.as born near 
Frederickstowu. that .State, and on reaching man- 
hoo<l wedded Miss Wright who was also a native 
of Maryland. Her father was a native of Ireland 
but her mother's people were of Scotch extraction. 
In an early day the parents of our subject made 
them a home in Fairfield County, Ohio. They 
settled in the midst of a dense forest of majjle and 
beeches, but notwithstanding the ditliculty of the 
task a fine farm was there developed, upon which 
they resided until called to the home above. He 
died at the age of eighty-five j'ears, strong in the 
faith of the Catholic Church, and she was a strong 
believer in the Presbyterian doctrine, dying a 
member of that church, at the age of fifty-seven 
years. Their family numbered seven children but 
only two are now living— ;-Mrs. Eliza Ewing who 
makes her home in Ohio and our subject. 

John Baldwin Arnold w.-js the fifth in order of 
birth in his father's family. He w.os early inured 
to hard labor,being reared on a new farm in the midst 
of the forest, but the lessons of thrift and industry' 
which he learned in his 3-outh were never forgotten 
and have proved of incalculable benefit in later 
years. On reaching his majority his father began 
to p.ay him for his services on the farm at the rate 
of $9 per month, he having hitherto performed 



the san.t -• i . i. . « iilumt cuiiipcnsalion as the re- 
turn of a dutiful son for the care which he had 
received m his childhood. His first business ven- 
ture was accomplished after riding five hundred 
miles on horseback to Maryland, where he settled 
up the business pertaining to a small estate left his 
mother. 

On the 10th of .September, 1848, Mr. Arnold 
was joined in marriage with Miss Louisa Cupp, 
who the same year had come to Van Buren County. 
She was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, June 25, 
1828, and the same year of his marriage Mr. Arnold 
came with his father-in-law to Iowa, where he spent 
one winter, l)ut having no money with which to 
purchase land he returned to Ohio, where he rented 
a farm some seven ye.irs. In 18.J5, having in the 
meantime accumulated some capital, he once more 
came to Van Buren County and purchased one 
hundred and sixty acres of land, his (jreseut farm, 
or rather a portion of it, as its boundaries Lave 
been greatly extended by additional purchases. 
Only thirty-five acres had been placed under culti- 
vation but in a short time the entire quarter section 
was yielding him a ready return for the labor 
bestowed upon it. As opportunity offered Ije made 
other investments in lands an<l at one time was the 
owner of seven hundreil acres, but a portio.i of this 
amount he has since given to his children. Two 
sons and six daughters were born unto Mr. aii'l 
Mrs. Arnold as follows: Emma F., wife of Richard 
Brewer; George W. who died in infancy; Mary 
A., wife of A. Brumley ; John L., a resident farmer 
of I'nion Township. \'an Buren County; Rachel 
L. who died in infancj'; Clari A., wife of Elias 
Hall; Alpha N.. wife of Charles Warner; and Ada 
C. who is yet with her parents. 

In political sentiment Mr. Arnold is a Democrat 
but not an active partisan. He would never accept 
anj' odice although tendered some positions of 
honor and trust, preferring to devoid.* his entire at- 
tention to the interests of his family and his busi- 
ness. He has been a successful stock-raiser and 
keeps on hand oidy the best grades. He wns 
perhaps the first to introduce Cotswold sheep nnil 
Galloway cattle into the county and was the first 
to make an exhibit of the same at the <-<)unty fair. 
For thirt3"-flvc yeare, Mr. Arnold li.os been a rrsi- 



590 



POKTUAIT AND BIOGRAPHKAI. ALB['M. 



<lent of Van Biiren County, (luriny which lime he 
hns iii'vcr so much ns testified in court, which fact 
shows thol he \in» lived n pt-nccnblc nnd upright 
life iis^will as a busy one. rhou;,'h his lareer has 
been pre-eminently pr<)S|)crou9, clouds of^adversity 
have sometimes shut out the sunshine of fortune. 
One instance of this occurred on the :i(lth of May. 
1879, when, between eleven and twelve o'clock at 
night, a terrific cyclone Jswept away three of his 
barns, a corn crib, wa-itoii shed, cattle sheds, one 
hundred and seventy-five apple trees and several 
miles of fence. It seemed tf) drop from the skies 
for his especial discomfiture as no one else was 
materially injured, whereas his loss was at least 
<i2.nnO. Kind neighbors and friends volunteered 
their assistance in rebuilding the fences to protect 
the crops from the slock, for which Mr. Arnold 
still holds them in <;raleful remembrance. Narious 
causes were suggested to explain why one person 
shoubl thus be singled out as a victim. Some 
thought it WHS because Mr. Arnold is a Tniversalist 
in religious faith ; others, scouting an idea so foolish, 
held it was a special visitation of Providence to 
punish him for being a Democrat. Disastrous as 
was the residt it has long since been repaired. 



^ AWlJK.Nt'K FMNSl'ACII, deceased, was 
I (ft)j born in Wurtemburg, (lermany, August 5. 
,i \ IM24. and died at his home in Huchnnan 
Township, .lefferson County, Iowa, on the 5th of 
September, 187'.». His life of fifty-five years, 
although quiet iind unostentatious, was a useful 
and honoiable one, such as to wiu the confidence 
nnd respect of those with whom became in contact, 
lie grew to manhood in his native land, laboring 
in his father's vineyard, and received a good edu- 
cation. About 184;i he determined to seek his 
fortune in the New World, and crossing the broad 
Atlantic, made a location in Cincinnati, Ohio, 
whence they made a trip to New (irlcuis, bulsick- 
nesj in that southern clime caused him to lelurn to 



the North. Having remained in America for 
some three years, he once more crossed the Atlantic 
to visit the scenes of lii8!boyhoo<l and bis kindred 
in his native land, but in 18.">o we again find him 
en route for America. This time he sought a home 
further westward, locating in Buchanan Township, 
•leflferson County, where he spent |the remainder of 
his life, devoting himself to the occupation of 
farming. 

On the lltli of April, 18;'C. Mr. Flinspach was 
united in marriage with Miss Caroline .'ichmezer, a 
native of Grosgartach, AVurtemburg, born May 
2G, 1834. Her people were in limited circum- 
stances, and she was therefore forced to earn the 
money to pay her passage to America, she making 
the trip in 1855. Both Mr. Flinspach and his 
wife were the only members of their respective 
families who sought homes on this side of the At- 
lantic. I'pon tlicir marriage they settled upon an 
eighty-acre farm and began life in earnest. |{v 
the untiring eflforts of the husband, supplemented 
by the counsel and assistance of his good wife, 
their financial resources were increased, and they 
extended the boundaries of their farm until it 
comprised one hundred and ninety acres. A fam- 
ily of fourteen children came to bless their union, 
as follows: Mary, now the wife of .lohn Kami, a 
resident of Buchanan Township; George, who died 
at the age of four years; Hannah, wife of Thomas 
Thompson, a resident farmer of Walnut Township, 
.lefferson County ; .Martin, who married Iowa Dall- 
ner, and is engaged in agricultural pursuits in 
Buchanan Township; Fred, who married .lane Gil- 
bert, and is similarly engaged; Anna, wifr- of .lohn 
Diers, a resident of Buchanan Townshiji; I.ucv, 
wife of Alex Gordon, who makes his home in the 
I same township; .Jacob, who died at the age of five 
I years; Albert, Minnie, Gustave, Kdward, Frank 
I and Robert, the younger members of the faniiiv. 
; are still at home. 

[ As before stated, the death of Mr. Flinspach oc- 
' curred on the 5th of Scpteml)cr, 187;», from can- 
[ cer. He was a very suceessfid f:irmer, and his life 
was characterized by industry, sobriety nnd hon- 
esty. In politics he w!is a Democrat, and religiously 
was a fnilhful member of the Lutheran Church. 
I The Flinspach family ranks among the old eslab- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



591 



lished families of the county and deserves hon- 
oi-.il)le mention in this volume. All of the children, 
from the eldest to the 3'oun<>;est, epeakboth English 
and German, and the sons who have attained to 
mat.ure years, have followed in the footsteps of 
their father and are stanch advocates of the Demo- 
cracy. The mother is also a member of the Luth- 
eran Church, and is a woman whose friends are 
almost equal in number to her acquaintances. 






j^R. W. FORDYCE is a prominent physician 
of Glasgow, Jefferson County, and as a repre- 
sentative citizen of the county deserves men- 
tion in this volume. He was born in Lee County, 
Iowa, in 1848, being the eldest son of Lewis and 
Mary (Newby) Fordyce. His father is a native 
of Illinois, born in Wabasli Count}', about the 
year 1820. In 1837. wlien a youth of seventeen 
\'ears, he accompanied his parents to Van Buren 
Countj', Iowa, but in Lee County married Miss 
Newby, a native of Indiana, and located in that 
neighborhood. Both parents are still living, their 
home being in Des Moines Township, Van Buren 
County. Mr. Fordyce has been influential ii; local 
))olitical circles, and has twice served as a Repre- 
sentative to the General Assembly, being elected 
to a seat in the Lower House from Van Buren 
County in 1852, and from Jefferson County in 
1884. At the former election he was a candidate 
of the Whig pai'.y, and is now a stanch Republican 
in politics. 

The Doctor, who is widel^y known throughout, 
the community, spent the rlays of his boyhood and 
j'outh in Van Buren County, where he acquired a 
common-school education and was reared to farm 
life. His tastes, however, lay in another direction, 
and, tiring of the dull routine of farm life, he de- 
termined to engage in the practice of a profession. 
Having at length determined upon a life work, at 
the age of twenty-one he began the studj' of medi- 
cine with Dr. J. M. Morris, of Birmingham, Van 
Buren County, and later attended lectures in the 



College of Physicians and Surgeons, of Keokuk. 
Having completed his course of study, he made a 
location in Glasgow, where he has built up an ex- 
tensive practice. However, he has never aban- 
doned his studies, and like every successful prac- 
titioner keeps himself well informed concerning the 
science, its discoveries and improved methods. 

A marriage ceiemony performed in 1876 united 
the destinies of Dr. Fordyce and Miss Miriam Fell, 
daughter of David Fell, of Round Prairie Town- 
ship, and their union has been blessed with three 
children — Mary, Elsie and Chester. In his social 
relations the Doctor is a Mason, holding member- 
ship with Glasgow Lodge, No. 60, A. F. & A. M., 
of which he is now .Secretary. He has also held 
nearly all the other otticcs in the lodge. In his 
political affiliations he is a Republican, and one of 
the acknowledged stalwart supporters of the part}' 
principles. His wife, who is a lady of many graces 
and excellencies of character, is a faithful member 
of the Methodist Churcli, and in support of that 
organization the Doctor is quite liberal, as he is for 
the advancement of every interest or enterprise 
which is calculated to benefit and upbuild the cora- 
raunity. His practice covers not onl}- Glasgow, 
but extends over a wide circuit throughout the 
surrounding country, which libe.-al patronage is 
justly deserved. 



OHN B.STEWART, a farmer and stock- 
raiser of Buchanan Townshii), Jefferson 
County, residing on section 14, was horn in 
Muskingum County, Ohio, August 21, 1845. 
The family is of Irish origin. The father of our 
subject, Jauies Stewart, was a native of the Green 
Isle of Erin, but when a lad of sixteen years he 
bade good-by to the home of his childhood, 
crossed the bropd Atlantic, and began life in the 
New World. He made a location in Ohio, where he 
married Miss Barton, who was also a native of Ire- 
land, horn Fcbruar}' 11, 1814, and when six years 
of age accompanied her parents to the Buckej-e 



592 



I'OlMHAIT AND UIOfiHAPUK'AL ALHIM. 



SUitf. Both families, unlike many of tlieir nation- 
ality, were I'rolestauts. Tlie father of our subject 
was a ealiiiiel-mnlier liy Inuli'. Iput durinj,' his rcsi- 
tlenee in Iowa devotc-il his time and attention to 
agricultural pursuits. About 1H45 he came to 
Jefferson County nnd entered one hundred and 
sixty acres of timber lanil in Cedar Township, 
after which he returned to Ohio for his family. 
Some two years later he made a location in this 
communit> and, after renting a year, bought two 
hundred and thirty-four acres of land, now the 
southern portion of the .Miinalroy farm. About 
IS-tlS he started to n mill which was situated on the 
opposite bank of Skunk River. On arriving at the 
stream he tied his team and look his grist across in 
a skiff. Kvcrything went well so far, but on 
his return to the wagon he found that one of the 
butt chains was gone, and returned to the other 
bank to get one. (Jnce more he starlet! home, but 
his famil)' never saw hina again. The skiff was 
afterward-* found below the dam with his whip in 
it, but Ills fate is unknown. He was a good oars- 
man, and as it is unlikcl}' that he could have met 
willi an acciilent. he prtibaldy suffered foul play. 
He was in the prime of life nl the time, and his loss 
to his family and tin- community was great. He 
was a Whig in politics and a memberof the liiion 
Ciiurch. His wife, who is still living, is a .Metho- 
dist. In their family were four chddren. but two 
of the number died in early childhood : ,)ohu H. 
anil Anna M. alone attained to mature years. The 
daughter is the wife of S. G. Gaumer, of Jefferson 
County. 

.lohn 15. Stewart spent his early life in the usual 
manner of farmer lads, and in his youthful days 
became acipiaintcd with the hardships and priva- 
tions of pioneei' life, such as fall to the lot of all 
frontier settlers, lie received the greater part of 
his cd'.icntion in the subscription schools common 
at that day. and became the mainstay of tiie family, 
especially after the mysterious disappearance of his 
father. Having lived in Cedar Township until 
l«(;i. he then removed with his mother to Buch- 
anan Township, where they yet reside. Their hoine 
is situated on section II. and the farm comprises 
two hundred and seventeen acres, (jf which one 
hunilretl and tifty-scven acres are arable land. 



.More than half of that amount iras still in its 
primitive condition at the time of Mr. .Stewart's 
settlement thereon, but he clearinl and broke the 
wild lan<l, planted crops, and now has one of the 
best farms in the community. Its well cultivated 
fields indicate his thrift and industry, and in con- 
nection with its cultivation he raises a high grade 
of all kinds of stock except sheep. Mr. Stewart 
casts his ballot with the Democratic i)arty, but 
lakes no active part in politics, preferring to de- 
vote his entire time and attention to his business 
interests. The family of which he is now the only 
male representative, well deserves mention in this 
volume. 



--^ 



-5 




NDRKW STONEBRAKKK, Treasurer of 
(C?/J Cantril. won the |)osition which he now 
holds as the result of his worthiness, abil- 
ity and the high regard In which he is 
held by his fellow townsmen. He is a retired 
fanner of Van Huren County, having since 18Si! 
made his home in Canlril, where he is the owmer 
of the tiiu'sl residence of the village. It is a tasty 
and commoilious two story dwelling, surrounded 
by towering maples, while the beautiful la»vn in the 
front is adorned with many plants whose lovely 
flowers and fragrance add not a little charm to 
the scene. A fine bearing orchard at the rear of 
his home is another of its pleasant additions. 
Here surrt)unded by all the conifor'.s which go to 
make the life worth the living, Mr. and Mrs. 
Stonebrakcr expect to sper.d their remaining days. 
The family of which our subject is a descendant 
is of German extraction and was established in 
America in the year 1700. The father of Andrew 
Stonebrakcr was born near llagerstown. iMd., in 
1765, where he was reared to manhood. In 17;i.s, 
he married Li/zie Aultfather and unto them were 
born three children, but the mother did not long 
survive the birth of the third child, .\fter the 
death of his tirst wife, Mr. .Stonebrakcr emigrated 
I to Ohio, where in ISl.j he was united in marriage 
1 with Barbara Barr, who was born in Pennsylvania 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



593 



in 1785, !ind was a daiigliterof Daniel Barr, also of 
the Keystone State. Tliat maniage was graced by 
nine children, liie fourth in order of birth being 
our subject. 

Andrew Stonebraker was born on the Stli of July, 
1821, in Belmont County, Ohio, where he was 
rea'ed to manhood, receiving such educational ad- 
vantages as the common schools afforded. He was 
reared to farm life and chose that occupation for 
his own, and ere his removal to the West he had 
become owner of one hundred acres of choice land 
in Athens County, Ohio, which yielded him a 
golden tribute for the care an<l labor wliicli he be- 
stowed upon it. In 1873, he left tiie Buckeye 
State, after disposing of his property, and came to 
Van Buren County, Iowa. Upon his arrival he 
purchased one hundred and twentj' acres of land 
and began the development of a fine farm. Many 
improvements he added wiiich greatly enhanced 
the value of the land and the well cultivated fields 
indicated the thrift and enterprise of the owner, 
but at length, having accumulated a compcjtency 
sutlicient for all his wants in coming j^ears he laid 
aside business cares and in 1883, as before stated, 
came to Cantril. 

In August, 1841, Mr. Stonebraker was joined in 
wedlock with Susanna Keefer, the marriage being 
solemnized in Ohio. The lad}' is a native of Bel- 
mont County, that State, born in April, 1827. and a 
daughter of William and Jane Keefer. Her pater- 
nal grandparents, Casper and Mar\' Keefer, were of 
German descent. Nine children have been born 
of this union, seven of whom are yet living, 
namely : James A., Silas A., Charles V., Sherman 
T., Narcissa J., deceased wife of Louis Zimmer- 
man; Mary E., wife of Henry Moore; Alice A., wife 
of Wesley Welch; Viola M., wife of Martin Saar; 
and William Henry, the eldest of the family, who 
was killed at the battle of Corinth, Miss., during 
the war. 

The father also donned the blue and marched 
southward in defense of the old flag. He served 
as a member of Company K, of the Sixt}'- Third 
Regiment of Ohio Volunteers, under Capt. Mc- 
Ginnis and Col. Sprague. He enlisted November, 
18G1, but was not actively engaged, for owing to 
illness he was placed on the sick list and at length 



was discharged in September, 1862, on account of 
physical disability. His duties as a citizen have 
ever been performed with the same loyalty and 
faithfulness as characterized his war record. He 
is a man of progressive ideas and enterprising spirit 
who gives supi)ort and encouragement to all 
worthy interests, while to the poor and needy he is 
a benefactor. In politics Mr. Stonebraker is a 
Republican ; for three years he seivert as School 
Director, for a similar ])eriod w.as a member of the 
City Council of Cantril, and in March, 1889, he 
was elected to his present office, that of Treasurer. 
He and his wife are faithful members of the 
Christian Church of which he is an Elder, and by 
all who know them are held in the highest re- 
gard. 




ooo 



\OLONY VOLK SMITH was born in New 
York, and removed with his parents to Keo- 
sauqua, Iowa, in 1846. Here he attended 
school until his father went to the Pacific Coast, 
settling in Linn Countj', Ore., in 1852, Volony 
going with him. He continued his studies in the 
schools of Oregon until the spring of 1861, when 
lie was appointed to a scholarship at West Point, 
for which place be leftOrcgo'.i b}' steamer, arriving 
in New York City onlj' to find that he had been 
superseded by another appointment, caused by a 
change in the administration; and the death of his 
father in 1860, leaving him without an adviser, he 
was thrown upon his own resources. Being now 
about twenty-one years of age, he decided to enter 
the United States service as a volunteer in the War 
of the Rebellion. He enlisted in a New York regi- 
ment, and serred until the close of the war, when he 
was appointed to a position in the Freedman's Bu- 
reau, in the State of Arkansas. He filled this itosilion 
for some time, was also elected County Clerk of 
his county in Arkansas, for two or three terms, and 
was elected Lieutenant-Governor of the State, on 
the ticket with Clayton as (lovernor, at the time 
of the adoi)tion of the new Constitution of Arkan- 
sas. Clayton was elected United Stales Senator, 



594 



POlMltAll AM) liKXilJAl'IIK Al, AI.I'.I M. 



lint >Ir. Sniilli fniled to succeed liim as (ioveriior, 
owintr to some lechnicnlity in ibcCfiiistilutioii in rc- 
f;8ril to gucci'ssion in otiice. Considerable irouliie 
nrose over the mutter, and Volonj nns comiiclied 
to leave the Stale for i^nh-ly. He was a|)|>oinled 
l)V (leneral (irant as (oiisul to the Isle of St. 
Thomas, which position he tilled for three or four 
years, after which he returned to Arkansas, and 
had sinci- resiiled there. Oiling many important 
olllees both in the county and Stale. He was mar- 
ried in the Slate of New York .ibout 18G6 or '67. 
In politics he was in early life a Democrat, but in 
after years he told the writer that he was a He- 
publican by force of circumst^mces. lie was a very 
good speaker, and was admitted to the bar as a 
hiwyrr while clerk of Ihe courlj* in Arkansas. 



m:^^\ <^ , I ^ 




|i UAKL II. TOBIAS is a prominent far- 
mer residing on section 32. Lick Creek 
Township. Van Hurcn County. He is now 
practically living a retired life, having as 
the result of his labors in former years acquired a 
handsome competency which now enables him to 
rest from all business cares. As his friends and ac- 
quaintances are many and as he is widely and faT- 
orably known throughout Southeastern Iowa, we 
arc I'leaseil to record his sketch in this volume. 

The history of his life is as follows: He was born 
in Herks County, I'a.. on the 15th of December. 
1»07, and is the only surviving one in a family of 
fleven children, whose parents were Christian and 
Molly (Huchor) Tobias. His father was a native of 
Pennsylvania, in which Slate he was reared to man- 
hood, learning the carpenters' and coopers' trades 
in his youth. About 1800 ho wedded .Miss Huclicr 
and aftera twenty-eight years'residence in the Key- 
stone Slate, they emigrated westward, locatiiic on 
a farm near Dayton. Ohio, which continued to be 
their home until death. The wife :ind mother died 
in 1824, and twenty days later the husband was 
laid to rest by her side in the cemetery near that 
l>lace. They. were active members of the Lutheran 



Church, and he was a sup|)orter of Democratic 
principles. 

The year in which our subject reached man's es- 
tate also witnessed the emigration of his father's 
family to Ohio. In Mr. Tobias' shop he learned 
the cooper's trade and for four years followed that 
pursuit, after which he was employed as a farm 
hand. Subsequently he rented a cooper's shop and 
engaged in business for himself in that line for two 
years, when he turned his attention to fanning, 
renting a quarter section of land. As a helpmate 
on life's journey he chose Miss Sarah Good, their 
wedding being celebraU'(l November 12, 1K35. She 
was a native of Germantown, Ohio, born Novem- 

i ber G, 1817, and was left an orphan at the age of 
eleven years. Her |)arents <lied and were buried in 

' the same grave. 

Mr. and Mrs. Tobias began their domestic life 
upon a rented farm, which he continued to operate 
some years when he purchased eighty acres. Pros- 
pects were brightening and he fell that in a short 
time he would be in comfortable circumstances 
lint about this lime he was taken ill, his sickness 
exiiausted his supply of money and he w.ns left in 

I debt. His life in Ohio was checkered by seasons of 
prosperit}' and adversity and at length he deter- 
mined to seek his fortune elsewhere. With teams he 

I crossed the country to Iowa in 1851, bringing with 
him about six horses and some $4,000 in money. 
One of the old wagons in which the journej" was 
made is still in his possession, a memento of that 
early day. He maile a judicious investment of his 
capital, purchasing three hundred and twenty acres 
of lantl at !!< 12.50 per acre, which farm for twenty- 
one years he made his home. He cleared the 
greater part of the land, built a fine brick residence 
thereon, the finest in the township, and erected 
splendid barns, selling at last for *10,000. In 
l'<72 he purchased his present home, comprising 
two hundred and fourteen acres of the best farm- 
ing land in the county. His residence is a line 
frame structure tastefully furnisheil, where ho and 
his family are surrounded by all the comforts and 
many of the luxuries of life. There are also many 
other excellent improvements, including laige 
barns, a blacksmith shop and other necessary build- 
ings. He was also the inventor of many ingenious 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



595 



devices which add to the convenience of llie iiome 
and nothing necessary to a model farm of the nine- 
teenth centuiy is tliere lacliing-. lie has an ai)iary 
and orchards, and small fruits of all kinds in their 
season find a place upon bis well-spread table. All 
this stands as a raomiment to the thrift, enterprise 
and business sagacity of the owner. Mr. Tobias is 
now living a retired life, as his property and bank 
account is sufficient to supply all his wants through 
the remainder of his life. Besides his farm of 
three hundred and sixtj'-nine acres he owns an ho- 
tel and two lots in Doud's Station. 

Tnto Mr. and Mrs. Tobias vvere born two chU- 
dren. Elizabeth, the eldest, born in 1837, married 
Alonzo Doud, by whom she had one child, and for 
her second husliand wedded Isaac Pence. She was 
a lady of culture and reflnement, well' educated, 
and her death, which occurred in 1872, was 
mourned by mauj- friends. AVilliam V., the son. 
was born in 1847. reared to manhood on his father's 
farm and received good educational advantages, 
his earl}' scholastic training being supplemented by 
a two years' course in Birmingham College. When 
twenty -one years of age he married Bliss Alice 
Short and brought his bride to the old home, that 
he might operate the farm for his father. He also 
ran a sawmill and in addition to those two branches 
of industry is a good bricklayer and blacksmith. 
He is now a manager of the machine works of La- 
mar, Mo., where he has made his home for the last 
two years. He possesses business abilil}' of a high 
order and the success which has thus far attended 
him will no doubt make him a wealthy man. By his 
union with Miss Short five children have been born 
— four sons and a daughter. The removal of Will- 
iam Tobias to Missouri proved a loss to this count}% 
for he was ranked among the leading citizens and 
was a favorite with all who knew him. 

Michael Tobias, whose name heads this sketch, 
cast his first Presidential vote for Gen. Jackson, 
and has since been a supporter of Democratic prin- 
ciples. He believes that his wealth has been given 
him, not to store away in miserly fashion but for 
his profit and enjoyment, and to this end he has 
spent considerable time in traveling. Accompan- 
ied by his wife he visited the Centennial at Phila- 
delphia in 1876, was present at the New Orleans 



Exposition, and during the St. Louis Exposition of 
1885 had the pleasure of seeing President Cleve- 
land and his wife and shaking hands with Vice 
President Hendricks. He h.as also visited Canada 
and many other points of interest in this country. 







THOMAS ANSON, who resides on section 20, 
Henry Township, dales his residence in Van 
^ Buren County from 183,0, therefore for 
fifty-five consecutive years his history has been 
connected with that of the community. Most of 
his friends and neighbors of that early day have 
passed away, he being one of the few left to tell the 
storv of life in Iowa when the State was situated on 
the extreme western frontier. The story of those 
pioneer days was one of great interest and we re- 
gret that we cannot enter more elaborately into 
details, but as we proceed to give a history of his 
life we will doubtless mention facts which are new 
to our younger readers. 

Thomas Anson was born in Pike County, Mo., 
.luly 24, 1826. Little is known concerning the 
early history of the family exce|)t that it was est.<<b- 
lished in America during Colonial days. His fa- 
ther, Henry Anson, was born in Maryland, there 
spent the days of his boyhood and youth and on 
attaining to years of maturity wedded Elizabeth 
Paralee, also a native of that State. About 1820, 
they removed with their family to Kentucky but 
four years later resumed their westward journey 
and made a location in Pike County, Mo., where 
Mr. Anson opened up a farm, clearing and devel- 
oping the wild land. Again in 1835 a change of 
residence occurred. The preceding year he came 
to Van Buren County, Iowa, and laid a claim, after 
which he brought his family to their new homo and 
from that time until his death he was numbered 
among the leading citizens of the county. He took 
an active part in political affairs and was interested 
in all that pertained to the welfare and upbuilding 
of the community. On the loth of April, 1850, at 
the ripe old age of seventy-seven years, he was 



596 



PORTUAir AND 15IO(; HAl'II ICAL ALIUM. 



callwl to his flnnl rist. Ui* wife prccerled liim U> 
their fingl home, dying in l«l»;. They lind n l.irgc 
family niinilKTlng twflTe chililrt-n Ijiilonly fuurare 
now living. IVlor diod in La Fiiyetlo C'ounly, 
Mo., leiiviiig a family; Keziah dii-d in Califoiiiiii in 
l««T; (.'atlieiinu. wife of Isaac Rig-l>y. died at her 
home in Henry Townslii|). in .hine, l»87; Henry 
died in Lick Creek Townsliip. in 1HH2; Ceorgc 
inakesi his home in California; Kliza re.siiUs .villi 
her hrotlier Thomas; Flarioiis died in California in 
IMH'J; Christiana died in Van Huron County, in 
lSM:t; 'I'homas is the next in order of liirlli; and 
William Is married and living in llonry Township. 
Mr. An.son, whose nhme heads this sketch, was a 
l-id of nine summers when he aeconiimnitd his par- 
ents to \'an Hureii County. Iowa then formeil a 
part of the Territory of Wisconsin. He has there- 
fore resided in llie Territory of Wisconsin and the 
'Territory and .Stale of Iowa, yet all llie lime his 
home hna been within the borders of Van IJuren 
County. The companions of his childhood he 
found among the Indian boys and being thus 
thrown frequently into their company he learned 
their language. On many of their hunting expedi 
tions he accompanied them, for friendly were the 
relations between the white and red races at that 
day. In the subscription schoids he acquiiX'd his 
education and necessarily his advantages were quite 
limited, but in a gieal incisure experience «nd ob- 
servation have overcome the dilllcullies arising 
therefrom and he is now well Informed on all mat- 
ters of general inlerest. He assisted his father in 
ihc arduous task of developing a farm, following 
the oxen day after day in breaking prairie. AViien 
only seventeen years of age he began life for him- 
self. In company with his brother William, he 
purchased ftnir hundred and thirty acres of par 
tially improved land which they placed under culti- 
vation and thereby neaped a golden reward for 
their efl'orts. Although he h.is mot with some 
obstacles and difficulties he has generally traveled 
the road of success and is now the owner of eight 
hundred and seventeen acres of land indiviiluailv, 
and half owner in a one hundred and eighty-four 
and ft half acre tract. 'The former amount is under 
•\ good stale of cultivation or in pasturage. With- 
out interruption save about three years spent on 



the Pacific Slope, Mr. Anson has resided in \an 
IJuren County, since 183ii. ll was during the gold 
excitement in California thai in I8.")0 he crossed 
the plains with an ox-tea'n to that Stale, reaching 
his destination after three months of travel. He 
gave his attention to mining for some three years 
aixl in the spring of 18.j:5 returned by way of the 
Isthmus of I'anama and New York City. Once 
more resuming the occupation t^f farming he has 
since devoted himself exclusively to that pursuit 
and to stock-raising. A truly self-made man, he 
deserves no little credit for his success. On reach- 
iiig California he had but thirty-tivc cents in his 
pocket but on his return his exchequer was in 
somewhat belter condition. In the years which 
have followed be has gained a handsome properly, 
yet has been liberal with his means for the ad- 
vancement of all cnterpiises calculated to benefit 
the town or county. For a quarter of a century 
he has served on the School Hoard and to him in 
no small degree is due the excellence of the school 
system in this communil}'. In political sentiment, 
he is a Republican and a stalwart supporter of the 
|>arly principles. 



-JS^^^ 



1;=^ ON. OKORGK W. HALL, who resides on a 
pleasant farm situated on section 19, Fair- 
tield 'Township, adjacent to the city limits 
\\^, of Fairfield, is the i)resent representative 
from his district in the State Legislature and is 
numbered among the early settlers of the com- 
munity dating his residence in .leffersoii Count}' 
from 1851, when a lad of six summers, he accom- 
panied his parents to F'airfield. He was born on 
the (jth of March. 1818. in Hancock County, W. 
\'a., and is a son of Joseph and JIargaret (Longfitt) 
Hall. He received his education in what was 
known as the Fairfield LTiiiversity and was reared 
to farm life, becoming familiar with the ways and 
laelhods of operating a farm by assisting his father 
ii> the management of the homestead. 

On the 31si of October, IH72, .Mr. I'.all was 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



597 



united in marriage with Miss Maggie Laugblin, 
dnugliter of Harvey and Mary Laughlin, who were 
early settlers in Jefferson Count}'. Their lioine was 
originally in Tennessee, wiienrjc they removed to 
Illinois, aid in 1840 they settled in this community, 
where the death of the fatlier occurred in 1887. 
His wife still survives him. Mrs. Ball was born in 
Locust Grove Township, and by her marriage be- 
came the mother of five children yet living, four 
sons and a daughter — Charles F., the eldest, w.as 
born Mny 20, 1874; Joseph L., July 6, 1878; 
Harry I., November .5, 1880; Nellie B.. M.ay 17, 
1884; and William N., September 25. 188C. They 
also lost one child, the second, llarr}' L., who was 
born May 31, 187G, and died February 15, 188.3. 
Mr. and Mrs. Ball are memliers of the Christian 
Cliurch, and in politics he is a Republican. In the 
fall of 1877 he was elected by his party to represent 
his district in the .State Legislature, and in the 
autumn of 1889 he was re-elected to the same po- 
sition — a fact which indicates his fidelity and 
ability during his first term. His course during the 
present term has also elicited the praise of his con- 
stituents, and he has proved a useful member of the 
Iowa Legislature. His business is that of farming 
and stock-raising, and he owns four hundred acres 
of valuable land in Fairfield Township. He raises 
only the best grades of stock, and has been quite 
successful in this branch of business. His public 
and ))rivate life are alike above reproach. He is 
an unassuming man of quiet dignity whose upright 
course has won him the confidence and esteem of 
all who know him. 



^ 4tk^^^- 




AMIEL A. CUMMINGS, who is engaged 
in farming en section 33, Buchanan Town- 
ship, has been a lesident of Jefferson 
County for forty -seven years, during which 
time he has identified himself with its best interests 
and aided not a little in its advancement and 
progress, especially in transforming the wild land 
into tracts of rich fertility. He was born in Rock- 



bridge County, Va.. December 16, 1830, his parents 
being William .•md Sarah (Cunningham) Cum- 
mings, who lived many years in the Old Dominion 
where the husband and father followed the carpen- 
ter's trade. About 1833, he started for the West, 
making a location in Parke County, Ind., where he 
engaged in farming some ten years and in 1843 
loading his household effects into a wagon drawn 
b_V two yoke of oxen he left for the lanil l)e3'ond the 
Mississipi)i. After some twent3'-three days of travel 
he .arrived in Jefferson County in October, 1843. 
The family spent the winter in a little cabin and the 
following spring commenced preparations for mak- 
ing a home. Mr. Cummings planted a crop two 
miles north of Fairfield but had done little else 
toward develo])ing a farm when he was called to his 
final rest, d^ing on the 4th of .September, 1844, at 
the age of fifty-eight years. In the spring of 184(), 
his widow and children purchased a claim of one 
hundred and fifteen acres on section 33, Buchanan 
Township. Mrs. Cummings ever remained true to 
his memory and died on the 5th of September, 
1884, having lived a widow for forty years. They 
were parents of eight children, four sons and four 
daughters, and with tiie exception of the eldest 
none have been taken away and the youngest is 
now fift3'-eight years of age. The parents were 
members of the Presbyterian Church and their 
deaths proved a loss to the entire comraunit}-. 

The early life of our subject p.assed uneventfully. 
He attended the subscription schools for a short 
time but during his youth remained mostly at.home 
caring for his mother and his sister's children, so 
that he h.ad the care of a family long before he had 
one of his own. When the war broke out he felt the 
greatest desire to enter the service but he could not 
be spared as the members of the family needed his 
services. On the 8th of September, 1864, he led 
to the marriage altar RHss Maria J. Case, tlie wed- 
ding being celebrated in Fairfielil. The lady was 
born in Ohio, January 7, 1838, and during her 
girlhood accompanied her parents to Jefferson 
County. Four cliildren were born of their union 
— William F., Fannie M., George H. and Charles 
C. The mother of this family died on the 1st of 
July, 1879, within ten minutes after being taken 
with congestion of the lungs. She was a most 




.'•98 



PORTRAIT AND HIOORAIMIICAL ALBUM. 



estimable lady, a meral)frof the Metlioilist Cburch 
and lind tlic love and respect of the entire 
comniunitv. Mr. Cummin;;-', for some thirty 
years has Iwen coniicfleil with the I'resbytcriaii 
C'lmrth in Fairtielil and in all possible ways has 
aided in its adviinc-i-niciit. He cast his first Pres- 
idential vot* for the Whij; candid.ite in \X.'>'2, and 
since the orjianization of the Republican party has 
been one of its supporters. On llio 1st day of .Inti- 
iiarv. 18110. he entered upon the duties of tlic otlice 
of Township Trustee and is proving an etJkient 
an<l capable otHcer. As a fanner he is practical. 
vet enterprisinfi and prof;ressive and his home 
farm, comprisinji one hundred and fifteen acres, is 
well provided witli ^no<l buildings and all neces- 
sary improvements. He also owns a controlling 
interest in a one hundred and sixty acre farm in 
Dalliis County. Mo. lie ha.i now nia<le liis home 
in .Icflferson County for the long |)erio(l of forty- 
.seven vears and i.s accounted one of its most 
H<.rtliy aii'l upright citizens. 



OllN 1). Kl.lti:!! T. who was one of llu' hon- 
ored and prominent citizens of \'an Huren 
County, was born on the IClh of Ma}', Ib06, 
in Fleming County, Ky.. but when a lad of six 
sumnu>rs removed with his parents to Uhio in 1812. 
'I'he family first located in Urbana, Champaign 
County, but afU'rward removed to Logan Count}', 
wheie. having attained to mature years, Mr. Klliert 
was united in marriage May 21, 182',t, with Miss 
Aclisa Hilt, daughter of Rev. .Samuel and Nancy 
Mitt, of I'rbana. Having fitted himself for the 
meilical profession, in the same year he was licensetl 
to practice by Dr. Drake, of the Cincinnati Medical 
College. He receiveil diplomas from the Missouri 
.Medical College at St. Louis and the I'niversity of 
Pennsylvania. He was a skilled physician who 
stood at the head of his pr(»fession in S(>ulhea!«tern 
Iowa. The autumn of 18|( I witnessed his arrival 
in this Static. lie purchased a farm of one thousand 



two hundred acres on Indian Prairie. Van Buren 
Count}', where he lived until his death. A man of 
superior ability, heat once took promineiu-e among 
his fellow citizens, and in 1842 was electee! a mem- 
ber of the Territorial Legislature, and was chosen 
President of the Council. His life was a useful one. 
devoted l'> the interests of humanity, and by all 
who knew him he was held in the highest regard. 
He died of erysipelas at the home of Hon. Kdward 
Manning, in Keosauqua, Marcli 20. 18G5. at the age 
of fift3'-eight years, ten months and four days, and 
his remains were interred in the Keosauqua ceme- 
tery. His widow still survives him and makes her 
home with .hidge and Mrs. Townsend, of Albia. 
Iowa. .She was born October IG, 1 8(),s. near Xenia. 
Uhio. and has entered upon her eighth-third year. 
.She has four children, eleven grandchildren and 
four great-grand children. 

A family of ten children was bcrn unto Dr. and 
Mrs. KIbert. of whom four are yet living — Annie 
C, who was l)orn February '.>. 18.S0. in Logan 
County, Ohio, graduated from the Wesleyan Col- 
lege, of Cincinnati, in 1862, and is now the wife of 
Judge .1. S. Townsend, of Albia. Iowa; Rebecca 
H.. born M.ay 21. 1831, in Logan County, Ohio, 
is the wife of R. M. Clarke, Beatrice, Neb.; 
Samuel II., born in Logan County, April 3, 1833, 
lives in Denver, Col.; John K. died in infancy; 
Leroy S., born in Logan Count}', December 4, 
1837, died in 1803, and was buried in the 
Keosauqua cemetery; Achsa Iv, born in Iowa, 
died in infancy; Ben. F., born in \'an Huren 
County. May 8, 1844, was a student in the College 
of Kvanston during the late war, and wishing to 
enter the service, and being not yet of age. he ran 
away, enlisted and served several months in Ken- 
tucky. He has been a successful banker and stock- 
raiser, and is now living in Des Moines; Danii;! 
Clarke, born .lanuary 22, IsfT. in Van Buren 
County, died May 2G, 18G8, while a member of the 
junior class of the Northwestern I'niversity, of 
Kvanston, III.; (ieorge F., born October 20, 1849, 
was n student in Douglas I'liiversity. of Chicago, 
after which he spent a year in Europe, but his 
health failing him, he returned to this country and 
located in Denver, Col., where he died Novi'inber 
1 7, 1 87 1 ; Charles Wilber, who completes the family. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



5'j9 



was born August 14, 1852, in Van Buren County, 
acquired his education in the Ohio Weslcyan Uni- 
versity and died May 27, 1870. Leroy, Daniel and 
Wilber are buried beside their father in the Keo- 
sauqua cemetery. 



<;i^D. H. ROCKWELL, one of the editors and 
\]rM\ proprietors of tlie Farmington Herald, was 
/I ' — ^-> i born in Huntington C<junty, Ind., February 
6, 1856, being the second of three children, whose 
jjarents were Dr. William and Hester (Bunnell) 
Rockwell. The Doctor was a native of Hartford, 
Conn., and a son of Horace Rockwell, so favorably 
known as a painter of portraits and landscapes, 
who.5e productions have found their way into the 
best art galleries, both at home and abroad. The 
artist lived to a ripe old age and died -in Hunting- 
ton County, Ind., whither he had emigrated witli 
his family some time before. The Doctor followed 
his profession in the Hoosier State until the break- 
ing out of the war, when he enlisted and was made 
Assistant Surgeon of the Eleventh Indiana Infantry 
under command of Gen. Lew AVallace. After serv- 
ing some thiee years he returned and resumed the 
practice of medicine. At Ft. Wayne, Ind., he mar- 
ried Miss Bunnell, a native of Syracuse, N. Y., and 
a sister of Mrs. Lizzie B. Reed, who for six years 
was President of the Iowa Woman's State Suffrage 
Society, and who is widely known as a public lec- 
turer. In 1867 Dr. Rockwell removed to Harrison 
County, Iowa, where he continued practice; he had, 
however, gone there two years before. Subse- 
quently he journeyed westward to Richardson 
County, Neb. For a second wife he chose Mary E. 
Chase, with whom he removed to Decatur County, 
Kan , where he spent his last days. He was a stanch 
Republican Init both of his sons are supporters of 
Democracy. The family, as above stated, numbers 
three children: Mrs. Ilattie E. Tomlinson; Ed IL, 
of this sketch, and F. W., who is represented else- 
where in this work. 

The subject of this biographical notice, after 



pursuing a cour.se in the;Little Sioux pultlic schools 
began life on his own account. After farming for 
a couple, of years he went to Des Moines, Iowa, 
where he was employed as salesman by the firm of 
Randall & Dickey, dealers in implements, after 
which he entered the freight^ department of the 
Rock Island Railroad Company. We next find him 
running a hotel in Voltaire, Sherman County, Kun., 
and in 1887 he came to Farmington and joined his 
brother in business, tlie publiciition of the Farm- 
ington Herald. 

At Fall City, Neb., on the loth of April, 1879, 
Mr. Rockwell was joined in wedlock with Miss 
Maggie E. Peters, daughter of Fulton;Petcrs. a na- 
tive of Germany. Her mother, iMiphrasia Baiada 
Peters, was born in Genevieve, Mo., and her mother 
was a French lady. ^Her father wa.sjione other than 
the celebrated Antonoine Bar.ada, who lifted with 
his hands the" stone that serves, as a step to the 
United States Arsenal at St. Louis. The weight of 
the stone sixteen hundred pounds, the date of the 
feat and his name aie thereon engraved. That is 
the heaviest bare handed lift on record. To Mr. 
and Mrs. Rockwell were born two children — Rena 
E. and AValter F. 



'• ' ^- 



i^ 



R. ELDRIDGE SHARP EDWARD.S, of 

Milton, was l)orn near Bloomfield. Sullivan 
County, Tenn., April 16, 1839, and is a son 
of O. M. and Amanda Thiiresa (Longaere) Ed- 
wards, who were also born in the same locality. 
His father, born in 1806, was of English and Welsh 
descent and belonged to an old A'irginian family 
wiiich was founded in America during Colonial 
days. His mother, whose maiden name was Sharp, 
was born in 1807, and was of English Ihieage. Her 
death occurred in Tennessee in 1843, and some 
eleven years later Mr. Edwards came to Iowa, lo- 
cating near Drakeville, Davis County, where lie 
engaged in farming until his death in 1872. 

The subject of this sketch remained in Davis 
(bounty until 1802. He acquired his literary edu- 



oiin 



I'lilM i; Ai I \M> r.Ii>i;i; M'lIK \I, \I r.iM 



cation ill the comnion scliuul? mihI :il ihi- .liji- I'l 
niiictofii hejjaii llie sHi<ly of nu'ilitiiie. IIi- Ix-^'nii 
pruftii-e some four yeiirs lulor ami from Wiipoilu 
County, wlierc lie first lociiled, reniovcil lo Milton. 
In 1»71 lie retiirneil to Knikeville, wiure lie con- 
tinued prnclice until 1XX7. wliicli year witnessed 
his nrrivjil nt this pUfc. He :illenile<l lectures in the 
Keokuk Meilicnl <.'ollej;e in the winter of 1XH4-K."). 
Iml (lifl no» graihiate. 

On the C.th of Aufju-t. IHT4. in Dnikevillc. Dr. 
Ivlwanls wn.« unitcfl in inarria'^c with Miss Mattie 
Hrown. a iiatiTc of Hendricks County. Inil. Into 
tliein have heen horn six children, three sons and 
three ilau;,'hters, hut two are now deceasetl — Clyde, 
who died at the age of one year; and Charles, who 
ilied when ei^lit years of age. The living arc 
Prince. Mary .lessie, Fannie anil Nellie, 'riie Doc- 
tor and his wife are ineiiihers of the Methodist 
Kpiscopal Church and are widely and favorahly 
known in the coinniuiiity. In politics he is a sup- 
l>orler of Democratic principles and socially is an 
Odd I-'ellow Hiid Mason. He has a good practice 
and is one of the representative citizens of the 
c> nun unity. 



PdMKU .\NDKRSON. living on section 12 
l,ii k Creek Township, N'aii IJuren County, 
is a pioneer of llSt;'>. He was born iu 

"^.•inerset Coiiniy. I'a., October 15, 1825, his par- 
ents being Stoddard M. and Ellen (.loliiison) An- 
<lers(Mi. His father was a native of Ireland, who 
during the years of his young iiiaiihood crossed 
the .Vtlantic to America, and in I'ciinsylvaiiia mar- 
ried Miss .lubnson. who was descended from good 
old Kevoliitionary slock. He wsis a mechanic by 
trade, and an expert workman. For many years 
he did business in I'eiiiisylvania, and in 1831 re- 
moved to Holmes (oiiniy. ( ilijo, where his death 
oecnrreil in l«(i2. His wife survived liini some 
years, and dieil near Hirminghani. Iowa. There 
were nine children in their family, as follows: 
.lane, now deceased; James, also deceased; .Mar- 



g:U( I, .Nancy, .loliii. 1' r.iini>, AlnL;:iil, l-,li/.abi'lli and 
Fostt r. .lohn, Klizabeth and Foster, are residents 
of this communitj-. Mr. Anderson was a member 
of the Methodist Church, .also belonged to the 
MflSonic fraternity, and was a suppoiter of the 
Whig party until the rise of the Republican party, 
when he identified himself with that organization. 
The tirst six years of his life our subject spent 
in Pennsylvania, and from that time until seven- 
teen years of age he lived upon his father's farm 
in Ohio, during which time he attcmled the com- 
mon schools for about three months in the year, 
which constituted his entire educational privileges. 
He then served an apprenticeship of two years to 
the carpenter's trade, and in IMI.j. at the age of 
twenty, he maile his way westward to \'an IJiiren 
County, in the Territory of Iowa. He chose Bir- 
mingham as the scene of his future labors, and 
then announced that he was ready to receive any 
patioiiage which the public was willing to accorci 
him. Being an expert workman, his services were 
soon in great demand as emigrants began to pour 
in quite rapidly, and homes must be built for their 
accommodation. For a quarter of a century he 
followed carpentering with good success, and se- 
cured a competency which now enables him lo live a 
retired life, 

Mr. Anderson has ever been a leading citizen of 
the Community, and one who has never shirked his 
duty, but with commendable interest has done all 
in his power for the advancement of \'an I5iireii 
County's best interests. He has taken an active part 
in political affairs, and his opinions carry weight 
will! them in the local conventions of his i)arly. 
He cast his first Presidential vote for Franklin 
Pierce, but in 1856 he supported the first Repuidi- 
can candidate, and has been a zealous partisan of 
Republican princi|)les since. 

In 1849 Mr. Anderson was united in marriage 
with Miss Mary Ann Harilesly, and unio them were 
born nine children, iis follows: W. W .. a resident 
of Kansas; Flora K.. wife of \V. V. Hackney, of 
Kansas; Oscar and Annetta, who are living in the 
same State; .lames W, and Katie; Henrietta, wife 
of .1. 1). Alliert, of Birmingham; .lennie, wife of 
(ieorgeO. Walker, and Belle, who is living in 
Boise Citv. IcbiJH), Till' iiMiilii T of this famih clied 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



601 




in 1873, and Air. Anderson wedderl Helena Ketch- 
em. Their union has been graced by one child, 
Harry F., now a lad of ten years. Mr. Anderson 
and ills family have a pleasant home conveniently 
situated about one mile from Birminaham. 



**«;?>« ^fi»-^^*<gl^^<^^?«f-««5*^• 



ORTIMER D. BAXTER, photographer, 
proprietor of the only gallery in Milton, 
established business here in 1876, and has 
carried it on continuousl}' since, covering 
a period of fourteen consecutive years. Mr. Bax- 
ter was born in Union County, Ohio, Januar}- 4, 
1844, and is the son of Benjamin D. and Lucinda 
(Harrington) Baxter. His father was born in the 
State of New York in 1811. was of English descent, 
and died in August, 1844, when our subject was a 
babe of a few months. The mother was a native 
of Vermont, born in 1819. Some years after the 
death of Mr. Baxter, she married Daniel Kent, and 
in 1851, with her family emigrated to Iowa, and 
settled in Van Buren County-. 

Mortimer D., who came to Iowa with his mother, 
attended school at Keosauqua, and in 1864 began 
studying photography in that place. On account 
of sore eyes he spent a year on the farm, and then 
traveled with a car photograpliing. About 1868 
he established a gallery in Jlillon. From 1871 
until 1878 lie devoted himself to the grocery trade; 
since 1878 has devoted his attention exclusively 
to photography. Mr. Baxter is a Republican in 
politics, and in 1872 was appointed Postmaster at 
Milton, under the administration of Presiilent 
Grant, serving until 1877. In 1886 he was elected 
Alayor of Jlilton, and served one term in that 
office. 

Mr. Baxter has been twice married. His first 
wife was Miss Miranda Cooley, and their union was 
celebrated in Milton in 1868. The lady was a 
daughter of Fountain Cooley, and was born in 
Davis County, Iowa. Her death occurred on the 
27th of December. 1877. and Mr. Baxter was again 
married on the 17th of February, 1880, his second 



marriage taking place in Bloomfield, Davis County, 
where he led to the iiymencal altar Miss Emma 
Rosebrough, daughter of James H. Rosebrough. 
She is a native of Davis County, where her 
people were early settlers. P'our children have 
been born unto Mr. and IMrs. Baxter, three 
sons and a daughter — Eugene Mortimer, Novem- 
ber 21, 1881 ; Iowa M., October 3, 1883; Ncal Dow, 
July 18, 1885; and Rex R., November 21, 1887. 
All were born in Milton. 

Mr. and Mrs. Baxter are members of the Metho- 
dist Protestant Church, in which he has been Class 
Leader and Steward for many years. He is also an 
active worker in the cause of tt-mperance, and is 
considered a leader in all advanced ideas in moral 
culture. He is a member of Jackson Lodge, No. 
28, K. P., having been actively identified with that 
order since 1881. In his business life he has pros- 
pered and his gallery has won popularity. As an 
official he won commendation and the respect of 
all concerned. With the exception of a very brief 
interval Mr. Baxter has now been a resident of 
Milton for a quarter of a centurj-, and is widel}' 
and favorablj' known to the citizens of Van Buren 
and adjoining counties. 



«-^T».-J»!^J^^<5<^*«i«^* 



OSEPH RICKSHER, wholesale dealer in 
butter and eggs, of Fairfield, Iowa, estali 
lished business in that cit\' in 1871, and his 
house has now gained a wide reputation, 
being one of the leading enterprises of Jefferson 
Count}'. The proprietor is a native of Prussia, his 
birth having occurred near Padcrborn, February 
1 7, 1843, and a son of John and Catherine (Moener) 
Ricksber. His mother died when he w.as but a 
child, and in 1854, in company with his father he 
crossed the broad Atlantic to America. On landing 
on the shores of the New World they came directly 
to Iowa, settling in Lee County. Joseph was edu- 
cated in the common schools, and in August, 1862, 
when a lad of nineti en summers, enlisted for the 
late war as a member of Company I, Thirtieth 



CO-2 



I'oirrKAir and iu(h;i!ai'iii( ai. Ai.r.iM. 



Iowa Infnnlry, and served nearly Ihrce years. II' 
was a iiiiii-ti>niniissione<l olllciT nn«l willi his rf>;i- 
iiiciit |iMilii'i|)!»ti<l in llie baltle of (iaincs Uliiff. 
Arkansas Tosl, llie siege of Viikslmrf; ami llio At- 
lanta campaign, including the celebrated March to 
llie Sea nmlt-r Sherman. At the clo.seof the war he 
t<M>k |>orl ill the Grand Review in Washiuglon. and 
was mustered out of the service in .lune, 1865. 

Soon after his return from the South, in 18('>6, 
Mr. Kliksher iinliarked in his present line of busi- 
ness in a small way, his location being Ft. 
Madison, and by gtjod inaiinj;enu'nt he incre.ised 
his trade until he wn.s llie recipient of a handsome 
income from an extensive business. In 1871 he 
came to Fnirlield, where lie has since continued 
operations in the same line with marked success, and 
with increased resources he extended his business. 
In 1882 lit' I'stalilishcd a brancli house in Hri;{hton, 
\Vashin;;ton Couiily. with T. L. Kmry as iiartner. 
under the firm name of Ricksherit Kniry, wholesale 
dealers in butler and ejiits, and proprietors of the 
Brighton (.'reamciy. The annual busines> of the 
Fairllebl house is *I50,U00 and that of the Brighton 
eslablishment is about the same, giving a totnl of 
(i.'tdU.IIOIl. In addition to the business already 
mentioned our subject is half owner of a line f.arin 
of five hundred and ninety-three acres situated in 
Fairlield Township. 

t »n the 1 I 111 of September, 1 878, a marriage cere 
inuny performed in C'enterville, Appanoose County. 
Iowa. uiiile<i Ihe destinies of .loseph Uicksher and 
Mrs. t'aroline Carpenter, widow of Kichard Car- 
penter anil a daughter of (Jeorge and Kli/.abeth 
Cliiie. Ilcr falher was born in I'eniisylvania and 
lier mother in Ohio. She is also a native of the 
Iluckeyi' Stale and is a nieniber of the Congrega- 
tional Church. Their union has been blessed with 
four children, sons, all born in Fairfield, namely: 
Charles, born October It. 187'J; William, Decemlier 
f», 18H1 ; Frank. May 20. 188.|; and Theo<lure, .Scp- 
tembei 21, 1886. 

Mr. iiicksher is a Hepubli<'aii in politics, but lias 
never sought or desired the honor of emolunienls 
of public odlce, preferring to devote his undivided 
attention to the legilimale pursuit of business. Ik- 
is a man possessed of superior executive ai.d busi- 
ness ability, enterprising yet conservative, always 



guided by correct business principles and strict in- 
tegrity, lie has been the architect f»f his own for- 
tune, and his success in life has been the result of 
his own unaided efforts. 



^\ AMI'EL BOON, a farmer and plasterer, has 
^^ long been numbered among the leading 
citizens of \'an Buren County. A friend 
to her best interests he has done not a 
little for her advancement anil progress and his 
many friends will be glad to see his sketch in the 
county' 's history. 

His grandfather, Thomas Boon, at the ."ige of sev- 
enteen years, left the Kiiierald Isle, his native land, 
and sailed fur America. On reaching this countr\ 
he was sold to :i man in I'hiladelphia to pay his 
passage, lie became a meelianic and engaged also 
in farming, following the dual occupation in llie 
Keystone State.wliere he marrieil Margaret Diinlap.a 
lady of .Scotch descent. Their son, Oeorge \V. Boon, 
was born in 1777, grew to manhood in I'ennsvl- 
vania and learned the cooper's tr.ide. t>n account 
of his falher marrying again he was thrown upon 
his own resources at the tender age of twelve 
years and from that time fought life's battle un- 
aided. About 1800, in Westmoreland County. 
Pa., he wedded Nancy Hutchinson and eleven 
years later they emigrated to Ohio, locating in the 
wilderness. They had to live in block houses to 
protect llieiii from the Indians who were far more 
numerous at the lime than the while settlers. No 
roail.s iiad been made through the forests and the 
work of civilization had just begun. Ami<l such 
surroundings our subject was reared to manhood. 
In the family were fiflcen children. seven sons and 
eight daughters, but only three sons and one 
daughter are now living. The father died in De- 
cember, 18,^7. and the mollier passed aw.ay ten 
years previously. Thc}^ lived consistent Christian 
lives and were niembeis of what is now the I iiited 
Presbyterian Church. 

Reared amid the wild scenes of pioneer life in 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



GO:? 



Ohio, the educational advantages wbich Samuel 
Boon received in bis youtli were necessarilj- limited, 
but [[possessing an observing eye and retentive 
memory he has hj- subsequent reading and observ- 
ation made himself a well informed man. He was 
born in Wayne County, Ohio, October 19, 1820, 
and after he^had reached his twenty-first year he 
learned the blacksmith's trade which continued to 
be his occupation for a quarter of a century. In 
March, 1845, he led to the marriage altar Miss 
Sarah Crawford and then brought his bride to Iowa 
where, in Birmingham, in company with his brother 
he followed blacksmithing with good success for 
sixteen years. Accumulating capital through his 
industry and good management he made an invest- 
ment in one hundred and fift}- acres of land which 
has been his home for twenty years and in connec- 
tion with the cultivation of that farm he has devoted 
his energies to the plasterer's trade. Unto Mr. and 
Mrs. Boon were born three children — Rebecca, now 
living in Ashland County; Edith L., wife of 
Francis Harlan, a merchant of Stockport; and Rob- 
ert L., now a practicing physician of Bentonsport. 
When onlj- fifteen years of age he entered the army 
as a member of the Third Iowa Regiment. He grad- 
uated from the Rush Medical College, of Chicago 
and has won for himself an honored place in the 
ranks of the medical fraternity. 

Mrs. Boon died in 1856 and in May, 1858, Mr. 
Boon wedded Hepsibel Gould, by whom he had one 
son and three daughters — Anna M., at home ; 
Margaret IL, wife of Warren Cunnin2bam,'a resi- 
dent farmer of L^nion Township, Van Buren 
County; Ada B., at home; and William Ross, who 
married Irena Cunningham and is farming near his 
old home. The children have been liberally edu- 
cated and have all followed teaching. The parents 
are members of the United Presbyterian Church in 
which he serres as Deacon. In political sentiment 
he was first a Democrat but later became a Free- 
soiler and voted for John P. Ilale. He was a del- 
egate to the convention of Abolitionists in Kco- 
sauquain 1848, which was twice mobbed but which 
nevertheless performed its work successfully. He 
then became a Republican and voted witli that 
party until the campaign of 1880, when he sup- 
ported the Prohibitionists, with which lie has since 



been connected. He carried the Prohibition stand- 
ard as candidate for ^the Legislature in" 1887 and 
made a strong canvass of the county, during which 
he challenged the opposing candidates to a dis- 
cussion but Ijoth [refused. Mr. Boon served ac- 
ceptably in the office of Justice of the Peace for 
eight years. He has been a citizen of the county 
for forty-five years and a supporter of all its best 
interests. 




ON. 8. H. ELBP:RT, who served .as Chief 
Justice of Iowa, is a citizen in whom the 
people of Van Buren County feel a deep 
interest for he was reared in their midst 
and is known personally to many of them. The 
Judge was born in Ohio, in 1833. and received lib- 
eral educational advantages, graduating from the 
Ohio University. In looking about him for a busi- 
ness which he desired to make his life work his 
choice fell upon the legal profession and he fitted 
himself for the practice of law by a thorough 
course of study in Dayton, Ohio. He entered upon 
his life work in Nebraska and had been a resident 
of that State but a short time until the people rec- 
ognizing his superior ability and fitness for leader- 
ship made him a member of the Legislative Council 
of the Territory in 1860. In April, 1862, he was 
appointed Secretarj- of Colorado Territorj', which 
position he occupied for four years. On the expira- 
tion of that time he retired to private life and re- 
sumed the practice of the law, but it was not long 
before he was again called to public duty, being 
appointed Governor of the Territory in 1873. The 
following j'ear he went to Europe and on his return 
in 1875 was elected to the Supreme Bench. This 
election as Chief Justice of Colorado was the high- 
est tribute th.at could have been paid to any man, 
and as one of the papers said of him, -'during the 
six years of his service he won high opinions be- 
cause of his rigid regard for the dignity of the 
court." Later lie was again called to the same office 
»nd with the same fidelity and faithfulness dis- 
charged his duty for several years, but at length 



GO 4 



I-OIMRAIT AND UK M ; KAl'lIK Al. ALIU'M. 



resigned on account of fiiiling henllb. In order to 
ri'Cii|HTnlf lie intiden trip to Kur<j|«', where he spent 
sometime visiliiij< ilii' countries of liie East, return- 
ing in tiic <ipriii;j; of IK'.MJ. 

On the 21st of June, ISfi.J, .ludjje Elbert was 
uiiiteil in mnrriiige with Miss .Josephine Evans, 
dauylilcr of (ieorge Evans, of Denver. After a 
short married lile of three yt-nrs her death occurred 
anil with llieir only child her remains were laid 
away in the cemetery of Denver. 

In siK'aking of the character of.I udge Elbert we 
cannot do belter than ()ui)lc fntni a sketch •.' rilten 
of him in IHK2. It said : "For .Judge Elbert, as a 
man, we have the warmest admiration; but lie is 
no politician and the honors conferred u|i()n him 
have been the result of respect for his cliarncter 
rather than the outcome of political work. It is 
for this renson, doubtless, that he is less known 
persdnally throughout tin- .Stale than others of our 
prominent men. He his the regard of the bar and 
in the fellowship of friends there is no m(U'e genial 
companion than he. A man of a strong character 
and iif the most sterling integritj', he has, on the 
Supreme Bench. fuiniU-d the duties to the satisfac- 
tion r)f the entire Stale. 'I'lie reserve that has 
eharacteri/ed him has caused him to be frequently 
misunderstiiiid ainruig those who met him but casu- 
ally; but an hour spent with him in social chat soon 
removes this feelfng of reserve. He is a good story- 
teller and joins heartily in a laugh — two qualities 
which are the best proof of tine fellowtJiip." 



^43^ 



]1L-^ ON. .IDIIN W. CAKK.a farmer and banker, 
who for the past thirty years ha.s been a 
!J^ resident of Milton, \'an Ibiren County, was 
(§Q) born near Columbus, in Franklin Coiinly. 
Ohio, on the llth of November, lH:?ti. His par- 
ents were.lonutlian and Maryaiet .Iaiie( Weathering- 
ton) Carr. The father was burn in Virginia in 181(1, 
was a farmer by occupation, and settled in Franklin 
County. Ohio, in noly life. Ihe mother was liorn 
near Columbus, in IHl,t, and W!i» the daughter of 




John and Sarah Weatherington, who were natives 
of N'irginia. Iii 1H| J John W. Carr removed with 
his parents to Madison County. III., where his 
father died the year following. .Soon after her 
husband's death Mrs. Carr returned to her former 
home in Ohio. John W. attended school in his 
native .State until the spring of 1853 when, with 
his mother, he emigrated to Iowa, settling on a 
farm situated three miles to the northward of the 
city of Milton, in the township of .Iack.*on, \'an 
Buren Counl^'. Ho at once engaged in farming 
and in making a home for liis mother. The fol- 
lowing winter he attended the Troy Academy for 
one term ami (illecl himself for teaching, aflcr 
which, for scveriil suc<'essive years, he wjis em- 
ployed on the farm during the working seasons 
and in leaching school during the winter months. 
Al length, having secured a cash capital of ^350, 
he embarked in iiiercliandising in Milton in roin- 
pany with George .Smith, under the linn name of 
Smith A: Carr. In 186-2 Robert Hussell was ad- 
mitted to partnersliii). and in 1H64 .Mr. Sinilli sold 
out to liis partners. The business was conducted 
by Messrs. Carr and Uussell until 18G7, when Mr. 
Carr became sole projirielor, and from that time 
carried on oiierations alone uiilil .laiiuaiy. 187.'), 
when his falher-in-law. .Joseph Moore, purchased 
an interest in the business, and the conneclion con- 
tinued until March, 1882, when Mr. Carr sold out 
and turned his allenlioo to his extensive fanning 
properly which he had gradually- .scquired while 
merchandising. His farms, which aggregate twelve 
hundrrd acres, lie principally in Jackson Township, 
\n\\ lUiren Counly, while a portion of his laml is 
situated in Roscoe Townsliij) adjoining, just across 
the line in Davis Counly. 

In \'an Buren County, on the L'Tlli of December. 
18(!(l. .Mr. Carr was married U> .Miss lleiiriptta 
Moore, daughter of Joseph and Lucy Moore, of 
Chequcst Towiislii(), this coiiiity. The lady was 
born in Franklin County, Ohio. .Inly 21, 1810. and 
came to Van Buren Counly with her |);ireiits in 
1842. On the .'itli of t)ctober, 1887, Mr. Carr, in 
company with Messrs. . J. E. Billups, .Joseph Moore, 
J. J). Rowland, the Russell brothers and C. E. Bull, 
bought out .J. I). Nash and incor|iorated the Cili- 
zcns' Bank, of Milton, willi a capital of ¥10,000 






^{yrruo 




PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



f>()7 



Mr. Can- was elected President and W. D. Russell 
Cashier. William Rilliips subsequently- liouglit out 
the Russell brothers" interest and served one j'car 
as Cashier, after which he resigned the position to 
Frank JNL Kdniundson, the present cashier, but still 
retains his interest in the bank. Mr. Cai-r has held 
the position of President uninterruptedly since the 
organization of the company. In political senti- 
me)it he is a Democrat, lie has held numerous 
township offices in Jackson Township and enjoys the 
distinction of having been the only Democrat ever 
elected to the State Senate from the .Second District 
of Iowa. He was elected in 1884 over one of the 
most popular Republicans in the district, Col. S. 
A. Moore, by a majority of 3.50; Mr. Carr's 
vote was 3,122, to Mr. Moore's 2,772, while Mr. 
Trebblecock. the Greenback candidate, received 
899 votes. 

Mr. Carr is esteemed one of the most successful 
business men of Van Buren County and has won 
his success b}' his unaided efforts and sagacious 
business management. As a financier, he is an ac- 
knowledged leader in his community, where he en- 
joys the unbounded confidence and respect of a 
wide circle of friends and business associates. 



. > . :>o <-i 






^«SS' 



\fl AMES HICKENBOTTOM, deceased. Among 
the earliest and most highly esteemed 
pioneers of JefJerson County is numbered 
the gentleman whose name heads this sketch. 
He was born in Kentucky, September 23, 1829, a 
son of Joseph and Rebecca (Ferguson) Hicken- 
bottom. His father was also a native of Kentucky, 
born in 1802. But his mother was a Carolinian by 
birth and first opened her eyes to the light of d.ay 
in 1799. In early life she emigrated to Kentucky 
with her people and tliere became the wife of Mr. 
Hickenbottom. About 1823 the young couple re- 
moved to Jacksonville, III., where for some fifteen 
years the husband carried on the shoemaking 
lousiness. In 1838 he emigrated to Jefferson County, 



Iowa, making a first location near Brighton, but 
soon afterward he secured a claim where Parson- 
ville now stands, which is still held by the family. 
Possessed of good foresight and sound business 
judgment, he turned to good account nearly every 
business enterprise with which he was connected. 
Beginning life a poor man he Labored on success- 
fully until he had accumulated one thousand acres 
of land. He not only had to overcome the disad- 
vantages of poverty, but lack of education proved 
an obstacle in his path, but like all other diflicullies 
in his way he overcame this. He could not read 
at the time of his marriage, but by personal effort 
he mastered the common branches of learning and 
liecame a fairly well informed man. Politicallj' he 
was a life long Democrat. In 1862 his wife, who 
for thirty years had been a member of the Metho- 
dist Church and was a consistent Christian lady, 
passed to her reward. After her death he married 
Mrs. Moberly, widow of Dr. J. T. Moberly. His 
children, eleven in number, were all bj- his first 
wife. He died in 1882. 

James Hickenbottom, the subject of this sketch, 
inherited in full measure the Inisiness capacity of 
his father. As the schools in this neighborhood at 
that day were of the poorest sort, the most of his 
knowledge was acquired by reading and observa- 
tion, and experience was to him a faithful teacher. 
by whose lessons he profited to the welfare of his 
financial resources. Among his first business en- 
terprises was a trip to the pineries of Wisconsin. 
Borrowing ten dollars he went thither and began 
work. At length he prepared a raft of lumber, but 
a rise in the river and a flow of ice sv.-e|>t it ail 
awa}^ He was not disconcerted however, for no 
obstacle so large arose in his path but what he 
could find some way to surmount it. His whole 
career wss marked by indomitable perseverance, 
and success was consequently' attendant upon his 
efforts. 

Mr. Hickenbottom was also fortunate in his 
matrimonial alliances as to the ladies of his choice, 
he being three times mi'rried. The wife of his 
earlv manhood was Jane C. Allison, a native of 
Washington County, Pa., born April 20, 1830. 
She was the mother of all his chihlren — ten in 
number. His second wife was Mary Restine, after 



CU8 



POHTRAIT AND niOGRAPMlCAI. ALIJL'M. 



wlioSL- ikiilh he we<i(le(l Susnn L. Dean, a native of 
New York City anil h most estimable lady. 

Mr. Iliokenbollom cniriijrcfl in fnriiiinjr iliirin;; 
the jirenltr part of hi-* life, but his last years were 
sjKsnt in Fairfield in the loan business, lie took an 
active interest in political affairs ami was a slronj; 
advocate of Democratic principles, lie J was an 
earnest worker in the Methodist Episcopal Chnrch. 
a member of the Masonic order and of the Olil 
Sttlers .st)ciety. In all those orffanizations he had 
liosts of warm friends, and his circle of acquaint- 
ances and friends embraced many ontside of those 
orguni/ations. He died September IS, 1887, re- 
spected '>y all who knew him. In his death Jeffer- 
son County lost one of its earliest settlers and most 
useful citizens. 



-^S'- 



^'-^Jt^Vt;^:?^^^ 




AMI KL 1". HlJOKKR who is now living in 
Kairlk'lil, is numbered amon<; the early set- 
tlers of .IcITerson County. The history of 
his life is as follows: lie was born in St. 
Clairsville. I5elmont County, Ohio, on the I Ith of 
.Inly. 1N2:1, his parents being William and Patience 
(Uerry) Booker. His father was born near Win- 
chester. Va., in 171)1, and his mother, who was a 
vejir his junior, was a native of IJrownville, I'a. In 
their childhood, they accompanied their respective 
families to Ohio, where they became acquainted 
and were marrieil, locating in .St. Clairsville. Mr. 
Hooker wsis proprietor of a saddler's shop at that 
place and did an extensive business. One of the 
saddles which be niaiiufai'turcd In 18.'J2 is now in 
possession of our subject, lie was a keen, shrewd 
and energetic business man who generally accom- 
jilished whatever he undertook. No ordinary im- 
pediment or obstacle could deter him from pursuing 
a plan but he always found some way in which to 
overcome the dilllcnlty. In an early day he car- 
ried on trading on the (^hio Kivcr and also dealt in 
lan<ls. He was iustrumi nUil in the establishment 
of the lUlmonl Hank, of Si. Clairsville, Ohio, which 
was one of the important moneyed institutions of 



its day. While living in St. Clairsville, he held 
the office of Postmaster for a number of years. In 
1H,'>9 he removed to Ralls County, Mo., where he 
h.'id acquired lands, in order to devote his attention 
to the care of his proi)erty. His character was 
worth of every honor paid it and as an example of 
his uprightness !iiid the high regard in which he 
was held, we state that he was made one of the ex- 
ecutors having in charge the estate of the noted 
•lacob K. firove. On becoming a voter Mr. 
Booker identified himself with the Democratic 
parly, but at the time of \'an Huren's nomination 
for the Presidency lie became a supporter of the 
Whig party, and on the organization of the Repub- 
lican p.Trty joined its ranks. During the war he was 
outspoken in favorof the policy of President Lincoln 
and continued a warm defender of his parly's princi- 
ples until his death, which occurred in 1878. His 
wife spent licr List da\s at the home of our subject 
and had attained the ripe old age of eighty-two 
years when her life here was ended. 

Samuel F. Booker is one of the worthy and re- 
spected citizens of Jefferson County. In his youth 
he was surrounded by Christian infiuences which 
did much to mould the character which has been 
admired by his many frieiiils fur its excellencies. 
His cducatiDual advantages were also superior to 
those afforded many youths of his day. He be- 
came familiar with the higher branches of mallie- 
malics, including geometry aii<l surveying and his 
schol.aslic training also embraced a course in Latin. 
He was thus somewhat filled fiu- his life work, yet 
on starting out to battle with the world he had not 
the advantages of capital. At the age of eighteen, 
he went down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers to 
New Orleans, shipping produce to that market, af- 
ter which, for some sixleeii years, he was engaged 
in buying and selling horses, from which business 
he realized a good income. 

On the IMh of .May, 184S, .Mr. Hooker was 
united in marriage with Miss Narcissa A., daughter 
of William and Harriet (Magill)Wilkins. Her birth 
occurred at St. Clairsville, Ohic>, December 12, 
182'.t, where her father ran a saddler's shop for 
some years. He w;is a native of South Carolina 
but was reared in Pennsylvania and when a 3oun"- 
man removed to Ohio, where he was married. His 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



609 



wife was a native of Winchester, Va. Both diert 
at St. Cliiiisville, respected l\y all who knew them. 
They were members of the Methodist Chnrch and 
consistent Christian people. Mr. Wilkiiis served 
as associate judge of the court of common pleas. 

In 1854, accompanied by two companions, Mr. 
Booker came to Jefferson County and as he found 
the^country all that he anticipated, he made pur- 
ch.ise of one hundred and sixty five acres of land 
on section 27, Buchanan Township, which is still 
in his possession. He then returned to the East 
and for some time longer was engaged in dealing in 
horses. At the breaking out of the war he took some 
stock to Baltimore and at Harper's Ferry he and 
some others who were engaged in the same business 
were taken from the caboose and made prisoners in 
the room where John Brown had l)een captured, but 
the Confederate authorities soon afterwards re- 
leased them. He succeeded in making a sale of his 
horses and in paj-ment received a note indorsed by 
Stonewall Jackson. Two weeks were passed be- 
fore he could get the note discounted and then he 
suffered some annoyance before he was permitted 
to le.ive; in fact, had it not been for his friend, 
Cai)t. James Hunter, he would probably not 
have succeeded in so doing. In 1865 Mr. Booker 
took up his residence on his farm in Jefferson 
Countj' and continued its development and im- 
provement until 1878. One glance from a pass- 
er-by would serve to indicate that the owner was a 
man of thrift and enterprise who thoroughly un- 
derstood his business and siiared neither labor or 
expense in making it what a farm of the IDth cen- 
tury should be. Since 1878 he has spent a consid- 
erable portion of his time in Missouri. On the 
death of his father, he was made administrator of 
the estate, which involved him in litigation concern- 
inor the Grove estate but this he lirought to a suc- 
cessful termination. In his various business enter- 
l)rises he has succeeded in acquiring a competence 
which enables him to spend his declining years in 
quiet retirement from business cares. 

Unto Mr. and Mrs. Booker have been bor]i four 
children who are yet living — Anna P., wifeof Rob- 
ert Sands; Charles H., who is employed as a book- 
keeper in Cleveland. Ohio; Harrj' F., a merchant 
of Fairfield; and Clara G. The last named is 



one of the triplets but the other two died in in- 
fancy, ftlr. and Mrs. Booker hold membership in 
the Presbyterian Church, and in politics he is a 
Republican and has held the office of Assessor. A 
large circle of friends and acquaintances hold them 
in high esteem, and knowing this sketch will be 
read with interest by many, we are pleased to record 
it on the pages of the history of their adopted 
county. 



y L. EVERiyrr, a farmer residing on section 
9, Locust Grove Township, Jefferson County, 
is the son of Isaac and Amelia (Cosgrove) 
Everett, who for a number of years resided 
in this community and ranked among its best 
citizens. They were both natives of Pennsylvania, 
and after their marriage which was celebrated in 
the Keystone State, they removed to Ohio in 1839, 
making a location in Hocking County. It was 
during their stay in thai county, that the birth of 
our subject occurred, the 3-ear being 1848. In 
1865 the parents removed to Burlington, Iowa, but 
a year later took up their residence upon the farm 
which is now the home of J. L. Their last days 
were S)jent in this county' Mr. Everett passing awav 
in 1872, while the death of his wife occurred in 
October, 1884. Their family numbered nine chil- 
dren — Mrs. Mary Danley, of Hocking County.Ohio; 
Sarah, now Jlrs. Connor, of Athens County. Ohio; 
Mrs. Priscilla Parsons, of Lucas County, Iowa; J. L. 
of this sketch; Nancy who is now Mrs. Ornduff, of 
Oregon; Edward, a resident of Oregon; Ida, now 
Mrs. Fleenor, of Polk Township, Jefferson County; 
Survenas who is living in Oregon; and Clara now 
Mrs. John Connor, of Kansaj. The Everett family 
is inseparably connected with the history of Jeffer- 
son County for a number of its members were 
valued citizens of the community, while some are 
still here residing and equally with the others are 
held in high esteem. 

It is said that each person is fitteil for son.e par- 
ticular business and that if he engages in that pursuit 
his life will be a success. Accepting this theory, we 



610 



PORTRAIT AND BICKiRAPIlK AL ALBUM. 



!<boulH say that Mr. Ererett found the work for 
whicli nature Imil intendi'd biin. He tuinnienced 
fiirniing for liiuiHi-lf nt the age of twenty years, on 
wlml is now the <«hl homestead and has there carried 
on o|>crations. his labors nellinj; him a good income 
wliieb provides him witli all the comforts of life. 
lie was married in Jefferson County, in February. 
1874. to Miss Mercy Peters, who was born in this 
rounly and is a daughter of .lohn W. and Ann 
Klizabctb (llolden) Peters, who were natives of 
Indiana. Their residence in Jefferson County dates 
from 1844. wiien. settling in Polk Township. Mr. 
Peters began the development of a farm, improv- 
ing more than two hundred acres. In 1852, be 
engaged in general merchandising in Abingdon, 
where two yeais later his death occurred, lie was 
an earnest Christian gentleman, faithful to every 
dutv and the acts of kindne^-i and deeds of charity 
which he |)orformed won him the love and gratitude 
of many. His wife, a most estimable lady, still 
survives him and makes her home in Abingdon. 
The children of their family are James R., now a 
resident of Polk Township, who enlisted in Daven- 
port, Iowa, in CoHipany D. Nineteenth Iowa Infantry 
in 1HC2 and served three years; .'^arah !•"., wife of 
G. A. Campbell, of Abingdon; Matilda who died 
in \Hi',it; Isaac who died in t)clol)cr, IHfi'J; Mercy, 
wife of our .subject; and Lucinda Jane, now Mrs. 
Clark, of Abingdon. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Kverett have been born eight 
children, six of whom are living — Eddie died in 
1871), at the age of twoyeare; Gladstone T., Maud, 
Blanche, Mabel. .lolin. Karl and Anna Lee are at 
home. 

Mr. Kverett began life with no capital, save .•» 
yonuK man's bri;;ht hope of the future, pluck and 
energy, but the.se proved ample to unlock the por 
tnis of success. His first purchase consisted of 
only twenlyei^'lit acres of timber land, but this he 
deareil an<l planted, aihling to it from time to time 
as opportunity afforded until he is now the owner 
of a one hundred and seventy-five farm, all fenced 
anri uniler a good state of cultivation. He is not 
nn ofllce seeker but on the solicitation of friends 
accepted the ofllce of trustee anil ulso served on the 
School Hoard, where he did elTe<'live service for the I 
cause of education, of which be is a warm friend. 1 



Politically, be is a Democrat, and socially, he is a 
member of Abingdon Lodge. No. 468. I. (). O. F. 
He served as treasurer of the onler for some years 
and baa p.-issed through all the chairs of the order. 
He and bis wife are members of the Christian 
Church an<l their circle of friends is extensive, 
emluMcinir the best citizens of the communi'.v. 




!»I1.L1AM .1. .lOllN.SON has l)een a resident 
f-,.f of \'an Buren Count}' for fifty-three years, 
/ years in which the county has made much 
progress, in which it has advanced rapidly in the 
march of civilization and progress and in which, 
through the instrumentality of the early settlers, it 
has won a foremost place in the ranks of its sister 
counties in this great commonwealth. He was 
born in Warren County, Ohio, on the 1st of De- 
cember, 1821. and when a lad of six summers 
accompanied his parents to Indiana, where he 
acquired such education as the pioneer schools of 
that day afforded. In the spring of 1837, he ac- 
companied his father to Van Buren County, and 
.^ssisted in making preparations for the reception 
of the family, which preparations consisted in the 
erection of a log cabin. He spent two years on the 
farm aiding in the development of the wild land 
and then went to Bonaparte wliere he assisted in 
the construction of the first dam across the river. 
A mill was then built and entering the same he 
was there emidoyed for nearly* seventeen consecu- 
tive years, when having acquired sulBcient capital 
to engage in business for himself, he embarked in 
mercantile pursuits. In i8.')G, the company of 
Johnson & Christy was forme<l and for a quarter of 
a century the parlneiship continued, the firm doing 
a good business and gaining a wide reputation for 
fair ileaMng, courteous treatment and the excellent 
qualitj" of the goods carried. 

In 1841'p, in Van Buren County. Mr. Johnson led 
to the marriage altar .Miss Mary .1. Christy and 
unto them was born a family of nine children. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



611 



James, tlie eldest, died at the age of eighteen years; 
CUaiissa J. is the wife of George F. Smith, etlitoi 
of tlie Keosauqua Democral; Nancy B. is the wife 
of Geoige T. Waid; Maggie M. wedded William 
Meek; Ellen M. is single; Thomas H. is engaged in 
the practice of law; Joseph A., is employed as 
cashier in the Farmers' and Traders' Banli of Bona- 
parte; George B. is chief train dispatcher for the 
Ft. Wortli & Denver Railroad Company, with 
headquarters at Ft. Worth; and the ninth child 
died in infancy. 

In political sentiment, Mr. Johnson is a stanch 
supporter of Democratic principles; he was elected 
Clerk of the courts of Van Buren County and lias 
hi Id other local offices of trust. In many ways he 
is inseparably connected with the early history of 
this county, having been identified with not a few 
of its earl}' projects and enterprises. Ever willing 
to assist in the advancement of anything calcu- 
lated to benefit the community, his aid was fre- 
quently solicited and response cheerfully made. 




ON. CHARLES NEGUS, deceased, the pio- 
neer lawyer of Fairfield, Iowa, who at his 
death was the oldest member of the Jeffer- 
son Count}' bar, was born in Webster, Mass., 
in 1816. He lost his father in childhood, passed 
his early years in liardshii)s, and at the age of four- 
teen chose a guardian for himself, and passed from 
under the care of a step-father. When seventeen 
years of age he joined the Methodist Episcopal 
Church, of which he was an active member the 
greater part of his life. He was ambitious to ac- 
quire a good education, and was an industrious 
student, making good use of his leisure hours. 
Through the kindly assistance of a female relative, 
in 1834 he became a student in the Wesle3'an Uni- 
versity of Middleton, Conn., and while pursuing 
his studies in college, he sustained himself by teach- 
ing and other employments as opportunity afforde<l. 
In 1838 he was graduated, and with the desire to 



enter upon a legal profession, he turned his atten- 
tion to the study of law. During the year 1839, 
he went to Petersburg and Richland, Va., and was 
engaged in teaching in that State unlil the .luluinn 
of 1840, when he bade good-by to his old home, 
and started for the far West. After several months 
spent in travel and prospecting, he liniilly located, 
in the spring of 1841, in Fairfield, Iowa, where he 
entered upon the practice of his profession. Three 
years later he returned to Richmond, \'a., and was 
joined in wedlock with Miss Martha Eleanor Smith, 
who comes of an old Virginian family, and is a na- 
tive of Richmond, that .State. 

Immediately after their marriage, .ludge Negus 
returned with his bride to Fairfield, where he con- 
tinued to make his home until his death, which oc- 
curred on the 4lh of May, 1877, leaving his wife 
and three children to mourn the loss of a devoted 
husband and fatlier. The eldest child, Lyraau 
Smith, is an only son. He studied law with his 
father, was admitted to the bar, and for several 
years was his father's law partner. He is now a 
resident of Red Oak, Iowa. The eldest daughter, 
Mary Cary Ambler, is the wife of Thomas Gritfilh, 
of Red Oak; Susan Ella, the youngest, wedded 
Isaac Dryson, and is living with her husband in 
Los Angeles, Cal. Mrs. Negus removed to Red 
Oak, in 1881, and has since made that city her place 
of residence. 

The Judge was a life-long Democrat, honest in 
his convictions, and fearless in defense of his prin- 
ciples through the dark da^'s of the late Civil War, 
when to be a Democrat in Iowa, during the high 
state of political feeling then existing, was to be 
subjected to coldness and suspicion by over-zealous 
supporters of the administration. Judge Negus 
rose above the petty annoyances of the times, and 
commanded and enjoyed the respect of his fellow- 
citizens in a marked degree. His energy, enter- 
prise and public spirit brought him into i)romincnce 
even in the early days of his residence in Fairfield. 
He was chosen to many public positions of honor 
and trust, the duties of which he discharged with 
ability and fidelity. He was elected Judge of the 
Probate Court in 1843. and served until 1846. In 
18.50 he was elected a Representative of the Gen- 
eral Assembly- of Iowa, in 1856 was appointed Pro- 



612 



roi;ii;\iT and ijiuiikai'iiilal albi.m. 



haU- .Iiidfic nnd Ihe following yi-nr wiis elected | 
I'mjicculing Attorney. He wns one of tlie origi- 
nal projectors of the Iowa Kiiiirond C'oni|miiy, wns 
very energetic and influential in support of that en- 
terprise, nnd WHS elected I'resiilent of the company. 
He twice .tcrved as I'lcsident of llie School Uo;iid, 
nnd also as Director. He took an active part in 
securing the estalilishnient of the lirnnch of the 
Male I niver.-'ity of Fnirlield. which for years was 
the import.inl institution of learning here, and in 
other ways did much to advance the educational 
interests of the city. 

At the holding of the first quarterly meeting in | 
Faiillelil. held in IHll. Judge Negus was admitted 
to niciiilicrship, nnd gave liheraliy toward the liuild- 
ing of the first church of that denomination in Fair- 
field. Mrs. Negus is an Kpiscopalinn, and we find 
liy the records that the .ludge was chosen a mem- 
her of the First Vestry of SI. I'cter's Episcoiml 
Church, which wa.s elected .March 24, 185G. He 
continued his connection with the ICpisco|ial Church 
during the remainder of his life. As n citizen, he 
was ahvfiys pul)lic-spiritcil, nnd wa:* prominent in 
every enterprise cnlculaleil to Itcnefit the comniu- 
jilty in which he lived. To his efforld and influ- 
ence the people of Fairlield are more indebted 
Ihnii to the labors of any other for tiu; building of 
the Southwestern Railroad through this city. The 
high esteem in which he w.'is held, is best shown by 
the action of his brethren of tlu' bar at the time of 
his death. 

On Saturday evening. .M.ny ."i, 1H77, a meeting 
of the Jefferson CVmnty bar was held, to take ap- 
propriate action upon the death of Judge Negus. 
George Acheson, then the oldest surviving member 
of the bar, wns called to the chair; Charles H. I,eg- 
gelt, now .ludge of the District Court, was made 
.Secretary. Those present in addition to the two 
above named, were C. W. Slagle, .lames F. Wilson, 
now United States .Senator; I). P. Siiibbs. W. U. 
CullnTtson, J. J. Cummings, M. A. .^IcCoid, late 
member of Congress; David Heron, J. \i. .Mc- 
Craekcn; \V. A. Frush. H. H. Knight,.!. I). Mount, 
nnd George II. Case. The following resolutions 
were adopted : 

WueRRAS, Hon. Charles Negus, a raeir.bcr of 
ti.e bar of Fairfield. Iowa, after a successful prac- ; 



tice in his profession, for a period exceeding one- 
third of ;i century, has been stricken down by the 
hand of death; We, his associates in the profession, 
who have long nn<l intimately known him, do 
hereby place on record, this minute to his memory. 

The deceased was the »>lde3t practicing attorney 
at our bar. and as such was entitled to. and had our 
esteem and reverence. 

Asa lawyer, he was courteous and honorable; 
ever indefatigable in the pre|iaration of his cases, 
and in his efforts to secure the legal rights of his 
clients. 

As a citizen, he was public spirited and inter- 
ested himself in each ami every project for the bene- 
fit t)f our city and county. 

As a member of the Iowa Li gi.slatnre. Probate 
.ludge of this county. I'resiilent of the Iowa Rail- 
w.ay (iimpniiy. Director of our public schools, and 
in many other prominent pLblic positions, he faith- 
fully <lischnrged his duties, and h:is left his mark 
upon the times in which he lived and upon the 
State of his adoption. 

We have unfeigned sorrow in the death of f)ur 
brother, by which our ranks are broken for the first 
lime in many years, and we accept our personal 
and ()rofe8sional loss only with great sadness. Our 
hearts <zo out in tenderesl .sympathy to the wiilow 
and childien of our deceased brother in their be- 
reavement, and we tender them our sincere con- 
dolence." 

Remarks were made by the chairman and others 
present, expressing their high opinion of their late 
brother, of liis ability, his faithfulness and energy, 
his high sl.'indard of professional conduct, his pub- 
lic spirit and leadership in all the enlerprises which 
have enriched i^ur county and beautifie<l our city; 
and f)f the lieauty and integrity of his clniracter, 
and testifying to the shOck caused by the death of 
one who was a friend to each of us. the oldest of 
all, the first to be called aw.ay. The minute was 
adopted by the vole of all present. 

(iKOKc.E AfiiKsox, Chairman. 
Cii.Mii.Ks D. Lkooktt, Secretary. 

Judge Negus took u warm interest in all that per- 
tained lo the history of his adopted State, gathered 
much interesting data on that subject, and wrote 
industriously and ably in that cause. Many inter- 
esting sketches perUiiniiig to i)ioneer times in Iowa. 
fr<jm his |)en, were published in the Annals of Iowa, 
a historical periodical issued by authority of the 
.State Historical .Society. For several years just 
prior to his death, he devoted much labor to the 
preparation of a history of Inwa, v hicli he con- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALRITM. 



613 



teinplatod publishing, but death came befoie his 
work was completed. Judge Negus was a man of 
marked individuality, brave, self reliant, dignified 
in manner, 3-et genial and courteous to all; never 
covetous or given to selfish desire of personal gain, 
but earnest in a broad spirit of devotion for the 
l)ublic' welfare, and best enjoyed tiiat svhicli bene- 
fited his fellow-men througli the prosperity of the 
commonwealth wherein lie lived. 




jj OBERT MOORE, the subject of this sketch, 

is a jjrominent pioneer settler of Round 

*^ \Vi Prairie Township, dating his residence in 

^'^ Jefferson County from the spring of 1840. 
However, two years previous he had located in Van 
Bui en County, and maj' therefore be called a pio- 
neer of tifty-two 3ears standing. His home is now 
located on section ' 1 7. and his post-office is Glas- 
gow. He was once extensively engager] in farm- 
ing, but bas now practically retired, but we will 
speak more fulh' of his business interests later on. 
Mr. Moore was born on the northern bank of 
the Ohio River in Dearborn County, Ind., Janu- 
ary' 4, 1819, and is the fifth child of Robert and 
Elizabeth (Powall) Moore. His father was a na- 
tive of Ireland, but when a lad of eight summers, 
crossed the broad Atlantic with his parents to 
America, and settled in Pennsylvania, where he 
grew to manhood and was married. The lady of 
his choice was a native of Washington, Pa., and by 
their union were born ten children, but only three 
are now living, the eldest of whom is Robert, the 
subject of this notice; George, the second brother, 
is, a merchant of Bentonsport, Iowa; and Rachel is 
now Mrs. Morris, of Pawnee County, Kan. As be- 
fore stated, Robert Moore, Sr., was married in 
Penns^ivania, but shortly afterward he became a 
resident of Ohio, and later made his home in In- 
diana. In 1838, be removed to Van Buren County, 
Iowa, where he and his wife spent the remainder of 
their lives. The death of :Mrs. Moore occurred in 
1860, and three years later he was laid by her side 



in the cenieUT\ of llenlonsport. They were highly 
resijected by all who knew them, and many friends 
n)ourned their loss. 

Robert Moore, Jr., reached the age of maturit3- 
soon after the family settled in Iowa, at which time 
he began learning the carpenter's tr.ide. This 
business he followed untd he was enaliled to make 
the purchase of forty acres of unimproved land in 
Round Prairie Township, becoming ownt-r of that 
tract in 1841. The same year he married Miss 
Sarah Stewart, daughter of Richard and Elizabeth 
(Cheney) Stewart, who were also pioneersof Round 
Prairie Township. With a thrifty helpmate to sup- 
plement the undaunted activity and energy eharac- 
leristie of his own nature, Mr. Moore began to lay 
the foundation of his home and fortune, and by 
hard work and economy he was enabled to make 
niany improvements upon his farm, and add to his 
original purchase an additional forty acres prior to 
the j-ear 1850, at which time he became infected 
with the gold fever, and crossed the plains to Cali- 
fornia. The trip was made with an ox-team, and 
one hundred and eleven da3's were required to 
make the i)assage from the Missouri River to Cold 
Springs, Cal., near where he was successfully en- 
gaged in mining about tvvo years. Not wishing to 
again brave the dangers, the trials and hardships of 
a trip across the countr3', he returned to his home 
by way of the Isthmus of Panama and New York 
City. In 1S60. he again made a trip to the fields 
of gold, but this time his destination was Pike's 
Peak, CoUi., and a few months sufficed to convince 
him that it would be moie profitable for him to de- 
vote himself to his business interests in Iowa, than 
to seek for gold where none was to be found. A 
third time, in 1862, he ag.iin traveled Westward. 
visiting Oregon and Idaho. His travels were not 
only a success when considered from a financial 
standpoint, but proved of a highly interesting and 
instructive character. B\- his intercourse with the 
different people with whom he came in contact, he 
gained a knowledge of the world, not given in text 
books, and saw man3' sights and encountered man3- 
interesting experiences which make his conversa- 
tion regarding his travels of pleasing interest to his 
hearers. His pioneer experiences in this and Van 
Buren Counties, are also worthy of mention. The 



f,! I 



l<i!!Il;\rr AND liloOR MMIK \I. AI.IU'IM. 



Ii!iiilslii|)s mill privalinii^ iiiiHiiiii in iicmiIm-i nii-, 
wcTf nor iiiikiiKwn ti> llii> fnniily. neitlicr wore its 
l^ciilinr pleasures niid enjoyments. A people sep- 
nriilf"! from fri.'iids. and witii little moans of com- 
municiiiion nl liuii i-onininr.d, nmke for themselves 
pleasures, and promote sociability such as is not 
found in any other eonimunity. At the lime of 
his st'U'oment in the neighliorl.ood, Iowa di<l not 
contain as many inhabitants as are now found in 
some of her citios. the population was widely scal- 
tereil. and tiic work of progress and advancement 
cecmed scarcely begun. Mr. Moore was present at 
the first land sale held in the Territory. One inci- 
dent In his early life in Iowa is worthy of mention. 
While living; in Van Huren County, he started on a 
trip to the mnutli of tiie l)es Moines Uiver fctrsome 
goods that had been shipped to that point. On 
reaching Lexintflon, he was asked to take charge of 
a box which was to lie conveyed down the river. 
lie ctinsented anil undertook the mission, but there 
appeared to be something mysterious connected 
.vith the afT.iir, and in course of time it was dis- 
covered that the box coiitiiined tiie l)i>ncs of theln- 
rlian chief. IJlack Hawk which hml been stolen by 
one Dr. Turner and .lohn Synord. who took them 
to .St. Louis, where they expected to realize a 
handsome sum from them. Fading to realize on 
them ns expected, l)r. Turner brought the bones 
back to C^uincy, III., after which they were returned 
to the chief's family. 

Mr. and .Mrs. Moon' hold nicmbcrsliip in the Free 
Methodist Church of Mt. Zion. They are the par- 
ents of ten children, but four have been called 
home: William, who married Miss Klizabelh .lohn- 
son, is living in I'otlnwalomie County, Iowa; Kl- 
len is now deceased; Margaret A. is the wife of 
Alex Dowd. of Nebraska; Frances is the wife of 
Albert (Iregg, of Republic County, Kan.; Annie 
wedded .ludson I logate. of the same county ; Kmina 
J. is now .Mrs. Stephen Wadkins. and her homo Is 
on the old farm; Kita .1. is still with her parents; 
George W., Robert and .lohn W. nre deceased. 

In his political views, Mr. Moore is a Kepubllcan. 
and is accounted one of the leading and valued 
citizens of the eonimunity. On his return from 
his third trip in the West, ho settled down to active 
fririn life, and during u few years following added 



II,..., ,i..|.i.., . i... ir,.~. ;ii,.l ixUiided the boundaries 
of his farm until he now owns two hundred acres. 
His home is a commodious and pleasant dwelling, 
good barns and outbuildings are provided for the 
care of the stf>ck and grain, the fences are all in re- 
pair, and everything pert.nining to a well arranged 
farm is there seen. Mr. Moore has now laid aside 
many of his business interests, devoting his atten- 
tion solely to keeping his farm in repair, and to the 
raising of fine stock. He has been cpeciall^" suc- 
cessful in the latter branch of his business, and has 
raised some of the finest horses in the county, in- 
cluding a team of Norman mares which were prob- 
ably the best ever raised in Southeastern Iowa. His 
properly and wealth are the result of his own eflforts 
and he not only nowh.asa comfortable income, but 
has acquired sullicicnt c.ipilal to enable him to lay 
aside the more arduous duties of life, and spends 
his time in the enjoyment of the fruits of former 
toil. 



'^^^k^^'^^ 



" ON. (;K()Rt;K F. WKIi.lir. ..nc of the 
* prominent men of Keosauqua, \'an Hurtii 
County, Iowa, now a prominent attorney of 
^) Council IJIuffs. Iowa, is a native of Warren, 
Washington County, Pa., born Decembers, 18."5;J. 
His father, Franklin \. Wright, of Knglish descent, 
was a farmer by occupation and a man of decided 
character, who exerted a great iiilbunic in his 
community. 

George received a good academic ediicalion, 
and designed to pursue a collegiate course. At the 
age of seventeen he engaged in te.achintr. continu- 
ing that occupation four years; at the expiration 
of that lime, in the spring of 18o5, Mr. Wright 
settled in Keosauqua, \'an Buren County, and be- 
gan the study of law in the olliceof Messrs. Knapp 
<fc Wright; was admitted to the bar in 185G, be- 
coming a partner in the firm with whom he studied; 
continuing in practice in Keosauqua until IfiCiM 
with good success. Mr. Wright then removed to 
Couniil HInffs, his iiresent home, and resumed the 
practice of his profession with .Judge Caldi IJald- 



PORTRAIT A^D BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



615 



win. Durino; tire partnersliip they acted as attor- 
neys for the CliicaoQ, Rook Island it Pacific Rail- 
road, also for the Burlington & Missouri, and the 
Union Pacific Railroad. 

His fellow. citizens seeing in Mr. Wright peculiar 
fitness for official position, have honored him with 
responsible trusts. While a resident of Keosauqua 
he was solicited to become a candidate for the Leg- 
islature, but dec)ine<l on account of pressing en- 
gagements. In 1874 he was elected to represent 
in the State Senate the district comprising Mills 
and Pottawattamie Counties for four years. In 
puljlie enterprises he has always been active, and 
while in the .State Senate he acted a piominent part. 
During the Civil War he rendered very efficient 
service to the State in raising troops, and through 
his efforts the necessity of a draft in Van Buren 
County was avoided. Upon the first call for vol- 
unteers by President Lincoln, he was commissioned 
by Gov. Kirkwood, and raising a company, repaired 
to the rendezvous, but the call being filled the com- 
pany disbanded. 

Personally, Mr. Wright is a man of sterling 
qualities, and possesses a wide range of experience. 
He was married ip 1865, to Miss Ellen E. Brooks, 
of Northfield. Vt., and l>y tliat union was blessed 
with two sons and two daughters. 



W. FERGUSON, who is the owner of more 
than eight hunilred acres of land in Van 
Buren County, his home being in Des Moines 
Township, was born iu Beaver County, Pa., in 
183.5, being the second child in the family of 
John and Nancy (Adams) Ferguson, who were the 
parents of three children. His father was also born 
in the Keystone State and was of Scotch descent, 
the family having been founded in Pennsylvania 
by Scotch emigrants at an early day. He engaged 
in merchandising in his native State and his death 
occurred in 1886, having survived his wife for two 
years. Her jieople were of English extraction. 
In the schools of Pennsylvania, D. W. Ferguson 



acquainted himself with the common branches, but 
completed his education in Poland, Ohio. After 
leaving school, he engaged iu driving stock fn/in 
Western Pennsylvania to Philadelphia, and also 
drove horses from that State to Illinois, at one time 
being twenty-eight days upon the road, lie fol- 
lowed the life of a drover for several years and 
then located, in 18o4, near where now is situated 
the city of Aledo, in Mercer County, III. He saw 
that town platted and after a few years' residence 
in its vicinity resumed his westward journey. Cross- 
ing the Mississippi River, he made a location in 
Des Moines Township, Van Buren County, Iowa, 
where he developed a farm, that still continues to 
be his home. He first purchased two hundred 
and forty acres of wild laud, but after be had 
placed it under cultivation he made additional pur- 
chases from time to time until he owned nearly 
nine hundred acres, all situated. in Des Moines 
Township, with the exception of two hundred 
acres lying in Vernon Township. The cause of 
his splendid success in business life may be attrib- 
uted to his enterprising and progressive spirit. In 
connection with general farming, he engages ex- 
tensively in stock-raising, much of the land being 
devoted to pasturage, upon which may be found 
many head of thoroughbred Durham cattle. 

In this county, in 1858, Mr. Ferguson was 
united in marriage with Miss Sarah N. Alcorn, a 
native of Pennsylvania and a daughter of Alex- 
ander and Mary (Phillips) Alcorn. Her parents 
were born in Ireland, but in early life they left 
their native land and settled in Pennsylvania. Mr. 
Alcorn became an inlluenlial citizen of the commu- 
nity where he resided, and w.as commissioned Ma- 
jor of the State Militia in 1824. In November. 
1856. he brought his family to Van Buren County, 
Iowa, and settled upon an improved farm in Ver- 
non Township, where he resided until his death, 
in 1863. His wife survived him until 1881. when 
she too passed away. 

Mr. and Mrs. Ferguson began their domestic life 
upon his farm in Des .Moines Township, and to- 
gether they traveled life's journey for thirty-one 
years, sharing with each other its joys and sor- 
rows, its .adversity and prosperity, but in Decem- 
ber, 1889. the loved wife was called to her final 



ClC 



I'oiirHAri AND iu<>';i{\riii( Ai- albim. 



i,-!. riirw children were horn of llieir luarringo 

J,,hii Adniiis. who marrieil Aurelia IJ. Lnvtoii in 

1.S8G; Isiibelln, n<iw Mrs. I'.iwcr. <.f CViitfrvilk-, 
Iowa: an«l Alex Phillips, who (iietl in IMCi. ag(<l 
oni' vpnr and four months. The mother was a 
fonsistpnt memln'r of tlit- Methndist Clinrfh. of ' 
Mt. Slerlinj;. to whiih Mr. Forjiuson nntl his son 
and daiighter-in-law .-ilso Iteloii}!. 

On the ort;aniz!ilioM of the l{c|uililican p.'irty. 
Mr. Ferjiu.-ion «ns <ini' of the lirsl to e.spoust' its 
cansc. and contiiineil an ardent snp|)orter of its | 
prinripU's for a niinilier of years, liut sinco 1H70 
he Ins licen a standi I'rohiliilionist. To the cause 
of temperance he ever gave his support, and bo- 
lievinir that the li(|uor tralllc can fiidy be abolished 
by legislation, he supports tlml p:iily wliicli repre- 
sents his views. 



e=T=3 



•^^-- 



=1^ 



"r-l-i 



ENRY ('. CALDWKLL was born in Mar- 
shall County. \V. Va.. on September 4. 
l'H.'i2. lie was the son of ^'an and Susan 
(@l Caldwell. On his father's side he is of 
Scotch (trigin, the laniily having originated at the 
Cold Wells in Scotland, and on his mother's side 
he is descended fronj Irish stock. His umtornal 
>;inndfather was an Irishman by birth, became a 
.Mi'ihoili^tt minisl'-r. volunteered in the War of 
IMli. and died in the service. His parents removed 
from West Virginia to Iowa in I8.'!G, where he was 
educated in the private and common schools of 
that day. He be>;an the study of law in the 
law olMce of Wright A Knapp, at Kcosauqua, I<jwa, 
at the iijje of seventeen, was admitted to practice 
in his twentieth year, and shortly thereafter be- 
came a junior member of that lirm. Ilo at once 
enga<{eil in active practice, anil was soon recog- 
nized as one of the most successful lawyers of his 
age in the State. In 1H5G, he was elected Prosecu- 
ting Attorney for his district, and in 1S58 was 
elected to the Legislature, and for two sessions was 
Chairman of the .ludiciary Committee of the House. 
In IHCl, he was commissioned Major in the Third 



Iowa Cavalry, and was promoted successively to be 
Lieutenant-Colonel and Colonel of that regiment. 
Gen. Hussey, Assistant .Secretary of the Interior, 
.ludge Caldwell and (Jen. Noble. Secretary of the 
Interior, were successively iind in the order named 
Colonels of that regiment. He was an efficient 
otiicor. (Jen. Davison, in his Otlicial Report on the 
occasion of the capture of Little R n'k. says: 
••Lieut-Col. Caldwell, whose untiring devotion and 
energy never Mags, during night or day, deserves 
for his gallantry and varied accomplishments as a 
cavalr}' olHcer, promotion to the rank of a general 
ollicer." 

Ill .Iiiiie. I 804, our subject while serving with iiis 
regiment. President Lincoln a[ipuinted hini District 
.liidge of the Inited States for the district of Ark- 
ansas. The I'niled States courts were opened in 
Arkaiis."j9 in 18G;'), .'ind iininediately the docket was 
crowded with business. From that time to the pres- 
ent. Judge Caldwell has continued to hold the 
Federal Court in this district, and has occasionally 
held court in districts in other States. 

.Judge Caldwell is a self-made man. and pos- 
sesses a vigorous gr.isp of intellect and a strong 
sense of justice, and though no( a classical scholar, 
is a master of terse English. The force and clear- 
ness of his opinions have attracted the attention 
of the bench and bar of the country, and some of 
them have become leading authority on the sub- 
jects to which they relate. His administration of 
justice has been characterized by ability, honesty 
and impartiality, and it is probable that there is 
not a judge in the I'ni'ed States who enjoys in a 
higher degree the confidence and esteem of the bar 
of his court, which numbers among its members 
lawyers as eminent as any in the country. 

On .March 4. 18'JO. Judge Caldwell was appointed 
United States Circuit .ludge. for the Kightli Circuit. 
As a member of the Arkansas State 15ar Associa- 
tion, and otherwise. Judge Caldwell has partici- 
pated actively in the amendment and improvement 
of the laws of that State. His address on the "In- 
security of titles to real property" led to impor- 
tant legislation on that subject, and his address on 
the '•Anaconila i\Iortg.-»ge S\^stem" prevailing in 
that State attracted wide attention and caused an 
amendment of the law and contributed largely to 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUIVf. 



617 



foster the spirit that led to the establishment of 
co-operative stores by the "wheel" orifanizatioiis of 
that .State. He w.as active in procuring the eiiaet- 
nieiit of the law which secures to married women 
the absolute ownership and cnjoNmcnt of their 
separate property, free from the control of their 
husbands or the claims of their creditors. He 
aided in the establishment of the present system of 
laws in Arkansas regulating the liquor traffic, and 
which is esteemed by many as tlie best code on that 
subject in the countr}-. It w.as largely due to his 
influence that tlie act was passed making the debts 
and liabilities incurred in the operation of rall- 
roarls liens on the road, paramount to the liens of 
mortgages on the road. Jvidge Caldwell is a poor 
man and utterly indifferent to the acquisition of 
proi)erty or money be3'ond a sum suflicient to de- 
fray the current expenses of his family, who live 
iilainlv. 



-^^ 



]AME.S H. .JORDON, the pioneer Indian 
tiader, who for many years did business 
within the present lijiiits of Van ISuren 
County, was boru in Mercer County, Ky., 
.September 29, 1806. His paternal great-grand- 
father emigrated from Virginia to Kentucky with 
ills family, where Peter, the father of our subject, 
was born. Both the father and grandfather served 
in the War of 1812. and the former rose to the 
rank of (General. In the Keystone Slate Gen. 
.loidon married .Sallie Baker, a native of that 
State, and unto them were born six children, but 
only two are now living — Mrs. Nancy Wheat, of 
Kentucky; and James II. 

Our subject received good educational advan- 
tages for that early day. In addition to attending 
the district schools, he pursued his studies in Frank- 
fort and Lexington. When only sixteen years of 
age lie pushed his vvay westward. In September, 
1 882, he left home, making the journey on horseback, 
crossed the Ohio at Louisville, and passing through 
Vincennes, Ind.. continued on his way to St. Louis 
which was then but a village. Having spent most 



of the winter In Palmyra, Mo., which was then the 
outpost of civilization, he came ;into the Indian 
country, and fiom that time uulil 183,), when he 
made a permanent settlement near lowaville. he fol- 
lowed trading with the red men. having trading- 
posts in Farmingt(jn, Bonaparte, Kilbourn and 
Doud's Station, in \'an Buren County, besides 
many others elsewhere. A trading-post consisted 
of a log house, which the Indians built for iiim 
or he rented, at a pl.ace agreed upon to ni-et and 
trade. At these places the nation would come fin 
viasse to receive their supi)lies. A large circle 
would be formed around the goods and three of the 
vv-ise men were sent in to sec they h.id full measure. 
For every yard of cloth measured off one of the so- 
lons would drop a hazel stick, and for a half yard 
would break one in tvro. When the count was de- 
cided correct a familj' came within the circle and 
was fitted out from top to bottom, ribbons and all. 
This W!is charged to the nation to come out of their 
annuity. Private debts were contracted to l>e paid 
for in furs, but if any failed to meet his obligations 
they were paid by the nations. 

Mr. Jordon traded with the Sauk, Fox, Winne- 
bago, Pottawatomie and some with the Sioux Na- 
tion. Black Hawk was a Sauk (Miicf. When the Black 
Hawk War broke out Mr. .lordon was ordered out 
of the Territory to report at Palmyra, Mo., where 
he enlisted in a regiment whose dul}' it was to 
guard baggage wagons and haul settlers, who had 
located out some twenty or thirty miles, back to 
the town for safety. After the war he again re- 
sumed the trade, which he continued until 1840, 
doing a yearly business of about *50,0()0. Mr. 
Jordon was acquainted with a number of the great 
chiefs and a warm friendship sprang up between 
him and Black Hawk, who, about 1837, made his 
home within four rods of Jlr. Jordon 's house. 
They ran loot races, hunted and associated together 
and nothing ever marred their friendly relations. 
At his dying hour Black Hawk gave Mr. Jordon a 
sword and a bowie knife as tokens of esteem. The 
sword is now the property of Arthur Hinklc, a 
grandson of Mr. Jordon's. The Indians and the 
traders, for that matter, never washed their 
clothes. On one occasion our subject was going to 
i Burlington, and in honor of the event he thought 



liift 



I'UUTlCAir ANU IJUJIiUArillCAL ALliL M. 



to wear sonio newly- wnslicd clotliinp. An Indiiui 
fquaw w!i!>lifil two ^slllts of nntUrwmr for him find 
in llio o|MT!»lion nscd u|i n l)ox of soap. When 
Asked liow nini'h she fharf,'»Ml, she replied -sower- 
k>>t. " hiird to wiiah. She njinted ^.W in money, n 
l.lnnkeV each f(<r herself and husband, a One sbirt.len 
or twelve dollars worth of calico, a shawl, blankets 
and el'ilhes for her ehildren. 

Beeoniing fully convinced that a go-jd wife is 
worth her weight in g<M. Mr. .lonlou. November 
27, !«:$«, near Bonaparte, Iowa, married Miss 
Frances .M. Williams, a native of Woodford County. 
Ky.. born .lune 22. I HI 7. When young she emi- 
;;rated witli her parents to Columbia. Mo., and 
while in llonaparte on a visit she became the wife 
of .Mr. .lortlon. They had three children, but all 
are now deceased — Henry ('.; Siirab F., wife of 
(apt. A. Ilinkle. and \'iclor 1'. The mother died 
October I I. 1X«7. 

Politically. Mr. .lordon wtis a Whig in early life, 
but since has been an ultra Democrat. Though 
ei;;hiy-four years of age. he is (juilc active and his 
hair is liji,htly loiiched with gr.ay. lie is the only 
living specimen of those hardy rugged characters 
that first set foot on Iowa soil. 



^^ 




AMIKL r. HOWI.A.M) is nunibere.l 
among the early settlers of Iowa, lie lo- 
cated in Davis Conuly, in ittl.'i, three 
years before the land sal'js and is now liv- 
ing in Miliim. lie was liorn in .Sussex Countj'. 
Mil.. Sepleniber 2, I.'^IK, and is a son of .lohn and 
Deborah (O'Conner) Kowland. The days of his 
boyhood and youth were spent in the usual nmn- 
ntr of farmer Inils. and after attaining to mature 
years he was united in marriage witii Miss Eliza- 
beth Hussell. the wedding being celebrated on the 
l.sth of February. 1M|((. The lady was born in 
Sussex County. February 22. l.si.T. and is a 
daughter of Thomas and Mary (liarr) Kussell. 
The following children were born unto them: 
John W.,who died at the age of twenty -one yeai>: 



Deborn. now Mrs. I'rice, of .lackson Township; 
Robert R. ; Mary; Ilatinnh. who died at the age of 
eight years; and ,lonatlian D. 

It was in 1845 that Mr. Rowland. accom|)auied 
by his family started Westward. He crossed the 
Mississi|)pi into Iowa, and un the 29tb of April lo- 
cated in Davis County, making his home near the 
boundary line of \'aii Huren County. lie owned 
land in both counties and engaged actively in 
farming until lfH74. when he removed to Milton. 
He still owns his farm, three huixlred acres of rich 
land p.aying tribute to his care and cultivation, lie 
attends the Methodist Clnirch and in politics is a 
stanch supporter of Democratic principles. 



-I-M^^ 



rp^ W. ROCKWELL, who with his brother. 
Ed IL. owns and edits the Farmington 

Ili-rald. is a native of I'leasant Mills. Ind.. 

born .March 15, I8()l. With his parents became 
to Iowa, and in Harrison County, where the family 
located, be acquired his education, attending the 
public schools of Little Sioux. Almost his entire 
life has been devoted to journalism. At the age 
of fifteen he began to learn the printer's trade, and 
two years later he trod the rough and thoruj* path 
of a pedagogue. Before he iiad reached bis ma- 
jority he w.as editor and pubiisiierof the La Hnrpe. 
111., Sun. and subsequently of ihe Dallas Spirit ; 
also was for son.e time connected with the Burling- 
ton JIairki';/e as telegraph editor, and later became 
manager of the mechanical department of the same. 
In 1886 he established the IJornhl. and the follow- 
ing year was joineil by his brother, Ed. II. .Several 
efforts bad been made to carry on a paper at 
Farmington. but so often had the project failed 
that the pet)ple were afraid to subscribe for a whole 
year; many would only take the paper for a quarter, 
so as not to lose so much if it went down. Such 
was the character of the Ilrrahl and such its man- 
agement, that it soon gained the favor of the peo- 
ple .'inil was placed on a soimkI financial basis. The 
Rockwell brothers deserve no little credit for the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



619 



masterly way in which they have worked up the 
enterprise, giving to their subscribers one of the 
best journals in tiie country. The paper is flevoterl 
largely to local interests and deals but little in 
politics. However, in May, 1890, they started the 
BacUcal Jeffersonian Democrat, which shoots the 
grape and canister of the old line Democracy re- ' 
gardless of whom it hits. These gentlemen are I 
also interested in the Farmington Music Company 
and other business enterprises. 

In 1883 F. W. Rockwell was united in marriage 
with Clara A. Madison, a lineal descendant of the 
President. She is a native of Dallas City, 111., and 
they have two children — G. Idylmarch and an in- 
fant. Mr. Rockwell is a gentleman of considerable 
literary taste and ability, and has won a i)lace 
among the local poets. 



^ ,T. % 



[>,EV. JOHN McCRARY. deceased, is num- 
bered among the early comers of Van Buren 
Count}', but died the same'year of his arrival 
i^in the community. He was a son of James 
and Isabel G. McCrary and was born about the 
vear 1770, in Iradell County, N. C. Having at- 
tained to man's estate, in 1793 he was united in 
marriage with Ruth Wasson, and they began their 
domestic life in the State of his nativity but on ac- 
count of the institution of slavery they removed to 
Tenness<'e where thej- made their home until 1810. 
That 3'ear witnessed their settlement in Indiana, 
where they spent a quarter of a century. In 1835, 
they removed to McDonough County, 111., but after 
a year continued on their westward journey to 
what is now Van Buren County, Iowa, but only a 
short time had been spent by Mr. McCrary in that 
community when he was called to his final rest. 

LTnto this worthy couple was born a family of 
eight children, four sons and four daughters, viz: 
Polly, James, Lucinda, Rebecca, Miner, Minerva, 
Abner H., and John C. whose sketch ai)po.ars on 
another page of this work. 

Mr. McCrary was reared in the faith of the Pres- 



byterian Church and maintained his connection 
with the same until about the year 1800, when his 
views having changed he severed his connection 
with that denomination and became a member of 
the Ciiristiau Church. He was one of tlie sturdy 
and honored pioneers of Indiana and was the or- 
ganizer of a number of churches in the vicinity of 
his home. Living in a day when the slavery ques- 
tion was the most important issue to engage the 
attention of the people, he took strong grounds 
against the institution, especially its introduction 
into northern territ(iry. Believing it to he 3 sin 
he did not hesitate to express his views in regard 
to it and in the division of the church occasioned 
by the opposing views of the members on that sub- 
ject, he took his stand with those who believed 
that "all men are created equal and that they are 
endowed with certain inalienable rights, snnong 
which are life, liberty and the pursuit of liappi- 
ness." On the temperance question he was no less 
outspoken, urging upon the people the necessity of 
abstaining from the use of alcoholic drinks. After 
living a true Christian life during a half century, 
the greater part of wliicli time he was engaged in 
the self-sacrificing labors of a pioneer minister of 
the Gospel, this good man passed to his heavenlj' 
reward. His wife was his aljle aiUl faithful assis- 
tant in his work and the promises concernitig the 
future life were dear unto her as unto him. 



-j^JSf,.^-^. 




r-^tr^ 



.^ ONTEREY HOSKIX, residing in Des 
Moines Townshi|i, \'an Buren County, has 
spent his entire life in this county, where 
he was born in 1818, being the ninth child 
of Neri and Rebecca (Dill) Hoskin, whose family 
numbered twelve children. They were born, reared 
and married in Ohio, and al)out 1837 came to the 
Territory of Iowa, locating in Des Moines Town- 
ship, where Mr. Hoskin entered land and with the 
aid of his sons transformed it into a good farm. He 
took quite an active part in politics during the 
early history of the county and was a valued citi- 



r.-.>o 



I'OIiriMlI AND lUoClLMMlK AI. AI.IUM. 



Zfii who won tlif rf-iiifoi <>1 -HI "iiM "Miiiii 11. . .line 
ill conl«i-t. He loiiliniii-fl his rfsiilenco upon the 
oM homri>lva(1 nnlil ciilU-il to his flniil resl in 1870. 
Ill-, wife hiul |>iisscii away many years previons, 
ilvinff when our siil>j»?tt was an infant. The chil- 
dren of Uuy family arc. ll.irris, who is married and 
resides in Des .Moines Townsliip: Oraer, who is 
mnrrii-il and iivin;; in .Montana; .Ias|KT and Ncri 
are hoth murried and live in Des Moines Township; 
Inez dicil in l«7.'>: Mary Ann is now Mr;. Hoherls, 
of Jnekson Township: Hhoda is now Mrs. Gihle- 
man. of Davis Coiiiily. Iowa; .Martha is also a Mrs. 
Kolierts. 

The snlijeel of this 8ket*.-ii was reared lo farm 
life under the parental roof and spent his lioyhood 
days in assisting in the cultivation of the home 
farm and in atlemliiig the district schools, where lie 
aequii'AI his education. At the ati<i of eiuhteen 
years he liejjnn life for himself and tlie occupation 
lo wiiich he was reared he has since followed in 
pursuit of fortune, lie was married in Van IJuren 
County, in IH70. to Miss Keliecca Tackahary, a na- 
tive of this county, and a dauf,diler of Foster and 
Ann (.Swilzer) Tackahary. who were natives of 
Ireland, but emi;,nated to this country an<l settled 
in \ i\u lliiren County, Iowa, in the early part of 
the 'iiOs. The fattier died in D.avis County, Iowa, 
in 1S8.">. and her mother is still liviii<f in that 
county. 

.Mr. and .Mrs. Iloskin, after their marriage, set- 
tled upon a part of the old farm where has been 
horn unto them a family of four children: Anna, 
Inez, Fossy and Arthur. In 1K7H, Mr. Iloskin pur- 
chased a partially improved farm of one hiunlred 
and eighty acres, to which he has since added a 
forty-acre tract, making in all two hundred and 
twenty acres which yield to him a ijolden triliuto 
for his care and cultivation. A portion of this is 
highly improved and the remain<lcr is devoted to 
pasturaffe, he enga;;ing lo :i considerahle extent in 
stock-raising. Mr. Iloskin is a member of the 
Aiili' Ilor.te Thief Association and in politics he is 
a stalwart supporter of the Republican party. lie 
has served ns Township Tru.-%lee and also upon the 
School Hoard, during which time he diil effective 
service ft)r tlie cause of education, in which he is 
deeply interested. lie is nuinbereil among the 



pioiii-ii s. iilcis of Van Burcn County, and has 
witnessed the greater part of its growth and prog- 
ress. His ineiniiry goes back to the time when 
Alexandria. Mo., was their nearest market but now 
he can supply all his wants in the line of merchan- 
dise within three miles of his home. Hi.« fellow 
townsmen regard him as one of the thrifty and en- 
terprising citizens of the community for he has 
always displayed a laudable interest in public af- 
fairs and done what he could for the promotion of 
all objec's calculated lo advance the general 
welfare. 



PSAIAIl IirMlJKRT. oneof the most subsUn- 
I' tial fanners of Van Biiren County, now a resi- 
'1^ dent of Milton, claims rennsylvania as the 
.State of his nativity. He was born in Fayette 
County, March 29, IH19. and is the son of Jacob 
and Mary (.lames) Humbert, wlio were also natives 
of the Keystone State, but tlie former was of Ger- 
man birth and the latter of Irish descent. 

lsai:ih I liiinbert, whose name heads this notice, 
spent the days of his boyhood and youth in the 
usual manner of farmer lads and received a com- 
mon school educati(.)n. Having attained to mature 
years, he was married in riiionlown of his native 
county, December 22, 1841, to Miss Mary Shonf, 
daughter of .lames .Shoaf. and a native of Fayette 
County. l':i., liorii in Lsiil, of Clerinan lineage. 
Seven cliihlien graced their union, four sons and 
three dsiughlers. but only two si>ns and one daugh- 
ter are now living. The record of the family is as 
follows : William IJreckenriclge, the eldest was 
born September 18, 1812. and dieil .lanuary II. 
1852 ; Kllis Bailey, born March 11. 184 1, married 
Annie Tatinan ami resides on a part of the old 
home farm in Van Huren County; I'eler. born 
May 10, 1 81G, married Catherine Hhoacls and is 
living on the old homestead ; Serena Ann, born 
Marcli .'i, 18-18 became the wife of .lolin Klioads 
and died March 7. I.s73 ; Isaiiih was born .May 7. 
1851, and died .liily 111. 18G7,!it the age of sixteen 
years ; Mary Elizabeth who was born March 20, 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



1853, (lied on the 12tli of Felmiaiy. 1863; Martha 
Belle is the wife of Thomas Cooley of Jackson 
Township. The four oldest chihlren were born in 
Pennsylvania and the younger members of the 
family in A'an Buren County. 

Mr. Humbert was engaged in farming in his 
native State until the spring of 1850, when believ- 
ing he might better his financial condition, he 
started Westward, accompanied bj' his family. The 
new State of Iowa w.is his destination and he settled 
near Bonaparte, Van Buren County, on a farm. 
to the cultivation of which in connection with 
stock-raising, he devoted his time and attention 
until 1861, when he removed to Jackson Township 
of the same county and purchased a fine jirairie 
farm situated about four and a iialf lailes soutli of 
Milton, fie is now the owner of five hundred and 
ten acres of well improved prairie land, including 
bis original purchase, in Jackson Township, which 
he leases from year to year. He continued to per- 
sonallj' operate his farm until the s|)ring of 1889, 
"When lie removed to Milton and purchased his 
present residence, since which time he has jjractic- 
ally laid aside all business cares. 

In politics Mr. Humbert is a Republican and has 
voted with that .party since its organization, feeling 
a dee)) interest in its success. He and his excellent 
wife are consistent members of the Methodist 
Church, as are his daughters. Mr. Humbert has 
lived an active and useful life, well wortii}- of em- 
ulation. In his habits he is frugal and temperate 
and he has. by patient industry and judicious man- 
agement succeeded in acquiring a large and valua- 
ble properly. 



621 






<« IITLLIAM N. CHIDESTER follows farming 
\rJ// and stock-raising on section ii, Polk Town- 
^^ ship. He is a valued citizen of Jefferson 
County, where for a quarter of a century he has 
made his home. Public spirited and progressive, 
he is ever ready to aid in the ailvancement of the 



county's best interests and lias identified himself 
with many of its leading enterprises. 

We liave no records concerning the early history 
of the Chidesler family but know that it w.as founded 
in America during Colonial day.s and that the pa- 
ternal grandparents of our subject. William and 
Lydia (Dean) Chidester, were natives of Connec- 
ticut, lie served in the Revolutionary War and 
in 1798, accompanied by his family emigrated to 
Mahoning C(ninty, Ohio, where in the midst of the 
forest, he developed a farm, being the first settler 
of that county. Both he and his wife spent their 
last days in the Buckeye State where they died 
many years ago. One of their children, Erastiis 
Chidester, who was born in Connecticut, accompa- 
nied them on their emigration to Ohio, in 1798, 
and in that State having attained to mature years, 
wedded Miss Lydia Sackett, daughter of Benjamin 
and BetS}^ (Carter) Sackett, who were also natives 
of Connecticut, the former born of Welsh descent, 
while the latter was of Dutch lineage. Mr. Sack- 
ett also served in the War for Independence as a 
valued soldier of the Colonial Army. After the 
marriage of Mr. and Jlrs. Chidester, they settled 
in Ohio, where they continued to make their home 
until 1862, when they removed to Mercer County. 
111. With the blood of Kovolutionary heroes flow- 
ing in his veins, he was inspired by patriotic im- 
pulses to enlist in the War of 1812, in which he 
did good service for his country. He was out- 
spoken and fearless in expressing his views on the 
slavery question and took an active part in the 
formation of the Abolition part}' in Ohio. He 
did not live to see the day when the curse had been 
driven from the land, for in 1864 he w,is called to 
his final rest. The following year his widow came 
to Jefferson County, Iowa, where she made her 
lK)mc until her death in 1872. The following 
were members of their family — Clark, their eldest 
child, came to Jefferson County, Iowa, in 1865, 
and died in 1882; Caroline is now Mrs. Reeder, of 
Carroll County, Iowa; Julius is married and re- 
sides in Erie, Pa. 

William N. Chidester, another member of the 
family and the subject of this sketch, was born in 
Mahoning County. Ohio, in 1834. and in his native 
St;ite was reared to farm life. He acquired such 



r,'-l 



p()iMi;\ri AND i;i()<:i;aimiical Ai.m'M. 



»'<lii(:ilii>ii:ii ml v:mUlJ,'^■^i .■i> wen' ullmiiiil >'\ Inc 
subscription scIumjIs of thai il.-iy l)iit his opportii- 
niiies were very limited as t-ornparetl with the priv- 
ileges now extemled to the youllis of this land. 
He lie;;an life for himsi If in l«.jj, wi.en having at- 
Uiiiied to mature years, he left home and removed 
t4> Merier County. III., where he was employed at 
farm Inhor for some lime, lie was in the employ 
of John Deere of Moline. the owner •! the exten- 
sive a-jrieulturnl implement factory of that eily. 
I ater he end>nrked in husinrss for himself and in 
1857, chose as a eonipiuiion and helpmate on life's 
journey Miss .Martha K. Titus, the union lieingcel- 
ehrateil in Knox County. 111. The lady waa born 
in liidi:ina.and is a daughter of ISeiijfimin and Lucre- 
lia (l.ongly ) Titus, the former a native of Pennsyl- 
vania, the latter of Kentucky. Their marriage 
WMS celebrated in Indiana, and in IH,')4, they emi- 
grated to Knox County, III., settling upon a farm 
which continued to be their home until 18(i5. That 
year wiines8e<l their removal to Kansas and a few 
3'ears later they came to .lefTcrson County, Iowa to 
spend their dfcliniiig years at the home of our sub- 
ject and his worthy wife,where they were surrounded 
by all the care and comfort which loving hearts 
could devise. Mr. Titus died in IS7G and liis wife 
passed away in February, \W.K 

.Mr. an(i Mrs. Chidesler began their <lomestic 
life upon a farm in Mercer County, 111., where for 
some eight years they made their home, airiving in 
Jefferson County, in ISU.'j. Here he purcliaseil 
one hundred and sixty acres of raw prairie land on 
section 24, I'olk Tow nship, which he at once began 
to <levelop. He has nf)w a Tine farm, the value of 
which has been greatly enhanced by the erection of 
a tasty dwelling and good barns and by a finely 
cultivated grove of thirteen acres. Hesides gener- 
al farming, he raises a good grade of carriage and 
road horses ami also makes a specially of fiiiit 
growing, in which he has met wilh a reasonable de- 
gree of success. Mr. Chidesler is a man of iiood 

f ■ 

business ability, energetic and industrious and dc 
serves no lillle credit for his prosperous career, his 
success being due to his own efforts and the 
assistance of his estiniable wife, vet he has not al- 
lowed business cares to detr.net his attention from 
other duties. As before staled, he gives his hearty 



^ii|i|«>rl and iu-i.peralii>n lu all worthy interests; 
he assisted in the organization of the school dis- 
trict and has served as Count}' Commissioner of 
Jefferson County. Socially, he is a member of 
Clinton I,o<lge. No. 104. A. F. A- A. M., McCord 
Chapter, K. .V. .M., and I'nity Lotlge, No. 02. V. A. 
S. (>( Faiifield. He and his wife hold membership 
in the Methodist Kpiscopal Church of Packwood. 
and are among its faithful workers, doing what 
they can for the advancement of the cause. 

I'our children have been born of the union of 
William N. Chidesler and Martha K. Titus. Car- 
rie, the elilest, is now Mrs. Harr, a resitlenlof Fair- 
field Township; Kva. now Mrs. Thom.is. is living in 
Hlack Hawk Township; Adda is a teacher of music 
in the Hedrick Normal Institute of lle'lrick. lown. 
and \'era is vet at home. 




KNMAMIN PENNINGTON, a harness- 
in:iker of Milton, \'an IJurcn County, anci 
one of the leading citizens of that place, was 
born in Kent County, Del., April 2.'), 182G, 
and isason of Benjamin and Ann (Wilson) Pen- 
nington. His father died when he was quite young 
and wilh his mother and step-father he removed 
to Franklin County, Ind., when a lad of nine years. 
He remained in that county until 1844. which year 
witnessed his arrival in Van Buren Count}', where 
the greater part of his life has since been passed. In 
the munth of January, 18.')2, he was united in mar- 
riage with Miss Elizabeth Cowger who was born in 
Rush County, Inrl., in 18211. They have five chil- 
dren, Iwo sons and three daughters — Wiiiiain 
(ieorge married Sarah .Stall and is living in Col- 
orado Springs, Col.; Tliom:is F. wedded M;irv 
Lavel and is living in Green Mountain Falls. Col.; 
Clara, is the wife of Michael O'Connell, of Slilton; 
Martha, is the wife of Frank Humpliiey. a jeweler 
of Milton; and Addieis at home. 

About 1854, Mr. Pennington removed to D.tvis 
County. Iowa, where he was engaged in fanning for 
almost a tjuarler of a century. He came to Milton in 



i 





to 
z 
o 
o 





to 

z 
o 
o 

z 

u 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



025 



1878 and turned his attention to other pursuits. He 
liad pre viou.sly learned tlie carpenter'.s trade and now 
devoted himself to that business until February, 
1884, when he purchased a harness shop, since 
whicli time harness making has been the means 
employed whereby to gain a livelihood. He is an 
expert workman as will be indicated by the fact 
that in the same year in which he embarked in bus- 
iness he made a set of harness which took the pre- 
mium at the f.air held that autumn. Since he beaan 
business in that line, Joseph Spencer has been as 
sociated with him in business as a partner. They 
liave the only harness shop in the city and have 
secured a flourishing trade, their liberal patronage 
yielding them a good income. Mr. Pennington is 
a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church; in 
political sentiment he is a supporter of tiie De- 
mocracy and socially, a member of Lone Star 
Lodge, No. 155, I. 0. O. F. of Milton. 



ILLP^N KOONS, who is living on section 26, 
Locust Grove Township, is au honored pio- 
neer of Jefferson County of more than half 
a century, dating his residence from the spring of 
1838. He is now in his declining years but though 
he should soon pass away, he will not be forgotten 
on account of the active part which he took in the 
upbuilding of the county and the promotion of her 
best interests. The record of his life is as follows: 
He was born in Henry Count}% Ind., in 1820, the 
fifth child in a family of nine children whose par- 
ents were John and Bridget (Nolan) Koons. His 
father was born in Asiie County, N. C, and there 
grew to manhood and was married and at an early 
day removed with his family to Indiana, where he 
made his home until the spring of 1838, when ac- 
companied by wife and children, he again started 
westward, his destination being what is now Jeffer- 
son County, Iowa. Here he continued to spend 
the remainder of his days and by the early settlers 
was held in high regard. He died in 1850, and 
Lis wife, who was a native of North Carolina, sur- 



vived him twenty-six years, |)assing away in 1876. 
Of their family of nine children only four are now 
living: Dillen, of this sketch; Nancy, now Mrs. 
McGuire, of Adair, Iowa; Rebecca, wife of Allen 
Ferguson, of Clark County, Mo.; and Henry, a 
stock-raiser of Wyoming Territory. 

Dillen Koons was educated in the schools of his 
native State and when a young man of eighteen 
years accompanied the family to Jefferson County, 
Iowa. Shortly after his arrival, he made a cluini 
of two hundred acres which was included within 
the new purchase. The land at that time had not 
been surveyed and not a house marked the site of 
the present thriving city of Fiiirfield. The nearest 
market was then at Keokuk, about seventj'-five 
miles distant, where he drove his hogs and cattle 
and hauled his grain. He assisted in raising the 
first frame house in Bonaparte and in many other 
ways has been identified with the early history of 
the county. Great indeed have been the changes 
which have taken place since that lime. Jefferson 
County, which was then very sp.irsel^^ settled, has 
now a greater population than almost the entire of 
Iowa contained in those early daj:s. The Indian 
wigwams might yet be seen along the banks of the 
rivers but the red men were friendly, giving little 
trouble except by occasional thefts. All kinds of 
wild game was plentiful and wolves often made the 
night hideous with their howling. The farming 
implements with which the land was developed were 
very crude as compared with the improved ma- 
chinery of today and the land was broken with 
oxen, yet notwithstanding these many disadvan- 
tages the pioneer often looks back with a sigr. of 
regret for it was in those d.iys that true hospitality 
existed, that friendship was not a mere name, when 
neighbors were willing to make sacrifices for each 
other and share with those less fortunate than them- 
selves anything which they might possess. 

Mr. Koons came to this county a single man but 
here became acquainted with the lady he desired to 
make his wife. In 1849, he was united in marriage 
with Miss Jemima Colwell, who was born in Indiana 
and was a daughter of D.xvid and Susan (Downey) 
Colwell. who are numbered among the pioneer set- 
tlers of Jefferson County. The family born of this 
union numbered eight children: George, who diet! 



620 



roiMHAIT ANL) BIOUKAI'HK \I. ALIllM. 



in iiifancv; DaNiii, n rcsidonl fiiniicr uf Phelps 
foil 11 ty. Neb. ; Sarah, wife of William Uitharilson. 
of ll()lilie>,'c. Neb. ; Allen, ft fniraer of Locust 
Grove Township; Susan, wife of Michncl Walker, 
of I'belps Counly, Neb.; Henry, a resiileul farmer 
of Locust Crove Township; .lohn, who is engaged 
in fanning in Wyoming; ami Ktta, deceased 

Mr. Kooiis participated in the organization of 
this county and was present at the first sale of lota 
in Fairtield. He enlisted for the Initecl Stales ser- 
vice during the late war but was rejected on account 
of liaving weak lungs. The cause of education 
has ever found in him a warm friend who manifests 
his interest in a substantial manner, he having given 
ail acre of land for the schoolhouse and helped to 
organize the school district. In politics he takes 
an active part but is not Ixiund by parly fetters, 
voting for the measure and the man regardless of- 
the party to whidi he belong*. The dealli of Mrs 
Koons occurred in 187."). She was a most estimable 
lady aiitl her loss wa.s deeply mourned by many 
friends outside of her immediate family. 



OIIN Willi IKN.ih'' present Deputy Treas- 
urer of the State of lowo. was born August 
4. lHl->. in Lick Creek Township. \'an 
f@i Buren County; his parents, Walter and Re- 
becca Whitten, having come to the county in 1840, 
from Scioto County, Ohio. In his youth he re- 
ceived the ordinary educational advantages of the 
pioneer schools of those days, and on July 1, 1861, 
allbough less than nineteen years of age, he en- 
listed in Company H, F'fth Iowa Infantry. He 
saw two years and six months of service in the 
field and wore the blue for over four years. He 
was with (ieii. Fremont during the Springfield. 
Mo., caiiipnign in the fall of 1861. participated in 
the siege of New Madrid, Mo., the battle at Island 
No. 10. mill thesii'guof Corinth, Miss., under Gen. 
lUUeck in the spring of 1862. In the battle of 
Iiikii, Miss., on the IKtli of September of that year 
In' WHS wntindcd. He toul; ynvt in tln' battle of 



CoririUi. .Miss., on the 3rd and 4th of October fol- 
lowing, was in the Yazoo Pass expedition under 
Gen. Sherman, the battles of Jaiikson and Cham- 
pion Hills. Miss., and the siege of Vii-ksburg. This 
was followed by the battle of Lookout Mountain and 
ill the engagement at Missionary Ridge on Novem- 
ber 2,jth. 18113, he was taken prisoner. We quote 
from a volume, "Iowa in War Times" written by 
S. II. M. I5yei-s, late .\djutant of the Fifth Iowa 
Infantry. In writing about the battles of Lookout 
Mountain and Missionary Ridge, he says: "The 
Fifth Iowa Infantry's loss, including quite a num- 
ber captured, was one hundred six officers and men, 
out of the twti luiMclred forty-eight engaged. Sev- 
eral ofHcers and the color guard were among those 
captured in the assault. The flag too, though torn 
nearly' to pieces, was lost. At the moment it was 
about to fall into the rebel hands, it was seized by 
some of those nearest it, its stars torn out and 
secreted about their persons. One of these stars 
was saved by .lohn Whitten, now Deputy State 
Treasurer. He was captured a few moments later 
and carried the star with him through mai.y horri- 
ble months of rebel imprisonment. That star, 
worthier than any star of the Order of the Garter 
framed and preserved, is in the Capitol at Des 
Moines. .Mr. Whitten was confined on Belle Isle, 
Va., for over three months and was then removed to 
Anderson ville, Ga., in the spring of 18C4, and 
there confined until April 17, 1865. Of eleven of 
his company confined at Andersonville, nine died 
from ill treatment and starvation, among which 
number was his brother, Josiah A., a young man 
full of promise of a useful life. Mr. Whitten was 
releasetl ten miles from .I.acksonville, Flu.. April 
28, 1865, and discharged from the service on the 
7th of .luly following, liaving for more than four 
years under one enlistment followed the fortunes 
of war. 

On returning from the army. Mr. Whitten took 
up farming but Lis health was so impaire<l that he 
had to abandon that labor and then attended the 
Iowa Agricultural College for two years. He was 
married on October 8. 1872, to Miss lilla L. Riie 
of Farmington, Iowa who is also a native of Van 
Huren County. He was elected to the office of 
County Auditor of Van Buren County in the fall 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



62; 



of 1879, and re-elected in 1881, serving two full 
terms. He received the appointment of Deputy 
Treasurer of the State, January 1, 1885, and iiis 
third term of two years each, will close in January, 
1891. Mr. Whitten is a member of Miles King 
Post, G. A. R. of Farmington; of Mt. Moriah 
Lodge, A. F. & A. M., and Kadosh Chapter, R. A. M. 
of Farmington ; also of El Chanan Commandery, 
K. T. of Keosauqua. 












RliER McKEE is the owner of a fine farm 
of four hundred acres, his home being sit- 
uated on section 34, Liberty Township, 
Jefferson Count}-. The record of his life is as fol- 
lows: He w.as born on the 8th of November, 
1827, in Washington County, Pa., his parents 
being Henry and Elizabeth (Duncan) McKee. The 
family is noted for its faithfulness to duty and its 
patriotism when the country was in danger. Will- 
iam McKee, the grandfather of our subject, was a 
member of the Colonial Army. Of Scotch-Irish 
birth, he grew to maniiood in his native land, 
graduated from one of the leading universities of 
Ireland, and attained considerable prominence, but 
for political reasons sought a home in America, 
bringing with him a fortune of ^10,000 in gold — a 
vast amount for those days, which, together witli 
his personal services, was sacrificed on the altar of 
his adopted country. In return he received worth- 
less Continental money, which practically had no 
value. Fortune was gone but the consciousness of 
having done bis duty remained and brought with it 
a peace and satisfaction which could not have been 
his bad he shirked the responsibilities resting upon 
him. In 1813, he removed to Fayette County, I'a., 
where he died. Other members of the family were 
also men of i)rominence and on the maternal side, 
in the Greer family were noted Presbyterian minis- 
ters and also one of the judges of the Supreme 
Court. During the War of 1812, Henry McKee, 
father of our subject, enlisted in the service in 
Mittliu, Pa. and became a recruiting officer. He 



continued in the service until peace was declared 
and participated in the battle of Plattsburg. He 
was a carpenter by trade, and a consistent member 
of the Presbyterian Cliurch. His death occurred at 
Columbus, Ohio, in 1854. 

Greer McKee has for a quarter of a century made 
his home in Jefferson County. He was born in 
Washington County, Pa., November 8, 1827, as 
above stated, and at the age of seventeen years re- 
moved from the Keystone State to Ohio, where he 
continued to make his home until his arrival in Iowa, 
lu early life Mr. MtKee learned the carpenter's 
trade with his father, at which he worked for many 
years. After his father's death he continued to 
carry on the business of contracting and building, 
in which he was extensively eng.iged up to the time 
of his enlistment. After coming to Iowa he car- 
ried on the same business for about five years since 
which time he has devoted his time and energies 
exclusively to farming. On March 1, I860, he 
wedded Miss Mary Tedrow, daughter of Goliah 
and Christina (Miller) Tedrow. In May, 1864 on 
the day on which their third child was born, he left 
home to enter the service of his country, feclin^liis 
duty to the government to be greater than all do- 
mestic ties, although it can be imagined that ihe 
sacrifice which he made in leaving was no small 
one. He became a member of ihe Ono Hundred 
and Fifty-Seventh Ohio Infantr}-, and during the 
one hundred days of his enlistment was detached 
as superintendent of car|)enter work at Ft. Dela- 
ware, llis services to his country were so valuable 
and so faithfully did he perform every task devolv- 
ing upon him that his General doubled his watH'S, 
saj'ing that he was worth ^500. 

Twelve children have been born of the union of 
Mr. and Mrs. McKee and with the exception of one 
who died in childhood, all are yet living — Flora 
Belle became thv wife of James F. Lawson, of Jef- 
ferson County; (Joliah T. is married and lives in 
Van Buren County; Mary Elizabeth, who was born 
on May 15, 1864, the day on which her father en- 
tered the service, is now the wife of Reuben John- 
son, of Cedar Rapids; William G., Ann Eliza. John 
and Rosetla are «t home; Ira is now deceased; 
Willis Craig, Ulysses Grant, Jennie May and N.,ra 
arc yet with their parents. Good educalioiial ad- 



628 



PORTRAIT AND UIOUUAl'llR AL ALBUM. 



vanta'^cs have been plnced before the cliil<lrcn Ihnt 
they may bo nileil for the |>iactie!il duties of lliis 
life ami three of the number have been students in 
the Birniinjfimm Academy. 

llif present farm »if Greer McKee, a-s bei>>i< 
staled. c<>n)|irises some four hundred aere.s of valu- 
able land. His first purehasc consisted of a one 
hundred and (ifty-nere tract but liy industry. |ier- 
(icveranre and ;;ood niana^'euient he was cn.nbled to 
extend its boundaries to it* present size. Collett, 
a postofllce 8iltiat<'d at the terminus of the Ft. 
.Madi:ion Narrow (iauge KaiiruHd, is located on this 
farm. .Mr. MtKce has been identified with all 
measuies for the progress and advancement of the 
conimutiity and has held many of the township 
offices of trust. For years he has been a teacher of 
the Bible classes of the I'resbyterian Churches in 
Birmin;;ham and Bethel and with his family has 
been one of the most prominent members and 
workers in that denomination. lie was made a 
.Mason in IHOI, and was an active member f<ir some 
years, but some years ago took his demit, and is 
not affiliated with any lodge at present. As every 
true American citizen should clo. he has given con- 
sideralde attention to the political questions of the 
day. He is a Republican in politics and his first 
Presidential vote was cast for (Jen. Scott, the Whig 
candidate in I8.'>2. Vn the organization of the 
Republican party he joined its ranks and has since 
sup|iortcd its principles. 



■^ 



) OUN lU'FF. with one exception, is the oldest 
settler of .lefTerson County, lie was born 
^ I in Montgomery, now Floyd County, Va.. 
\^J May 11, IKIl, ami is a son of .lohn and 
Klizabeth (I'ratl) llulT. His father w.as born in 
(Jri'cnbrier County, N'a., in 1770, and married a 
Miss Thompson, by whom he had four daughters. 
His second union was with Miss I'rall, a native of 
Bedford County, Va., and unto them were born 
seven children, four sons and three daughters. Mr. 
Huff was an expert micliauic and could manufai.'- 



ture almost everything fr»)m wood, but in his later 
years he gave'some attention to farming. In 1817. 
accompanieirbv his family, he removed to Floyd 
I . iiinty. Ky.. a-id while his boys engaged in the 
cultivation of the farm be continue*! his own line of 
business. Hc'was a .lackson Democrat and lived 
to the advanced age of nearly ninety-one years, his 
death oci urring in 18G1. The mother of .lohn died 
when he was a lad of sixteen years. 

Our subject was the eirlest child in the' family 
and in consequence had little advantages in his 
voulh. Moving to the mountainous part of (Ken- 
tucky, lie hail almost no chance to secure an educa- 
tion, having never attended school but three months 
in his life and then the school was of the most 
primitive character. In his youth he learned the 
cooper's trade and at the age of seventeen! years 
begun life for himself. Attracted by the oppor- 
tunities and advant.ages of the West, in 18:il he ac- 
companied Mason Cope to Schuyler County, 111., 
and four years later made a trip up Skunk River 
and camped on .lefferson County soil. Having 
collected about two thousand pounds of honey, 
beeswa.x, etc., he improvised a boat by digging out 
two canoes and fastening them together. Having 
floated down the river as far as Rome, he struck a 
snag and twirled upside down. This was in the 
month of November. During the struggle to save 
his lioat from floating away he kicked off his shoes 
an<l had to walk to Burlington, a distance of fifty 
miles, bare-footed. There he had some hooks 
made, and returning, grappled his barrels of lK)ne3', 
wax, gum. etc., out of thirteen feet of water and 
proceeded with his cargo to Carth.ige, where he 
sold out. 

On March .'5, 183C). .Mr. Huff was united in mar- 
riage with Sarah Woodard, who was horn .Inly 0, 
1811, in .Middle Tennessee. Her mother was also 
a native of liial Slate but her father came from 
North Carolina. Soon after his marriage, Mr. 
Huff reliirncil to Iowa and made a settlement on 
section 1, Cedar Township, .lefferson County, the 
date of his arrival being ,111110 17, 18:!0. The land 
soon afterward came into market ami as ho had not 
money enough to enter it, he sold his throe hun- 
dred and twenty acre claim which brought him 
in enough to pay his debts and enter a one hiiiidrcd 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



629 



and twenty-acie ti-nct. Afterward, having sold that 
farm, he bouglit a farm of two hundred and forty 
acres in Buchanan Township, which he improved 
and on which he made his home until 1874, when 
he took up his residence in Fairfield. 

In 1871, Mr. Huff was called upon to mourn the 
loss of bis wife who died on December 3. They 
were parents of eight children — James D. ; William ; 
Nancy, deceased ; Henry; Rebecca, deceased ; Jeffer- 
son; Sarah, wife of George Mower; and Louisa. 
James D. and Jefferson are also married. In politi- 
cal sentiment Mr. Huff is a Democrat, having sup- 
ported that party since he cast his first vote for 
Jackson in 1832. 



^> HARLES McDonald, deceased, is num- 
1 hered among the pioneer settlers of Van 

^/' Buren County, and at his death, which oc- 
curred in 1877, much sorrow was felt, for the com- 
munity lost a good citizen, his neighbors a kind 
frientl, and his family a loving husband and father. 
He was born in the Noriii of Ireland, in 1813, but 
the family is of Scotch origin. When he was a 
mere child his father died, and in 1818, with the 
other members of the family, he was brought by 
liis mother to tiiis country, they taking up their 
residence in Phil.adelphia, Pa. He there acquired 
a limited education, and when a young man learned 
the trade of a i)lasterer. He was married in Phila- 
delphia, Pa., to Martiia McGarve_y. and shortly 
afterward emigrated to La Grange, Mo., where he 
followed his trade for some years. His next place 
of residence was in Quincj', 111., after which he 
made a settlement in Ft. Madison, Iowa, and in 
1847 purchased land in Van Buren County, and 
here removed in order to rear his family upon a 
farm. Mr. McDonald came to the West in limited 
circumstances, and not onlj' overcame the hard- 
siiips and difficulties of pioneer life, but surmounted 
all obstacles which impeded his progress toward 
the goal of prosijcrity. He performed the not 
easy t.isk of developing from the wild laud a rii h 



and fertile farm, and at the same time carried on 
his trade of plastering. He had no leisure time in 
those days, but gave his attention solely to his 
business, that he might provide for the vyants of 
his family and surround them with all the comforts 
l)ossibIe. 

Into Mr. and Mrs. McDonald were born ten 
children, of whom the following lived to adult age: 
M.iggie. wife of James Dick, a prominent farmer 
of Lee County, Iowa; Mattie. at homf.; Ella, wife 
of Charles E. Ran, of Mason City, Iowa; Aichi- 
bald, a resident of Bonaparte; Col well, a farmer of 
Harrisburg Township; Charles W.. who makes his 
home in Council Bluffs; and Robert, who is also 
living in Harrisburg Township. Helen died at the 
age of nineteen; the other two members of the 
family died in childhood. 

In politics Mr. McDonald was a stanch Demo- 
crat, was well posted in political affairs, and could 
always hold his own in an argument, but never 
sought public office for himself. He was a man of 
more than average ability, was well informed con- 
cerning all questions of general import, and was 
familiar with many of our standard authors. He 
was especially fond of reading Burns, and could 
quote page after pr.ge of his writings. In his views, 
ho was charitable; in his dealings, upright and 
honorable, and his word was as good as bis bond. 
He died at his home in this county in 1877, re- 
spected by all who knew him. His wife, who was 
a most estimable Lady, and the equal of her hus- 
band in literary aHainmenls, also has man^- warm 
friends. 



^-^^^i^H^tj^^ 



AMUEL P. ROWLAND is the owner of 
a fine farm of four hundred acres lying 
partly within Davis and partly within Van 
Buren County, his old homestead being 
situated just acro.ss the border line in the former 
county. This gentleman, who is widely and favor- 
ably known throughout the community, is a na- 
tive of Delaware, born on the 4th of September, 
1810. His parents, John and Deborah (Connell) 




C30 



roIMKAIT AND HIOr.RAl'lIK A L ALBUM. 



Uuwlanil, were also unlives of lliat Stale, where 
our siibjoct 8|ieiil llie days of his Imvliooil lind 
youlli ill Ihe usual mni.ner of farmer lads, he nl- 
tending school in the winter season ami working 
on the farm in the summer months. When he hail 
arrived nl years of maturity, lie was mnrried to 
Miss Kliznhelh Hussell, a native of Delaware, liorn 
Fehruary 21, 1MI3, and a (hiufjliler of Tlioinas and 
.Mary ( Uower) Hussell. who were also natives of 
the same State. The marriage of Mr. ami Mrs. 
Rowland wis celebrated in Delaware in Felmiary. 
ll^.tG, and unto them was horn n family of eiiiht 
chililren, of whom four are now deceased. The 
liviu}' are: Dehornh Ann. wife of Thomas Price; 
Koliert, .Mary and Jonathan D. 

The year IhIO witnessed the arrival of .Mr. Row- 
land and his family in the Territory of Iowa, where 
he has since resided. lie has in:ide farming his life 
work, nnd in that pursuit has acquired a hand- 
some competence, which supplies him with all the 
necessaries and comforts of life. As before slated^ 
his original homestead is situated jusl across the 
boundary line in Davis County, but his line farm 
of four hundred acres also lies p'lrtly in Van 
Kuren County, where he has resided for the 
past seventeen years. He is an honored pioneer 
of the community, and has been a witness of the 
entire growth and progress of Iowa made during 
the past half century. He is respected by all who 
know him. being a man whose upright character 
has won him universal regard. 




AMI i;i, M. WIIIIMKH. deceased, was, to 
many of i.ur readers, known as a leading 
and successful farmer of Cedar Township, 
.lefTerson C'nunty, as well as a valued citi- 
zen, and we therefore lake pleasure in presentin" 
unto them a sketch of his life wc»rk. lie wr.s born 
in Couiity Antrim, Ireland, in the year IK20, and 
s|)cnl his boyhood days in a manner usual to farmer 
Inds in that country. The occupntitm to which he 
":is reared continued to be his business until ISI'.i, 



when he determined to brave the dangers of an 
ocean voyage and seek his fortune in Americ.-i. 
The water was crossed in safely and on the 2dth 
of May of that year he arrived in P'nirfield with a 
c;i9h capital of *o, hut energy and thrift were 
among his characteristics, and instead of feeling 
discouragement at finding himself in an unknown 
land among strangers he set to work to gain the 
means of livelihood, and as the result of economy 
and industry was some time afterward enabled to 
purchase eightx* acres of wild land on section 10, 
Cedar Township. A little log cabin constituted 
the irap'-ovements at that time, but harti work and 
good management made many changes and in- 
creased his acreage until he was the owner of two 
hundred and twenty-five acres of good farming 
land at the lime of his death. 

Mr. McWhirtcr chost as a companion on life's 
journey .Miss Martha Logan, and on the 30tli of 
November, 1819, their union was celebrated. The 
lady, who was born in County Antrim, Ireland, 
February 14, 1824, crossed the ocean in the same 
vessel in which her husband was a passenger. She 
was the only one of her family who sought a home 
ill the New World, but Mr. McWhiiter was one 
of four brothers who came lo this country. Both 
he and his wife were of Scotch-Irish descent and 
were reared in the faith of the Scotch Pre.'byterian 
Church. Upon their marriage they began life in 
the little log cabin before mentioned, which con- 
tinued to be their home until increase<l financial 
resources enabled them to re|)lace it by a more 
commodious residence. Ten children were born 
unto them, but four died in infancy. The living 
arc: .lohn. who married Liicinda Treiubley and is 
a farmer of Clay County. Neb.; David A., who 
wedded Martha Terniham and farms in Lane 
County, Kan.; Mary, at home; .leniiie M.. wife of 
Thomas Loud''ii. a resident farmer of Cedar Town- 
ship; and Robert L. and William, who are operat- 
ing the home farm. 

The McWbirter family 1ms lived in .Jefferson 
County for forty-one years and is one of the sub- 
stantial and liigLly esteemed families of Ced.ir 
Township. Like the father, the sons are all sup- 
porters of Democratic principles. As every true 
American citizen shouhl be. he was iiilensted in 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



631 



political affairs, but never sought official recogni- 
tion, content to devote liis time and energies to his 
business, wliioh prospered greall_y under his energy 
and excellent management. He died on the 31st 
of December, 1 886, respected by all who knew liim 
and lamented by many friends. He lived a life of 
uprightness, and when earth's pilgrimage wis ended 
was ready to enter upon the home prepared fur the 
pure and good of this earth. 



-S*!^- ^>t^«-^**^^-<?«f-<W!- 



^OSEPH V. CLARK, who is engaged in 
farming and stock-raising on section 27, 
Liberty Township, Jefferson County, is a 
native of Van Buren Count3', born October 
29, 1849. His parents, Julius L. and Emeline 
(Carson) Clark were natives of Ohio, and a sketch 
of their lives is given on another page of this work. 
The family was founded in America during Col- 
onial days and on both the paternal and mater- 
nal sides the grandfather served in the Revolution- 
ary War. The family also had its representatives 
in the late war. 

•The subject of this sketch, who was the eldest m 
a famil}' of nine children, spent his early boyhood 
days in his native county and at the age of sixteen 
years accompanied his parents to Jefferson County, 
where he grew to manhood. He acquired his edu- 
cation in the district schools of the neighborhood, 
and upon the home farm remained until his mar- 
riage, which was celebrated on the 18th of Febru- 
ary, 1873, when he was joined in wedlock with 
Miss Mary Ella Tower, daughter of Joseph and 
Philena (Burton) Tower. Her father was born in 
Hamilton County, Ohio, in 1825, and was left fa- 
therless at the age of four, after which he removed 
with the remainder of the family to Ripley County, 
lud. His grandfather served in the earlier wars of 
this country, and his great-grandfather, who was a 
native of England, was among the pioneer settlers 
of this land. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Tower 
took place on the 3 1st of May, 1849, and unto them 
have been born a family of eight children: Sybil 



S., the eldest, horn March 18, 1850, is now the wife 
of F. Marion Green, of Des Moines; Mary Klla was 
born February 24, 1852; Julia Josephine, bom 
May 20, 1854, is the widow of Thomas J. Carr; 
Frank Burton was born October 2, 1857; William 
Everett, born January 4, 1860, married BcHe Fer- 
guson, of Van Buren County; Emma Orpha. horn 
August 3, 1864, is now living with her father; and 
two children died in infancy. .Mrs. Tower who 
was born December 13, 1828, died December 14, 
1867. She was a descendant of the famous Dudley 
family and a daughter of Hiram and Sybil (Dudley) 
Burton, the latter an authoress of considerable re- 
nown, who at the advanced age of eighty-two wrote 
a reminiscence of early Indiana Methodism, which 
was published in the Wf^stern Christian Advocate 
in 1885. She died in her eighty -sixth year. She 
was a Methodist, and lived to see the fourth gener- 
ation. Mrs. Clark was born in Ripley County. Ind., 
February 24, 1852. She emigrated with her parents 
in her third year to Wapello County. Iowa, from 
which place they removed, in 1805, to Van Buren 
County. She was educated in the public schools 
of the count}'. • 

The year succeeding their marriage, Mr. and .Mrs. 
Clark spent in Wayne County, after which they 
took up their residence in Jefferson County, trad- 
ing the farm in the former county for eighty acres 
of land on section 27, I^ibertj- Township. To this 
has been added a forty acre tract and now a hitrhly 
improved faim of one hundred and twenty acres 
pays tribute to the care and cultivation of its owner. 
Besides his own land, Mr. Clark is also operating 
about two hundred acres of leased land. He has 
introduced into the county a new varietj- of oats, 
known as the "Welconif;" which he thinks will rap- 
idly gain public favor. He is regarded as a most 
successful agriculturist and is also a successful 
stock-raiser. He makes a specialty of Poland-China 
hogs, bresding in large numbers and his other stock 
is of equally good grades. A short time since he 
sold a Norman gelding, five years old, which weigheii 
seventeen hundre<l and fifty pounds. As before 
stated, he takes rank among the leading farmers of 
the community, and in enterprises of public inter- 
est is also found ready to aid with his support and 
influence in their advancement. For several years 



fi:V2 



l',.|;T!;\rr \NI) lUoCi; \I'I1IC \!. Al.urM. 



In- Idis l.cen a nicinlier of llif >■ I i i.":i"i. ••""' I" 

his slroiig iulvoeiicy «n«l iiiitiiing efforts is largely 
tine the introiliietion of the graded system into the 
schools, n measure which has proved of great ad- 
vanlage. To secure this, however, he had to over- 
come the influence of an opposing majority, Imt 
with censeless eneru'V he lalxircd until the desired 
result was olitained. I'oliti.nlly. he is a Kepuldican 
and socially is a member of the Temperance Alli- 
ance. 

To the home of Mr. and Mrs. Clark have come 
four children, three of whom are yet living, namely : 
Clara M.. the eldest, who was horn .lanuary 28. 
I87t; Lester Tower, horn April 1. 1877; Inez Josie, 
Mav 1«, 1M8.1; the fourth child was born in 1880 
«iid lived hut three days. 



AMKS SlIKRMAX SHKI'UKHI) was born 
in Sangamon County, 111., [)ecember 4> 
IS.'M. His parents. James and .lane (Sher- 
li^J man) Sheplioid, wore natives of .Maryland 
and North Carolina respectively. In ()ctol)er, 
1841, the family removed from Springficlil, 111., to 
Iveosriuipia, then Van Buren County, then Terri- 
tory of Iowa. Here for the nest sis years the 
father pul>li>lied the Tdh-ii Ddiiorral. and also kept 
hotel until l.'<77. His mother died .Septcmlier 22, 
1870, Mged sixty-five years, and his father .'^eptenl- 
lierll, 1 HKO. aged eighty years and six months. 
Of their twelve (rhildren, five sons, the oldest sixly- 
eighl, and the 3'oungesl forty years olil, are living. 
The subject of this sketch is next to the oldest 
living, lie was lirsl employed in his father's 
prinling-offlce when only ten years old, the work 
at that time, however, not being stead}-, as he at- 
teuiled school regularly until sixteen years old. He 
then served a regidar apprenticeship of four years, 
and jour work one year. In April. IH.'it'), he was 
appointed rostmasler of Kensnutpia. holding that 
office until the fall of 18(!0, when hi. resigned, he 
Tnd his father having puchasiil the />s Mninis 
A'c^a, at Keosauqua, to which he devoted his 



wli..;> .1 . ,.;, a until the fall of 1865, when they 
sold the ofllce. For the nest fifteen years he was 
variously employed — at his trade, insuiance, real- 
estate, running n hotel, selling patent righlii. and 
for two seasons cutting stone. The 1st of Janu- 
ary, 1880, he renioveil from Keosauqua to Cory- 
don. Wayne County, Iowa, where he published the 
Corydon Democrat for two and a half years, and in 
the fall of 1883 was elected County Superintendent 
of Schools. He held this olHce during the years 
1884 and 1885, and in November of the latter year 
he bouirhtlhe i/bi/r/irf/ newspaper at -Mt. Ayr, Ring- 
gold Count}', Iowa, of which he is the present pro- 
prietor, and has made it the lending odicial paper, 
as well as the fearless organ of the Democratic 
party in the county. He moved to Mt. Ayr from 
Corydon January G. 1886. 

Mr. Shepherd was married to .Miss Mary Moore, 
daughter of .Samuel and Klizabcth Moore, .lanuary 
9, 1862, and to them four children were born, two 
daughters and two sons, of whom three are living: 
.Minnie (now Mrs. Hartshorn). Little J. andtieorge 
S. The other son, Alvah C, died in Corydon, 
November 7. 1881. Mrs. Mary .Shephenl died in 
Mt. Ayr. .May 2>i. I8'.)0. aged fifty -one years and 
nine months. .Mr. and Mrs. Shepherd have been 
members of the Methodist Episcopal Church since 
1 8.')8. 

Mr. Shepherd was maile a Master .Mason in Keo- 
sauqua Lodge, No. 10, in January. 18;)G. a Royal 
Arch Mason in 1858, and Knight Templar in 1878. 
He has filled the ollice of Master in three different 
loflges, and is the present Master of Faith Lodge. 
No. 17".>, at Mt. Ayr. He is a zealous M.ison. a 
conservative Democrat in politics, and enileavors to 
live a consistent Christian life. 



^'^^- 



\f AMKS SlIKl'llKKD was born in Hagers 
town, Md.. March 15, 1800. At the age of 
one year his parents movc.1 to Clinton 
((^^/ County. Ohio, where he grew to the age of 
manhood and learned the shoemaker's trade. On 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



633 



March 7, 1821, he was married to Jane Sherman, 
and lived in Clinton County until 1827, when, with 
his wife and two children, he moved to Salem, 
tlien iu Sangamon County, 111., where he worked 
at iiis trade, and also milling, farming and otiier 
[lursuits. He was twice elected Tax Collector of 
Sangamon County, and moved to Springfield in 
1838 or '39. He was a warm personal friend of 
Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas. Dur- 
ing the campaign of 1840, he was engaged as as- 
sistant editor of the Stale Register^ and made sev- 
eral speeches in the count}- advocating the election 
of Martin Van Buren to the Presidency'. In May, 
1843, he made .i trip to the Territory of Iowa, 
looking for a location to establish a newspaper, 
and selected Kcosauqua, Van Buren County, as tlie 
point, and in the June following sent his eldest son, 
Jesse M. and J. L. T. Mitchell, both printers, who 
had learned the trade in Springfield, to take charge 
of and run the paper, the first issue of which appeared 
July 3, 1843, and was called The loica Democrat 
and Dps Moines River Intelligencer, which the}' con- 
tiinied to publish until Jul}' 1, 1844, when he pur- 
chased the interest of J. L. T. Mitchell, and dropping 
the latter part of the name, continued the publica- 
tion of the Iowa Dernocrat with firm name of James 
Shepherd & Son, until 1847, when he bought Jesse 
M. out, and became full owner, and continued its 
publication until 1850, when he sold the office. On 
the i-emoval of liis family to Keosanqua, October 
8, 1844, he went into the hotel business, in the 
Des Moines House, near the court-house, now torn 
down, and ran it one year, and in the spring of 
1847 bought the Ktosauqua House, on Front 
Street, which he continued to run until 18P6, when 
he sold it and went on a farm, .ind two years 
later bought a house on First Street, and opened 
out in the hotel business again, which he continued 
to run until the death of his wife, September 22, 
1870. In 1845 he put in a bid for and was 
awarded the contract for carrying the mail from 
keosauqua to Otturawa, and also to Bloomfield. 
He was twice a candidate for the legislature, but 
failed of an election, but was frequently elected to 
minor offices, and w.as a Justice of the Peace for 
years. In 1860, he in connection with his son, Jauiis 
S. bought the Des Moines News, iniblished in Kco- 



sauqua, being the same printing press and office he 
shipped to this place in 1843, which paper they 
continued to publish until the fall of 18G5, when 
they sold the office. 

In the fall of 1870, just after the death of his 
wife, his daughter, Mrs. Delazon Smith, arrived 
from Oregon, and in December, on her return, he 
accompanied her to her home in Albany, Linn 
County, and was with her at her death, January 1, 
1871. From Albany he went to his son, Jesse M., 
in Baker City. Ore., where he remained until the 
fall of 1871, when he returned to Kcosauqua, and 
.again took charge of the hotel until 1878, when he 
again made a trip to Baker City, Ore., in the 
spring, and returning home again to Kcosauqua in 
the fall, where he remained until his death, Septem- 
ber 14, 1880. 

Mr. Shepherd w.as made a Master Mason, and 
received the chapter degrees in .Springfield, 111., 
and in 1845 was a charter member and first Master 
of Kcosauqua Lodge, No. 10, and continued its 
Master for a number of years. While in Illinois 
he w.as Colonel of a regiment of .State Militia, and 
his sword is now the |)roperly of Kcosauqua Lodge, 
No. 10, by his gift. He was also one of the first 
members and High Priest of Moore Chapter, No. 
23, at Keosauqua. and was a zealous M;ison and a 
prominent member of the Grand Lodge and (irand 
Chapter of the Slate. In early life he was con- 
verted and became a member of Ihe Methodist 
Episcopal Churcli, and continued faithfid until 
called home to his .M.Hster. In the latter years of 
his life he was commissioned a local iireacher, and 
was a worthy worker for Christ. He was the father 
of twelve children, six sons and si.K daughters, all 
of whom exce|>t five sons had preceded him to that 
heavenly home, where their nxjther had gone to 
give them welcome. Of the five sons still liv- 
in", three arc now engaged in the newspaper busi- 
ness, tlie eldest, Jesse M., in liaker City, and the 
youngest, Stephen II., at \'ale. Ore., and James S.. 
at Mt. Ayr. Iowa; the other two, Charles W. is a 
Methodist Kpisco(ial minister, member of the Iowa 
Conference, now stationed at Winneld, lown, and 
the other, Lewis C, is a harness-maker and resides 
at Mt. Ayr. In politics. James Shepherd wm a 
Jacksonian Democrat, an<l although not a politician. 



6a I 



POKTUAIT AM) lUOC KAIMIIC'AL ALBUM. 



ns lliBl term is understtKjil to-dny. lie was an car- 
nest n<lvocalf of his convictions, a forcible speaker 
anil writ.T. an<l rca'ly at all limes to meet his 
..|.|)r)n«nU cither on the slnm|) or through the 
press. 



''fisKLAZON SMITH was horn Octobers. 1816, 
I ) in New Berlin. C'hcnanj!;o County, N. Y. 
Jt< His parents were of that uiediuui class of 
societv from which many honored names have 
sprung. Karly bereft of a motiier's care (she died 
when he was in his ninth year), he'was thrown upon 
his own rcoourccs. and from that period until his 
decease he strugfjiod forward in the stern conllicts 
of life; sometimes successful, somcliines defeated; 
but never dcspairinf;. At the age of fifteen, with 
all his worldly possessions tied in a small bundle, 
be started on that westward path which he pur.-ucd 
through life until he reached its fartheresl limits 
and found a grave upon the shores of the Pacific. 
Me stop|icd in Uocheslcr, N. Y., about three years, 
with a near relative, assiduously laboring to acquire 
an education, and thus laying its foundation, he 
has ever since ci»ntiiiued .striving to expand an<l 
improve his mind, and to better qualify himself 
for the duties and responsibilities of life. From 
Western New York he journeye<l to the manual 
labor school of Oberlin. Ohii), where he spent two 
vears. Thence he went into a law office at Cleve- 
land, Ohio, Its a law student. While there hccnm- 
niencetl to write for the public press. His inclina- 
tions and talents pointing out such a course, and 
an opportunity soon t)frering, he assumed the edi- 
tor»hip of a paper called the Watchinnn, published 
in Uochesler, N. Y. In this position he employed 
himself for two years, still devoting what attention 
be was able to his law studies. In 1810 he was the 
I'dilor of a political paper called the Jpffirsoniaii. 
Afterwar<l, in the same year, he succeeded to the 
editorial conduct of the Wealtrn Ili-raUl. In 1842 
he established the j)aper at Daytun. Ohio, called 
the Dayton Kmjiirf. In 1M43 he isl:ibll>lu'd ihe 
Atiaiiiiiin in the same place. During the years of 



1840-18-I-1, in addition to his editorial labors, he 
made electioneering campaigns in the States of 
New York. Ohio and Pennsylvania. In 184 1 he 
WHS appointed a special commis>ioner of the United 
States to the Kepublicof Ecuador, in South Amer- 
ica. He was clotheil with full powers, but finding 
himself unable from the convulsed and disorgan- 
ized condition of the country to accomplish his 
mission he returned in 184 0, after an absence of 
less than a year, and settled himself in Keosauqua, 
Iowa. He here occupied himself consiilerably in 
political affairs. In 1848, during the Presidential 
canvass, he edited the lona Democrat. publishe<l 
bj' James Shepherd. 

In 18,'i7 Mr. Smith was married to .Miss Kliza 
\'oke, in Huchcsler, N. Y. Of this union, which 
continued about nine years, onlj' a son survives. 
In 1848 he was married to .Miss Mary Shepherd, 
daughter of .lames Shepherd, at Keosauqua. Of 
this union, which was broken by his death ten years 
and six months later, five children were born, all 
of whom, except one sou. Delavan, now residing in 
Oregon, have passed to the beyond, the mother 
also dying .lanuar}' 1, 1871. 

In the spring of 18;V2, true to his westward in- 
stincts, if r. Smith, witli his family, started across the 
plains for Oregon. He arrived at Portland late in 
the season, wearied, j)oor and tleslilute. but by no 
means dismayed. He estal)lished a home in Linn 
County, where he continued to live until hisdeath, 
which occurred November 18, 1860. 

Until April, 1851, Mr. Smith was irreligious. In 
that year, IS.'d. under the labors of Henry Clay 
Dean, he sought and obtained religion at Keosau- 
qua. Iowa; his conversion being thorough, he im- 
mediately began laboring for Christ, and a great 
revival resulted. As soon as the case would per- 
mit he became a preacher of the Gospel, and was a 
power in the pulpit. lie maintained his Chris- 
tianity to the enil, but on entering public life again 
in Oregon, he abandoned the pulpit for the ro.«- 
Irum and became the leader of his party, as well as 
at the head of the profession of law in Oregon. 
He was three times elected to the Legislature, antl 
elected Speaker of the Lower House, which he 
filled with marked ability; he was an honored 
member of the Constitutional Convention, and at 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



635 



■the first session of tlie Legislature after the arlop- 
tioii of tlie constitution and the a(imission of Ore- 
gon into the Union, he was cliosen one of the 
United States Senators. He was a natural orator, 
and a powerful speaker on the stump. He also, in 
connection with his brother-in-law, J. M. Shepherd, 
pulilished the Oregon Democrat at Albany. While 
in Iowa he joined the Masons, and was a worthy 
member of tlie fraternity until iiis death, beloved 
by his brothers, and received their care and atten- 
tion ilnring his fatal sickness and death, which oc- 
curred at Portland, Oregon, and his remains were 
taken to Albany', his home, where they were laid to 
await the gtneral resurrection. 




ETP:R MARSAN, one of the first pioneers 
of Xwn Buren County, was born in L'As- 
suniiition. Province of Quebec, Canada, 
October 4, 1812. of French parentage. He 
learned the trade of a miller and millwright and in 
the autumn of 1833 came to the United States, 
making a settlement in Troy. N. Y., wliere he was 
employed at his chosen occupation. In thatcit^'on 
the 4th of November, 1835, he wedded Miss Mar- 
garet INIcIntyre, daughter of Hugh and Sarah 
(Fleming) Mclntjre. She was born in Liverpool, 
Fjngland, December 5, 1814, and having lost her 
father in childhood came to America with her 
mother in 1827, and settlerl at Troj-, N. Y. Her 
father was of Scotch and her mother of English 
birth. The latter accompanied her daughter and 
her family to Iowa and died in Van Buren Count}' 
February 28, 1856. 

Mr. and Mrs. INIarsan emigrated U> Pike Countj-, 
III., in 1836, and located in R(jckport, continuing 
there to make their home until March, 1838, when 
the}' crossed the Mississippi into tlie Wisconsin 
Territory, now the State of Iowa, and located at Ben- 
tousport. Van Buren Count\-, where for a short 
time he kept a hotel. Mr. .Alarsan, in the spring 
of 1840, bought a stock of goiuls and opened a 
small store at Farmii:gton, A curious incident 



happened to the family in March, IH.K), which de- 
serves mention. The Sac an-l Vox Imiians had 
cami)ed not far distant from the little wliite settle- 
ment and members of the tribes had been frequent 
visitors at the home of our subject, where they 
were well treated and were often feii. In .March, 
1839, as the Indians had loaded their canoes and 
completed their preparations for removal down the 
Des Moines River to the Mississippi, Chief Keokuk 
and one of his seven wives, a middle-age<l squaw, 
came for some breakfast. Mrs. Marsaii gave them 
a good meal and then told them to move on. Wiiile 
she was in an adjoining room they took their de- 
parture very suddenly, and on jier return to the 
former apartment she missed her eight months 
old baby boy. Joshua, from his cr.idle. She at once 
sought the child in another room where she thought 
it might have been pkced on a bed, but not find- 
ing it she began to inquire of the family about, 
when a little three-^-ear-old boy spoke up and said: 
"That dirty, black woman took baby." Mrs. Marsan 
at once ran out after her and met a neighbor.John D. 
Sanford, to whom she toid her trouble. He replied 
that he had just passed the woman who was carry- 
ing something concealed under her blanket. Call- 
ing up a large dog that belonged to the family, the 
Marsans and IMr. Sanford followed the squaw on a 
run, calling to her to slop, but instead of heeding 
the command she made a run for the eanocs. The 
dog was then put on her track and in a few min- 
utes had the woman's blanket in his teeth and her 
at a stand-still. When Mr. Sanford came up with 
her and demanded the baby she refused to surren- 
der it but ran back to the house with it and placed 
it in the cradle. When the mother asked why she 
stole the child, the squaw stepped to the firepl.icc 
and wetting a finger on her lips she touched it to 
the smutty wall and then made a black mark down 
each of the baby's fat cheeks, signifying that she 
wanted to take it awa}- to paint it. As the child 
grew up he was often twitted with being an Indian 
boy. The same youngster, wlien a little more than 
three 3'ears old, had another adventure when his 
life was saved b}- the same dog that caught the 
squaw who was carrying liiiii olT. It lin,)pencd one 
d.ay while the family were living in Big Fox, in 
Jackson Township, that the mother .again missed 



r.:,r, 



PORIUMI AND r.lOCIfArillCAI, ALBIM. 



lln- liui'i ^1 I'l. ;;"Mi;; lii - .>i> ll llf IllT IhiV lllun;; Ull' 

river Imnk. fuiiii<i liini wol niitl iiiseiisil>li>, with his 
hair full of sand, well up on llie liauk, while the 
(l(>;{ slMod over him licking' his fac-e. When the 
mother piike.l him up tlie water ran out of his 
mouth and she had ),'reat ditlltulty in restoriiij; him 
to consciousness. The child was too young lo 
^ivean explanation of how he fell into the river 
but complained of his arm heinj^ hurt where he 
said,"'rhe clog hit it." On examination one arm of 
tlie hoy showeil the print of the ilofi's teeth where 
he evidently had seized it while taking him from 
the river. That he had saved the child's life cannot 
he douhted. 

Mr. and Mrs. Marsan were the parents of seven 
rliililrcn. six suns and one daughter. John, the 
ildest. married I'lnehe Allen and is now a widower 
living in Little River, t'al. He was a soldier of 
the lute war; .loshua w,is a mendier of the Fifth 
Illinois Infantry and died in the fall of IHliT from 
the < ffects of disease contract*;!! in the service; 
Margaret Klla is the wife of .lames Alfred Russell, 
of Milton, also a soldier; George, one of the bo3s 
in iilne, is single and now ranching in Arizona; 
Henry L. married Nettie Holland and is a farmer 
of .lackson Township, \&n Hiiren County; Alonzo 
wedded Hmma McLean and resides in .Milton; one 
child died in infancy in I'ike (.'onnty, III. 

Mr. .Marsan remained in ISentonsport unlit the 
spring of IKK), when he rcniovetl with his family 
to Karmiiigton, where he carried on a store until 
IK4I. at which lime he went lo Hig Fox. in Jack- 
son Township. There he huillasawand grist-mill 
in company with his brother, John B. Marsan, and 
also opened npa farm, continuing the dual en)|dov- 
nienl until his death, which occurred February 2H, 
lH.')(i. In politics, he was a Democrat and in his 
leligious views a Methodist. He was upright and 
honorable in his intercourse with his fellow-men 
and was an esteemed citizen. 

(Jn the 27th of August, i«57, Mrs. Marsan be- 
came the wife of .lolin B. .Marsan, a youngei 
brother of her deceased husbniul. He was born in 
L' Assumption. Lower Canada, on the IClh of Feb- 
ruary, 1«16. and. removing to the United .States, 
joined his brother Feler in Troy. Together they 
came to Iowa iu an early day and they were asso- 



L'uiiol in the building and operating of the mill at 
Big Fox and in the improvement and cultivation 
of the farm. Mr. Marsan met with the misfortune 
of losing a limb in 1844, which resulted from dis- 
ease contracted while working in the water about 
the mill. He is a Republican in |iolitics and a 
member of the Methodist I'roteslant Church. He 
and his wife have resided in .Milton since 1865, 
covering a period of a quarter of a century and 
have made many friends among ils best citizens. 



-S^-cf^ 




HRI.STIA.N W . .sL.^(;LK. Among the law- 
yers who have stood in the front rank at 

w/ the .lefferson County bar. none are more 
worthy a repre.sentalion in this volume than the 
gentleman whose name heads this sketch. Whether 
as an advocate antl judge of law, or a citizen, he is 
universally accorded the highest position. Of his 
ancestry, little is known, but as a man is the result 
of two forces — heredity and environment — it must 
follow that his parents, Jacob and Martha .Slagle, 
possessed rare endowments of mind and soul. 

Christian W. Slagle was born in Washington, 
I'a., on the 17lh of November, 1821. His educa- 
tional advantages were the best the times afforded. 
After attending the schools of his native town, he 
entered Washington College ami graduated with 
honor from the classical course in 184U. Having 
taught school for a year in Accomack County. Va.. 
he returned to Washington and began the study of 
his chosen profession in the law office of Hon. 
Thomas M. T. McKennon, a man of excellent at- 
tainments and wide rcpul;ition. After two years of 
careful reading, Mr. Slagle was admitted to the 
bar in 184K. Thereupon he and (ieorge Acheson, 
his life-long friend and companion, formed a part- 
nership with the intention of eslalilishing themselves 
in the legal profession sonicwiiere in the Territory 
of Iowa. AftiT six weeks travel by the then 
rapid means of conveyance, they arrived in Fair- 
field on the 2."3rd of April. For thirty-eight years 
I the sign, •■.Slagle <t Acheson," announced their con- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



C3; 



tinned business relations and durin? all those yeaivs, 
the sweet friendship of childliooil was never nianod 
nor broken and was severed only when death 
called Mr. Acheson away. They did not experi- 
ence a starving time, as many a young law Brni 
has done, but business came to them from the first. 
Faithful to their clients and the honor of their pro- 
fession, they became widely known as conscientious, 
able lawyers. The volume of their business con- 
tinued to increase through the yeais, but by me- 
thodical and well directed efforts they were enabled 
to attend carefully, to all details of their own busi- 
ness and also take an active part in social affairs. 
That as an advocate, a counselor and a judge of 
the law, Mr. Slagle was held in high esteem, is 
evinced by the fnct that his name was freely spoken 
of in connection with the offices of Representative in 
Congress, Judge of the District and Circuit Courts, 
Governor of the State and other responsible posi- 
tions. In 1 856 he declined a district judgeship of the 
State and in 1880 he refused to accept the nomi- 
nation of Circuit Judge tendered by the Republican 
convention held in Oskaloosa. Such was his love 
for an unostentatious life that he refused all |)olit- 
ical preferment. But it was as a citizen that his 
character shone out with brightest lustre. What- 
ever looked toward the improvement of the town, 
the county or society, he assisted liberally with his 
time, his talents and his means. When in 1849, it 
was proposed to establish a branch of the State 
University in Fairfield, Mr. Slagle was one of the 
warmest friends of the project. Ten years later 
when the independent school district of Fairfield 
was formed, the subject of this notice was chosen 
a member of the board of directors and thus aided 
in establishing the first graded school in the county. 
Much credit is due him for his untiring efforts in 
the upbuilding and maintaining of Parsons College 
of which he was an honored trustee for a number 
of years. From 1868 until his death in 1882 he 
, was a member of the Board of Regents, of the State 
University, In 1877, through the resignation of 
Dr. Thatcher, the President's chair in the State 
University became vacant and the board unani- 
mously elected Mr. Slagle to fill the vacancy. Af- 
ter much importunity, he was induced to accept, 
though at great personal sacrifice, for his partner had 



become incapacitated for hard work, leaving him 
Willi the extensive business of the law firm on his 
hands. In this, as in every other position to which 
he was called, lie showed himself master of the sit- 
uation, though he held it only until a suitable per- 
son could be found to take his place. 

The Fairfield Lil)rary and Museum, containing 
more than ten thousand volumes, and over six 
thousand specimens, is a monument to the enter- 
prise, energy and liberality of a number of the 
leading citizens of Fairfield. Mr. Slagle vvas one of 
the first and most earnest workers in its erection. He 
was one of the first trustees of the Library Associa- 
tion in which position he remained until the close of 
his life. If any b\isiness enterprise was on foot, Mr. 
Slagle could always be depended upon to aid in its 
promotion. He labored hard to procure the rail- 
roads with which Fairfield and the county are 
blessed; was a stockholder, director and vice-pres- 
ident in the First National Bank; one of the found- 
ers of the Jefferson County Coal Company, a stock- 
holder in the Fairfield Ice Company; in short, there 
is scarcely an enterprise in city or county whose 
success was not, in some degree, due to his gener- 
osity. Nor were the farmers forgotten by him. He 
was one of the founders of the Jefferson County 
Agricultural Society and at the meeting of the so- 
ciety October 15, 1853, offered a resolution which 
resulted in the organization of the Stale Agricultu- 
ral Society — now the Slate Fair. 

Politicall}' Mr. Slagle first espoused the princi- 
ples embodied in the old Whig platform. During 
the agitation of the slavery question, he took a 
strong stand against that institution and on the rise 
of the Republican party adopted its principles. 
Throughout the war, t'.iough incapacitated for ser- 
vice himself, he did all in his power to ameliorate 
the hard life of the soldier boys from Iowa and to 
make the Union cause triumphant. In the Mas- 
ter's vineyard, Mr. Slagle was a zealous worker, be- 
ing for many years a trustee in the Congregational 
Church of Fairfield. The cause of prohibition also 
found in him a strong advocate and he w as remark- 
able for always being on the right side of every 
question. 

On the 26lh of July. 184;». Mr. Slagle marrie.l 
Miss Nanej' ^I. Seward, a naliveof Guilford, Conn. 



631 



I'OlMlvAII AND I'.lMi; IMl'IIK \1 AllilM. 



Tliis union, wliifli WHS aUoiiii iiK-iil oiif. »us lili.-st»l 
Willi six fliilflron. bill Ailluy H., llic nrst-borii. 
fli«-(l in infancy; Fannie, is now the wife of .Joseph 
1'. Itin;;iiin!iii. a resident of Piilslniij;. I'a.; Vir- 
•{iniii J., is llie wife of lion, .hiines C. Herryiiili. 
one of llie lemlinj; lawyers ('f Des Moines, Iowa; 
Craec we(Me<l CImrlis M. .Iimkin. one of the pro- 
prietors of the Fairtkld Lxlf/n-; Frank M. and 
Waller >. are associated in liusiness in Alton, Iowa. 
On the 2:Jrtl of (Jctober. 1S82. in his sixty-first 
year. Mr. .Single passed away from amoii;; the liv- 
Wil. In p«iinl of lime his life waa short, Imt if 
"we li%e in deeils. not years." then did he reach a 
ri|>e age. The visihie man is t't"'*^' 'J"*^ ^^^ ''"" 
(tress of his life nnd character is left upon the in- 
stitutions of his county and Slate and upon the 
lives and hearts of tli<><" "itl. wli,.in l..' w.i^; asso- 
ciated. 



RM. DICKSON is llie proprietor of the 
pottery, of \'eiiion, Iowa, ami one of the 
leading business men of Van Buren Count}-. 
He has curried on oper.itinns in this line for 
some thiriy-ei^ht years. It was in April, 18.j2, 
that he camo to the county and |)urch!ised an old 
pottery located in .Sonlh Heiitonspfirt. now Vernon. 
Repairing the same, he embarked in business as a 
mHiiufacUner of stoneware and soon had a 
llouriyhing trade, which continued with him until 
\Mi, when his eslHlilishment wjis destroyed by 
fire. As soon as he had rebuilt, which he immedi- 
ately did. his old customers returned to him. and 
many new ones added Uieir names to the list of his 
patrons. Fair and honest dealing won him tin; 
lontidence of the piiMic, and the excellent quiilily 
of his ware has secured him Ihe trade which yields 
him n handsome income. This pottery is one of 
the leading business enterprises of ^'erllon and 
furnishes employment to live men. 

Mr. Dickson is a native of York County, l*a.. 
his birth having occurred in iNUtj. The parents 
of till- raiiiily of eliveii childrep, of which he was 



lhir<l ill oilier of bulb, were Kobirl 1>. and 
.Susanna 1'. (McCall) Dickson. His father was a 
native of .Scotland, and ere he left that country for 
America, serveil under the Hritish flag in the 
famous battle of Waterloo as one of the .Scottish 
Grays. It was during the early years of his man- 
hood that he crossed the Allanlic to America and 
located in Pennsylvania, where he became ac- 
quainted with and married Miss McCall. ller 
father. .lames .McCall. was a native of Ireland, and 
came to this country during the Kevolutioiiary 
War to aid England in her attempt to bring the 
Colonhps under subjection to her rule, but his 
sympathies were enlisted with the brave soldiers 
who were struggling for freedom and. deserting 
the British service, he dunned the blue and buff 
worn by the American troops and continued to aid 
them until independence was achieveil. He then 
began arraiigenieiils for making a home in this 
country. He entered land on the banks of the 
Susquehanna Uiver in York County, i'a., soon 
afterwards married and settled upon his farm, 
where he coulinued to reside until his death in 
1833. To that farm came Robert Dickson to woo 
his biide. They began their domestic life in the 
Keystone .State, but about 1828 removed to Mus- 
kingum County, Ohio, where he purchased and 
improved a farm. His wife died on the old home- 
stead in that county in 1819, and ten years later 
Mr. Dickson crossed the dark river to meet the 
loved one gone before. 

Our subject was a babe of two years when his 
parent« emigrated to the Buckeye Stale. His bo}-- 
hood days were spent in assisting his father in the 
labors of the farm and in attendance ai the district 
school of the neighborhood, which was taught in a 
log house, such as were common at that da}-, and 
such as many of the most famous men of the 
iialion acquired their rudimentary knowledge in. 
He left Ohio in 18;)0, going to Winchester, Stott. 
County, III., where he engaged in the pottery 
business. It was there that in 1852 he was united 
ill marriage with Miss Melinda .1. Hanback. a 
native of Kentucky and a daughter of .lohn and 
Deborah (Kdmonson) Hanback. who were born in 
Hopkinsville. Ivy. At an early diiy. iiuwc\er. 
they removed to Scott County. III., where the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



639 



mother spent her last days, d^injf in 1852. Four 
years later Jlr. Hanback came to live with his 
daughter, and in the home of our subject his death 
occurred in 1870. 

Iramediatelj' after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. 
Dickson came to Vernon, Iowa, and their home 
has here been blessed by the presence of seven 
children, but only four are now living — Robert 
Leslie, who was killed in the clay mill in 18G3,at the 
age of ten years; John Howard, who was killed in 
a railroad accident near St. Marys, Wj'o., while en 
route to California in 187.T, he being then eighteen 
years of age; Mary A., now Mrs. Moore, of Pierce 
City, Mo.; Charlie T., who wedded Miss Susie 
Gaston in October, 1887, and is employed as 
general agent on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. 
Paul Railroad at Luzerne, Bio. ; Anna V., now Mrs. 
Folker, of Vernon Township, Van Buren County; 
Blanche, now Mrs. Fulton, of the same township; 
and William Clayton, who died in infancy. 

When Mr. Dickson came to the county travel- 
ing was done by waj' of the river and by wagon 
trains. It was not until about 1857 that the rail- 
road was built. Prior to that time there was 
comparatively little intercourse with the outside 
world, for it was then no easy task to accomplish a 
journey as the roads were poor, being almost 
impassable during the rainy period of spring and 
fall. The nearest market at that time was sonic 
miles distant, and the work of improvement was 
but just begun. In all possible ways he has aided 
in everything pertaining to the advancement of 
the c(jmmunily, especially has he been instrumental 
in biinging about the present excellent school 
system. He, for some years, was a member of the 
School Board, and has also served as Justice of the 
Peace. In political sentiment he is a stanch 
Republican, and socially is a Master Mason, hold- 
ing membership in Bentonsport Lodge, No. 49, 
A. F. <fe A. M., and La F.ayette Ch.ipter, No. 61, 
R. A. M. In this organization he has held a 
number of offices and is one of tlie prominent 
members. Both be and his wife are members of the 
Presbyterian Church. Mr. Dickson was one of llie 
founders of that church in Bentonsport, and for 
thirty -seven years has served in the otlicial capjicily 
of Elder. He gives liberally to the support of the 



church, is an active worker for its interests, and 
lives a consistent Christian life in harmony with 
his professions. Charitable and benevolent, he is 
a friend to tliose in need, and his sympathy and 
material aid have cheered many hearts. 



¥ 



B. FRAMK, residing on section 25, Round 
Prairie Tovvnshi|), is numbered amone the 
V^^ pioneer settlers of Southeastern Iowa. In 
1841 he settled in tlie vill.age of Salem, Henry 
County, and from that time h.as been identified with 
the history of this community. He was born in 
Wayne County, Ind., in 1836, his parents being 
Joseph M. and Susan (Cohonrn) Frame. His 
father was born in Delaware in February, 1809, but 
in his youth went with his parents to Chester 
Count}-, Pa., where he grew to maturity. With 
his father he learned the blacksmith's trade, which 
occupation he followed during the greater part of 
his life. At the age of twenty-six he left the 
parental roof and was united in marriage with Miss 
Cobourn, who was born in 181C. They reared a 
family of five children, four sons and a daughter, 
of whom our suliject is the eldest. Julia, the 
daughter, is the wife of W. W. llogate, of Webster 
County, Neb.; John R. is engaged in farming in 
Republic County, Kan.; and James L. and Robert 
A. are residents of Webster Countj', Neb. Having 
for some time previous resided in Indiana, in 1849 
accompanied by his family, Mr. Frame came to 
Iowa and for four years engaged in blacksmithing 
in Salem. He then |)urclia.sed a farm in Henry 
County, upon which he made his home until 1882, 
when he removed to Webster Count}', Neb., where 
he was living at the time of his death in the autumn 
of 1888. The family circle was then broken for 
the first time and the children and mother still sur- 
vive him. Mis. Frame is now living in Webster 
County with her children. 

The first thirteen years of his life W. B. Frame 
spent in lii? native State, and since that time he has 
been a resident of Iowa. He remained under the 



6 JO 



I'dlMKAir \M' l'.l<ii;i; M'lIK Al, AII'.IM. 



IMirciiliil n« f until 1H,)'.I. in wliicli \e:i|- In- uru- 
riii^e Willi MIns llarrlil N. rilf.inj was colfliriitcd. 
Ilftviii;; iii!ust»'ieil llu- lilaiksinllirs trade in his 
fHllii-r's shop, lie fullowcil lliiil pursuit in Sjilcrn 
until tlu' spring of] ISOit, wlu-n lie removed to his 
present farm, which wns entered by Mrs. Frame's 
fiither ill 1«:!G, and a part nf wliieh was the (irsl 
land liniken in the counly. Devoting his energies 
to farminjr and l)laeksinithiii|?. he has there spent 
the sueeeediiijr years, yet in the iniibl of his busi- 
ness cares he luus found lime to devote to publico in- 
Icrcsls. Any enterprise for the benefit of town or 
eouiitv meets with his hearty support and co- 
operation. Politically, he is a supporter of the Re- 
publican party, is a prominent man in local pi ill ileal 
ein-les, ami has freipiently served as delegate to the 
county and .stale conventions. 

Mr. and Mrs. Frame have a (ilcasant home in 
Round Prairie Township, where lliey are surround- 
ed by many warm friends. 'I'liey are parents of 
five children. Ittit onl}' three are now liviii>j — Mary, 
Susan .•iiid .loseph C. The dcceaseil are .John T. 
and .lulia, who died in iiifanc}'. The mother is a 
member of the Haptist Church, and Mr. Frame is a 
non-adiliated Mason, haviiij^ been initiated into 
the myslerie- of the order when iweiily-oue years 
of age. 



" o<:J6 



^l-^ ON. i;i:ORf;F \V. McCR.\RY. deceased. 
The citizens of Iowa feel a special interisl 
ill him whose name heads this sketch and 
)) the people of Van Huren County are justly 
proiiil of his brilii.'int record, as he was known per- 
sonally to many of them, having been reared in 
their midst. He was a son of James McCrary. one 
of the esteemed citizens of the counly. lie was born 
in Indiana on the 'Jth of August, 1835, but when 
only a year old was brought by his parents to Iowa 
and amid the wild scenes of pioneer life in Van 
Hiiren County spent the days of his boyhood and 
youth. From his childhood he manifested a great 
desire for learning;. luaUiiii,' every etTort to obtain 
an education and like the majority of our greatest 



ami iiest iiiiiiitrN men lie wns a sell-made man. The 
proud position to wliieh he attained he won by his 
own efforts and ability and greater honor is due 
him from the fact. After attending llie public 
schools and mastering the common branciies he at- 
tended an academy and on the completion of his 
school life entered the law olllce of .Samuel F. Miller, 
late a Justice of the .Supreme Court of the Initcd 
States. After a thorough course of reading Mr. Mc- 
Crary was admitted to the bar in 18.JG, and the fol- 
lowing year his ollicial career began. Although 
then i)ut twenty-two years of age he was elected to 
the Iowa Legislature for the term of two years and 
served acce])tably as a member of the Lower 
House. It will readily be seen that he won tl;e 
confidence and respect of his consliliieiils for in 
IHIJI he was the choice of his ilislrict for the olliee 
of .Slate .Senator, a position which lie filleil four 
years. Fitted by nature to become a leader, he rose 
from a jilace of comparative obscuritj* to a position 
of prominence in the General Assembly of Itiwa 
and having gained a State wide reputation la- 
was placed before the jieople of the Nation as a 
representative in the legislative halls of this great 
comnionwealth. 

In 1H()8 (leorgc \V. McCrary was elecle<l lo the 
Fort^'-firsl Congress, being one of the youngest 
members of that body and for llirre consecutive 
terms he held the odicc. In the Forly-lirsl Con- 
gress he was placed on the committees on naval 
affairs, revision of the laws and elections, and dis- 
tinguished himself as one of the best informoil 
lawyers in Congress on the subject of election laws. 
In the I'"orty-second Congress he was made Chair- 
man of the Committee on Flections and his manage- 
ment w.as characterized by great fairness while his 
reports were gener.ally adojiled without revision. 
In the FcM'ty-third Congress he was made Chair- 
man of the Committee on Railways and Canals — 
to which committee all questions of transportation 
are referred — prepared a report on the constitu- 
tional power of Congress lo regulate commerce by 
rail among the .Slates, which was considered ex- 
haustive and conclusive; and reported a bill on the 
subject which he advocated with remarkable power 
anil which after a memorable debate passed the 
House. Asa member of the Judiciary Committee 




Tpi /•/T-^Citl^ 



«' 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL AL15UM 



043 



in the Forty-fourth Congress, he was the author of 
the bill providing for the re-organizution of tlic 
judiciary of the United States, which passed the 
House Ijy a large majoiity. He also proposed the 
plan for having a joint committee to count the 
electoral vote, took an active part in preparing the 
electoral bill and in arguing the question before 
the House. At the close of his Congressional ca- 
reer, whicii exi)ircd March 4, 1877, Mr. McCrary 
accepted the position of .Secretary of War proffered 
him by President Hayes and was an influential 
member of the Cabinet. Of liim the remark was fre- 
quentl3' made that "vviien the Secretary of War 
speaks, all listen attentively'." In 1879 he was 
nominated by the President for the .position of 
Judge of the Eighth Judicial Circuit of the 
United States courts, which appointment was 
unanimousl3' confirmed b}' the Senate, the office 
continuing for life. Undoubtedly Judge McCrary 
was endowed by nature with superior gifts yet he 
deserves the greatest credit for the position to 
wliicli he attained. Reared in obscurity among 
tiie wilds of the Territory of Iowa, with little ad- 
vantages for advancement, he yet overcame the 
difficulties and disadvantages which lay in his 
path, working his vvay upward step by step to a 
position of fame, becoming one of the honored 
statesmen of the Nation. His colleagues respected 
him, other men honored him and his friends revere 
his memory. His death occurred at St. Josejjh, 
Mo., on the 23d of June, 18'.»0, and his remains 
were interred at Keokuk, Iowa. 



■^ 




ANDLEY IIOLLISTER, deceased. It is 
by written record that we perpetuate the 
lives and deeds of tho-ie who have passed 
from this earth, and as one who is worthy 
of all respect being paid to his memory, we record 
the sketch of Mr. Hollister. He was a native of 
Ohio, born December 28, 1838, and was a son of 
Samuel C. and Clihie (Duty) Hollister. His father 
was born Ftbruaiv 7, 1811, in Connecticut, and 



his mother was born in Ohio, March 30, 1814. 
His parents were zealous workers in the Christian 
Cliurch. Mrs. Hollister being a woman of excellent 
ability and prominent in public service. 

When only seven years of age our subject was 
deprived of the care anil protection of a mother. 
The first school he ever attended was taught by 
President (Jarfield, and he received fair educational 
advantage:! for that day. His early life was spent 
in the usual mariner of farmer lads, and he worked 
with his father on the farm and in the dairy until 
the breaking out of the late war. On the 21st of 
August, 18G2, he enlisted in Com|jany II, One 
Hundred and I'orty-fifth Pennsylvania Infantry, 
and served until the close of tiie struggle. As 
at home, so on the battle-lield, he was as gen- 
tle as a woman though as brave as a Spartan, 
and never shrank from any diitj- devolving upon 
him. At the first battle of Fredericksburg he re- 
ceived a gunshot wound in the back of the head, 
and for injuries sustained he was awarded a pen- 
sion. At Riciimond he was taken prisoner, but 
succeeded in being paroled within six days after 
his incarceration, and on the 31sl of May, 18G5, he 
received his discharge. 

When peace was dechred and he wa.s mustered 
out of service, Mr. Hollister returned to Pennsyl- 
vania, where he had made his home for some years 
previous, and on the 7th of May, 18C7, was joined 
in wedlock with Khoda J. Burwell, who was born 
in Crawford County, Pa., May 19, 1840. Her 
father, Findley Burwell, also a native of Craw- 
ford County, was born August 19. 1808, and her 
mother, whose maiden name was Sarah Fonner, 
w.as born in Hunterdon County, X. J., August 4, 
1810, but her girlhood days were mostly spent 
in the Keystone State. Both are still living in 
Crawford C0UI1I3', and both are members of the 
Methodist Church. The father is a fanner by oc- 
cupation. Of their family, whicli numbered three 
sons and three daughters, three are yet living. 
Benjamin, one of the number, died from a wound 
received at the first battle of Frederitksburj:. 

Although Mr. Hollister was not so long a lesi- 
dcnt of Jefferson County .is many oiliers. few of 
her citizens were more widely or favorably known. 
In November. 1867, accompanied by hi.s bride of 



I.\ I 



1'iiIMF; Ml' \M> HlOGRAl'lIK AI. AMUM. 



!i few iiiontlis, liu cmiynituil U LSlw.ird .iini iiinilc a 
fuUU'iiiciil about six miles soutli <>f KiiiilifM. 
but afterwiinl ivuiovcd to n fium in IJuclianan 
Township, noar Bctkwith. iiinl l.itor rcniovcd to 
section l".t. wlieic his family now lives, and where 
ho lived until his death. He was a widr awake 
farmer and stoek-rniser. eMter(nisin}j an<l progress- 
ive, and was the introdueer of the first imported 
llolbtein cattle into Jefferson County. His pleas- 
ant home, with its entire surroundin{,'S, indicate<l 
the thrift and industry of the owner, and he was 
readily acectrrted a foremost place among the rep- 
resentative citi/en.*. of the community. In )H)liticnl 
sentiment he was a Republican, and served two 
terms as Township Trustee. He had no bad habits 
and was an inflexible opponent of the liquor traf- 
fic, while both he and his wife were .ictive mem- 
bers of the Christian Church. Open-hearted and <;en- 
erous, he fjavc with a free hand to all who needed 
his aid, nni! for the advancement of educational, 
social and moral interests. His death occurred 
on the •2.-)tli of September. 1880. ^Vhile removing 
llie props from a newly-made cave, it fell in, 
crushing him to death, lie left his family well 
providecl for with a good farm of two hundred and 
seven acres well slocked. Only one child w.-is left 
to share willi llic mother her great loss — Kindley 
('.. who was born May 1."), IHG'.t. A younger son, 
William K., born October 111, 1872. died August 
22, 1878. 






'AMKS nrFl'lKI.D.Su.. deceased, one of the 
honored pimncrs of ^ an Hureri County, lo- 
cated his claim in \'ni\ IJurcn Township, 
then a part of the Terri'.ory of Wisconsin, 
in the autumn of 183G, and the following spring 
removed his family to their new home, accomplish- 
ing the journey by the means of a yoke of oxen 
and a team of horses attached to the same wagon. 
Mr. Dullleld was a native of Maryland. Ills fa- 
ther, however, wr,s born in I'cnnsylvaiiin. lie be- 
came a resident of Mirylaiid and .subsequently 



omigraiid mi liur?eback across the mountains to 
.IcfTerson County, Ohio, where he engaged in trad- 
ing. In 1833, he removed to Fulton County. III., 
and in 1H37. accorapnniod by his wife nml children 
he reached \'au Ruren County, Iowa. His wife, in 
her maidenhood, was Miss Marietta J. Hyerly, a 
native of Pennsylvania. I'nlo them were born ten 
chihlren, as follows: Maria, now Mrs. Funk, of 
Culdwcll. Kingman County, Kan.; John who is 
married, resides in Van Huren County; William, 
who was drowned in 1850, in Henry County; 
George C. ; James, who is married and resides on 
the old homestead; Joseph, who died in N'icksburg, 
.Mi.ss.. in 1849; Elizabeth, wife of Thornton Ma- 
Ihias, of Van Buren Township, Van Buron County; 
J. H., who is married and resides in Jerseyville, 
111. ; Jane, who died in Ohio, at the age of three 
years: and Henry I)., who is married and living in 
Van Buien County. These children are worth}' 
representatives of their honoreil parents and as the 
result of their early training have become useful 
members of society and valued citizens of the vari- 
ous communities in which they make their iiomes. 
James Uullield, coming as he did to \'an Buren 
County in 1837, had to endure the hardships and 
privations of pioneer life, such as grinding their 
own curn for meal, going long distances to market, 
etc. Indians then were more numerous than their 
while neighbors, wild game of all kiiiils was plenti- 
ful and wolves were frequently killed near the set- 
tlement. Neither was it an easy task to transform 
the hitherto unimproved prairie into a rich and fer- 
tile farm, but the work Mr. DuHield accomplished 
through his energy, perseverance and industry. 
His days were greatly taken up by his business in- 
terests, yet he found sullicicnt time to devote to 
public alTairs, especially if any eutcr|)rise for the 
beuelit of the community was the question in hand. 
He did all in his power to promote the interests of 
town and county and was a valued citizen. In po- 
litical scnlimrnt. he was first a Whig and afterward 
a Republican, but never sought or desired political 
preferment. He assisted in the organization of the 
county and forming of the .State; his life has left an 
impress on the community and with the record of 
its luogress and advancement his liistor\' has been 
insi'p:u-ably connected. He dieil at his home in 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



645 



Van Biiren County, in 1876. after a long and use- 
ful life and his wife was called to her final rest ten 
years later. Both Mr. and Mrs. Duffield died in the 
eightj'-sixth year of their age. 



kEMUEL L. WILKINS, who since 1855, has 
resided in Jefferson County, is now en- 
, gaged in farming on section 12, Fairfield 

Townsliip, and is one of the extensive land-owners 
of the community. His possessions consist of 
his home farm of five hundred and ninet3-three 
acres, together with a quarter section in Black 
Hawk Township and five acres in the city of Fair- 
field. 

Mr. Wilkins is a native of Delaware and a son of 
Elijah and Mary Elizabeth (Lockwood) Wilkins, 
who were also natives of the same State. He was 
born on the 23d of January, 1832, in Sussex 
County, and when three years old was taken b^' his 
parents to Preble County, Ohio, where he was 
reared to manhood, receiving such educational ad- 
vantages as the common schools of that day af- 
forded. The family lived upon a farm and in his 
j'outh he became familiar with the manner and 
methods of conducting that business, but since at- 
taining to mature years he has devoted his ener- 
gies to other pursuits and engaged in various 
enterprises. As before stated, the year 1855 wit- 
nessed his arrival in Jefferson County, and until 
1860 he was engaged in teaming. In the spring 
of that year he made a trip to the West, spending 
nine jcars in Colorado, during which time he was 
employed in mining and freighting. In the early 
part of 1869 vvn again find him in Jefferson County, 
and, embarking in the livery business in Fairfield, 
he continued operations in that line for nineteen 
years with marked success. He was a |)opu!ar 
liverv man and his business prospered but in April, 
1888 he retired, and removed to his farm on sec- 
tion 12, Fairfield Township, in March, 1889. 

In that townsliip. on the 14th of April, 1870, 
Mr. Wilkins was united in marriage with Miss 



Susan Dolla Mitchell, daughter of H. B. Mitchell, 
one of the leading citizens of the county. The 
lady is a native of this county hnd by their union 
have been born six children, but they have lost 
one— Frankie M., who died at the age of fifteen 
months. The other children, Frederick A.; Charlie 
L., Lou A.; Effle M. and Mary Anna are with their 
parents. 

This family have a pleasant home in Fairfield 
Township, where hospitality abounds and where 
their many friends are sure of a warm welcome. 
Tlieir circle of acquaintances is large and by all 
who know them they are iield in high regard. In 
Ijolitical sentiment Mr. Wilkins is a stalwart Re- 
publican, and in religious belief his wife is an Epis- 
copalian. 



eAPT. LEROY S. ELiiERT. It is not in the 
loss of treasure, the expenditure of money, 
the creation of an immense debt, the inter- 
ruption to commerce, or the destruction of propert,}- 
that the Christian patriot or tlie humanitarian 
philosopher views the most baleful and lamenluble 
effects of war. To him it exists in the frightful loss 
of life; in youth stricken down at the commence- 
ment of existence; in strong men disabled in a vig- 
orous maturity. He sees it in the new-made graves, 
in the mourning hearts, in the desolate homes that 
are found all over the land. 

Every good citizen is an element of strength to 
society and the State. In the wi«dom, virtue, 
courage, patriotism and intelligence of its citizens, 
more than money, the wealth of a Slate consists; 
and in the death of an individual in whom these 
attributes and these virtues are combined, it suf- 
fers its greatest loss. 

Capl. Leroy S. Elbert, who died of lyi)hiiid 
fever on the steamboat "Citj- of Alton," below .St. 
Louis, September 13, 1863. at the early age of 
twenty-five, was the son of Dr. Elbert, of Van 
Buren County, Iowa. The Captain was bom in 
Lo^au County, Ohio, but his parents removing lo 



646 



POUTUAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



lliis Stnle while lie wsis very young, he becnmc 
thus one of Iowa's own sons, a fine ropiosenlalive 
of ihc noble cliiss of younj;^ men whose valor, in- 
lellijfi'nce and imlriolism have slii'd such a rich 
lustre upon the name *if our .St.-ile. He enteretl 
the military acndiiny at West Point, in June, 1857, 
at the aj;e of eighteen, and graduated with honor. 
July 1. 1861, esteemed by /lis teachers and class- 
mates for his scholarly attainments and the admira- 
ble traits of his character. He was commissioned 
Second Lieutenant in the regular service, and as- 
signed to fluty in what has become known as the 
army of the Potomac, then under Gen. McDowell. 
Within a few days after joining the army, the first 
battle of Bull Hun was fought. For his gallant 
bearing and the soldierly qualities ilisplayed by 
him during that fight, he was promoted to a I-'irst 
Lieutenancj- and placed upon Gen. Pleasantou's 
staff. During the Peninsular campaign of McClel- 
lan he served with fidelity, bravery and distinction 
as Bill to Gen. Kmery. He was subsequentlj' 
transferred to the staff of Gen. .'^tonemari when 
the latter was made Chief of Cava!r3' in the array 
of the Potomac, with whom be continued until the 
dose of the famous raid made by .Sloneman during 
the great struggle of Hooker at Fredericksburg, 
during all of which timeCapt. KIbert displayed the 
same judgment, discrstion and cour.age which he 
had exhibited from the commencement of his mili- 
tary career, and which had secured for hira the 
coididencc and regard of his superior oflicers and 
of the War ]>cpartment at Washington. I'pon the 
remf)val of Gen. Stonenian, Elbert was ijromotetl 
to ft Captaincy and ordered to the command of 
Company (J., 'I'hird Heginicnl 11. S. Cavalry, sta- 
tione<l at Memphis, Tenn. It was while in camp 
there, that, on the I si of September, ho was taken 
ill. Ipon the I>lh he started for the home of his 
parents in Iowa, and upon the morning of the 13lh 
all that was mortal of the Captain became clay, for 
his spirit reluri.ed to the God who gave it. 

We shall attempt no lengthy analysis of Capt. 
Klbert's character. ni>r shall we become his eulo- 
gist. To do it fittingly and well would require an 
abler pen than ours. Rut he needs it not at the 
hands of any. We wdl. for the benefit of the liv- 
ing, not of the dead, mention some of his most 



noticeable characteristics. And first, he was a pa- 
triot, devoled to his Government and country with 
more than filial affection. He watclie<l with con- 
cern ami indignation the smovdilering fires of re- 
bellion bursting forth in the South, and when 
treason culminated in the attack upon Sumter, be 
raised his voice for war. declaring it to be the plain 
duty of the Ciovernment to use every man at the 
nation's command to redress the wrong done our 
rt.ag, vindicate the suprcmacj- of the Government, 
sustain the majesty of the law. punish treason, and 
save the Union from disruption and the country 
from ruin. Anxious to enter the field and lend his 
aid to the Government, he was wilii difficulty per- 
suaded to remain at West Point for the few weeks 
necessary to finish his collegiate course, anil as soon 
as he had graduated, notwithstanding the law gave 
him a furlough for sixty da^ys, andlie ha<l not seen 
his family for three years, he disclaimed this right, 
and hurried to Wjishinglon to place himself and 
his services at the disposal of the Government, not 
that he loved his family less, only his country- 
more. And under all the circumstances, r.hether 
in victory or defeat, he never waned in his support 
of our rulers, or lost faith in the justice and ulti- 
mate triumph of our cause. But again, he was a 
moral man. He governed his life b}- the strictest 
rules of moral rectitude, and always possessing and 
governed by an .active principle of benevolence, 
careful of the character and welfare of others when- 
ever, in the circle of his acquaintance he saw one 
stepping aside from the path of right or dnl3-, and 
entering upon a course that might lead to disgrace 
or infamy, he was always first to warn him of his 
danger and extend the helping hand to bring him 
b.ack to a life of virtue. Better than all, he was a 
Christian; he was of that highest style of man — a 
Christian solilier. A firm and sincere believer in 
the truths of Revelation, he adopted them as his 
rule of .action; as the standard by which he meas- 
ured his life; and whether upon the battle-field or 
in camp he entertained his Christian integrity, and 
expressed his firm assurance that "if this earthly 
house of his tabernscle were dissolved he had a 
building of God, a house not made with hands, 
eternal in the heavens." 

Selilom. if ever'before, has it been our fortune 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



647 



to know a young man wlio was possessed of so 
many aflmirable traits of character and so few 
blemishes; one so universally beloved in iiis life 
and regretted in his death by all that knew iiim, as 
was Capt. Elbert. 

An accomplished scholar, a genial companion, an 
earnest patriot, an affectionate, dutiful son, a kind 
and tender brother, an upright citizen, a brave 
soldier, an efficient talented officer, and a sincere 
Christian, his life was gentle and the elements so 
mixed in him that nature might stand up and say 
to all the world, this was a man. 

>Sur;h as he was, we have lost him. His name is 
another to be added to the long list of the nolile 
dead of our late war. He furnishes another tic to 
bind us to tlie eountr3' and the cause for which he 
offered up his life. God forbid that liis life and 
example should be in vain; that we should falter in 
a cause consecrated by his death. 

In a quiet and secluded spot, near the home of 
his parents, in Van Buren, amid the sorrowful at- 
tention of a large and tearful crowd, consigned we 
to dust tlie bod}' of our noble j-oung Captain, 
mourning the mortal, but confident that the im- 
mortal was at rest in the bosom of his Fatiier and 
his God. 

The foregoing sketch was written by Hon. Sam 
M. Clark, of Keokuk, in October, 1863. 




ON. JOSEPH C. KNAPP, who was among 
the older lawyers and eminent jurists of 
Iowa, settled at Keosauqua throe years he- 
fore the Territory became a State. Through 
nearly all its histor}' as a commonwealth he was 
cons|)icuous in its politics, as well as its jurispru- 
dence. His uame is thoroughly woven into its 
annals, in all cases in a highly creditable manner. 

Our subject was a native of the Green Mountain 
State, and a son of Ebenezer and Irene (Curtis) 
Knapp. born on the 27th of June, 1813, in Berlin, 
Washington County. The Knappb were early set- 



tlers of M.'fsjfichusctts; the Curlises, in Hanover, 
N. U. Ebenezer Knapp was a farmer, a hard-work- 
ing man himself, and reared his children in habits 
of industry. 

Josepii Kna|)p received a good academic educa- 
tion in Montpelier. left his native State in 183.3; 
came as far West as Racine, Wij., then a part of 
Michigan Territory; read law at first witli the Hon. 
Marshall M. Strong, .and afterward with Hon. 
E. G. Ryan, late Chief Justice of Wisconsin; 
practiced a few years in Racine, and in 1843 
pushed westward across the Mississippi River, 
locating at Keosauqua. Van Buren County. He wps 
for some years a member of the noteil law firm of 
Wright, Knapp & Caldwell, his partners being the 
Hon. George G. Wright, of Des Moines, and the 
Hun. H. C. Caldwell, now Judge of the United 
States District Court of Arkansas. It is not often 
that the three members of a law firm rise to such 
distinction. 

Judge Knapp was appointed Prosecuting Attor- 
ncj' by Gov. Clark, in 1846, and Judge of the 
Third Judicial District by Gov. Hempstead in 
1850. He was appointed bj' President Pierce 
United States Attorne}' for the District of low^. in 
18.53; re-appointed b^- President Buchanan, and 
held the office eight consecutive years. To the 
office of Judge of the Second Judicial District he 
was elected in the autumn of 1874, taking the 
bench on the 1st of January, 1875. the term ex- 
tending four years. The Judge had a long expe- 
rience; was very learned in the law; had a natural 
legal mind; was independent as a jurist, and with 
his innate knowledge of what the law was or ought 
to have been, his rulings were usuall}- correct and 
just. At an early day he was a circuit lawyer, 
with an extensive practice in the courts of a num- 
ber of counties. As his home business incre.ased 
he gradually abandoned his circuit practice, ex- 
cept in special cases. To some extent l:e made 
criminal practice a specially, and in that had great 
success. His arguments to jurors were always elo- 
quent and forcible, but deep pathos more than any- 
thing else made his appeals to the jury remarkably 
effective. 

Judge Knapp always affiliated with the Demo- 
cratic |)arty, and figured extensively in the politics 



a A 



l-(i|{Iir\n AM) nioOKAI'lIK AI. aliu.m. 



of llir M:iU-. Ill- wii.s llic 1 )ciiii 'ci .-ilii- <:iiii i I'talt- 

f(ir Siipri'iiio .Imlfje in iNtJ'.i, anil fitr ( luvfrnor in 
1W71, nnil received the voles of the ]>emocratic 
members of tlic (leneral Assembly for I'nite"! Sintes 
Senator at the session of 1H72. 

I'lie .lii<);rc was a Hovnl Arch Mason, and for 
many years a eonsistent menilicr of the Coiigrega- 
lionai C'liurch, and was never known to soil either 
his good Christian name or the ermine. In 1876 
the distinguished honor was conferred upon him of 
being ap|Miinted a member of the commission of 
five [lersoiis. whose fluty it was to investigate the 
eliar;;es brought against the late Riv. Henry Ward 
Heieher. On the lOlh of December. IHIO, he was 
united in marriage with Miss Sarah A. Benton, of 
Krosnuqua. by whom he had three daughters. Keo is 
the wife of Ilobart A. .Stoddard, of Little Hock, 
Ark.: lo is the wife of Fred 11. Hill, of Attica, 
Mich., and Ilauiiah Benton ra.irriod Mr. Harris, an 
attorney of I.amuurc, Dak. 

.Judge Knapp had been in failing health for a few 
years before his death, which occurred from kitlney 
•lisense, on the 27th of April. 1HH2. Ills remains 
were interred at Keosauipin with Ma.sonic honors, 
nn<l his funeral was the largest ever witnessed in 
the city. Mrs. Knap|) is still living and makes her 
home with her youngest daughter. She is a woman 
of cidture and refinement, an atrtive and sincere 
Christian whose inlluence is exerted for the good 
of society generally. 

At n meeting of the members of the Van Buren 
County Bar the following resolutions were unani- 
mously adopted: 

Jiesolfpil, That in the death of .loseph C. Knapp, 
we have lost not only one of our most able mem- 
bers, but one whose reputation has long added 
lustre to our bar. and distinction to the bar of the 
State. One whose successes indicate the prizes (o 
be won in the profession, whose life illuslralcs what 
integrity unil well-ilirected industry may accom- 
plish, and whose great genius might well be coveted 
by the most ambitious. The oldest member of our 
bar. he has long been its acknowledged leader and 
has fallen in its front rank. 

Jifsolvfd, That we will cherish his memory, emu- 
late his example and strive to acquit ourselves of 
the duties of life as faithfully. 

'•Lives of great men all remind us 
We can make our lives sublime, 



And ib-piirtiug leave behind us 
Footprints on the sands of time.' 

Resolved, That we hereby tender our sympathy 
to his fandly, and order that a copy of these resolu- 
tions be presented to his bereavetl wife, and also 
request the District Court of the Second .Judicial 
District of Iowa, that a copy hereof together with 
the preceding biogrMphictil sketch be spread upon 
the records of that court. 

Robert Sloan, 
RiTLRDGE Lea, 
W. A. Work, 
J. F. .Smith, 
Ben JoiissTox, 
W.M. MoonE. 

Committee. 
Date.l April 27, l«)s2. 



,r^ OBKIM' A. DortniLlMV.oneof the early 
.settlers of Jefferson Countv, residing on 




section 8, Cedar Township, was born in 
West .Middletown. Washington Countv, 
Pa., March 16. 1821, and is of Irish-Scotch ile- 
scent. His p.irents, Kilward and Al)igail (Me- 
Comb) Dougherty, were also natives of Washington 

I County, hut his paternal grindparents came from 
Scotland. On his father's side he is of Irish de- 
scent, and on his mother's side of .Scotch. His 
maternal great grandparents were from the same 
country, and his grandfather McComb served in 
the Revolutioniiry War. His parents were married 
in the Ke^'stonc .State, where during the greater 
|iart of his life Edward Dougherty carried on busi- 
ness at his trade of Iniioring. Late in life they came 
to live at the home of our subject. He died in the 
Gray Beard Regiment during the late war. being 
then about sixty-five years of age. His wife die<l 
at the home of our subject at the age of sixty-two 
3'ears. .She was a I'resbyterian in religious faith, 
and in political sentinieul Mr. Dougherty was a 

I Democrat. In their family were eight children, 
four of whom are yet living. 

Robert A. Dougherty, whose name heads this 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



(549 



sketch, is the oldest of the family. He received 
his education in the old time log schoollipuse, and 
at the early age of fourteen years began to m:d<c 
iiis own way in ihe world, farming on the sliares 
with his uncle. In 1840, he started to drive a team 
to Iowa, and on arriving in Ft. Madison, was in- 
duced to continue his journey to this county, ns it 
was then new, and located near the county seat. 
He paid $500 for a quarter-section, wliere he now 
lives, and his first tax was ninety-five cents. In 
the spring of 1841, he returned to Pennsylvania, 
but in 1842 we again find him in this county, 
where he built a round log house, 16x!6 feet with- 
out windows. 

On the 24th of September, 1850, Mr. Dougherty 
was united in marriage with Elizabeth J. Simpson, 
a daughter of Samuel and Mary (Branan) Simp- 
son, the former a native of Pennsylvania, and the 
latter of Ohio. When Mr. Simpson was a hoy, he 
emigrated with his parents to the Buckeye State, 
where he formed the acquaintance of the lady 
whom he made bis wife. She died in Ohio, in tlie 
prime of womanhood. Seven children were born 
of that marriage, of whom two are yet living. Mr. 
Simpson subsequently married Eliza J. Woods, and 
liad a large family. In 1847, they came to this 
county, where he died at the .age of seventy -six. 

Upon his marriage, Mr. Dougherty removed into 
his cabin, where all of his children were born. 
Onlj' two of the six are now living: Milton S., who 
married Jane Dudley, who died leaving one cliild, 
Ethel M.; and Mary E., wife of AVilliam A. War- 
wick. They have one child, Lizzie Mable. 

Mr. Dougherty has been a member of the County 
Board of Supervisors for three years, and has held 
all the township offices. His official duties have 
ever been discharged with promptness and fidelity, 
winning him the confidence and respect of the en- 
tire community. He cast his first Presidential vote 
for Henry Clay, and supported the Whig party un- 
til the rise of the Republican party, which he 
helped to organize in this count}-. Since tiiattirae 
he has been a stanch supporter of its principles. 
His wife is a member of the Presbyterian Chnrcli, 
and he is connected with the Old Settlers' Society, 
and for thirty years has been a member of the Odd 
Fellows fraternity. Three times be has been elected 



to the office of the Justice of the Peace, serving 
six years. For a half century Mr. Dougherty has 
made his home in Jefferson County, and has won 
the warmost regard of all with whom he has come 
in (ontact. 




OL. JAMES THOMPSON, deceased, one of 
the pioneer S( ttlcrsof Jefferson County, wiio 

i^J for many years was a prominent citizen of 
Fairfield, deserves s|)ecial mention in this work. 
He was born in Plattsburg, N. Y.. on the 9th of 
April, 1793, and in his j^outh removed with his 
father's family to Washington County, Pa., where 
he lived until his seventeenth year, when he set- 
tled in Harrison County, Ohio. There he made 
his home some twelve or fifteen years, during 
which time, in September, 1H24, he wedded Mary 
Horken, the marriage being celebrated at New 
Ruraley. His wife was his faithful companion for 
near sixty years, and they were separated by the 
hand of death in Fairfield, in 1882. 

Soon after his marriage Mr. Thompson removed 
to Carrollton, Ohio, where he spent a number of 
years, when, in deference to the wishes of his wife, 
and himself anxious to break loose from a life of 
(lolitics, to which he had become attached, he 
joined the westward march of emigration and came 
with his family to assist in the settling up of the 
great Valley of the Mississippi. He rested for a 
short time in Indiana and then came on to Iowa, 
reaching Fairfield in 1844. In tiiis city he live(i 
until his death, which occurred on the 10th of 
April, 1883, at the advanced age of ninety years. 
He reared a family of seven children and lost one 
in childhood. Of these four are still living, two 
sons in Montana and two dauglilers, Mrs. George 
D. Temple, of Burlington, and Airs. John R. Shaffer, 
of Des Moines. Col. Thompson was in many re- 
spects a remarkable man. Possessed of a singularly 
vigorous intellect, a positive cliar.acter and a mind 
stored with political and historical information^ 
added to a liberal education, he was a man widely 



C.iO 



I'OKTUAir AND BKX'.RAI'IIICAI. AM'.IM. 



known aiirl uiiivpranlly rpspoctwi. There wrs hnnlly 
!i innn in the loiinty who was not nc(iiininle<l with 
him, (inil in early ilnys he wns known to nhnost 
every settler in this part of the ;;tale. His con- 
victions were very stron<;. and he hohl his opinions 
with such force nnd viffor that no man who ever 
cnine in contact with him coiiifl ever forget him. 
lie was a stanch supporter of Democratic jtrinci- 
plcs. nnd thousjh after his arrival here he largely 
eschewed politics, he was liy nature so positive in 
his convictions that from time to time he lent 
his aid to forward the cause of the party to which 
he was a life-lonj; adherent. During his residence 
in Ohio he was a .Justice of the Peace for several 
years, and for two terms represented Carroll 
County in the State Senate, where he made a gooil 
record. Afterward he came within one vote of 
securing the nomination for Congress. I'"or a 
number of years he had command of a Militia 
company nnd thcreliy won the title of Colonel. 
During his residence in Kairlield he served as .Jus- 
lice of the I'ence for some years, and was several 
times the Democratic candidate in this county for 
the Legislature. 




i;V. THOMAS Ar(;rsil'S IU:NFR0, pas- 
tor of the Christian Cluirch of Milton. Van 
liuren County, was born in Madison County, 
III., May I, IH.'i.i, and is a son of William 
and Kli/.alieth (Hall) limifio. His father was horn 
in Iventucky, .Inly 23, l.HOO, nnd was of Scotch de- 
scent. His mother, a native of North Carolina, 
w.is born August.'JI, 18()<5. In their family were 
seven sons nnd four daughters and with the ex- 
ception of two all are yet living. Accompanied 
by his wife and children, Mr. Henfro in IH^.'i, mii- 
gratvd to the Territory of Iowa and located a claim 
in Polk County. Two years later he removed to 
Eddyville, nnd in 1849 we find him living in Oska- 
loosa, where he was engaged in the manufaciurc 
of brick and in bricklaying. He removed to .Slew- 
iirdville, Mo., in 1858, but after two vears returned 



to Iowa nnd located in Indianola. His death oc- 
curred .June 27, 1886. when about eightj'-siz years 
of age and bis wife die<l November 2, 18(>5. 

Our subject was the sixth in onier of birth in 
the family. He wns educated in the Oskaloosa High 
School under Prof.* Drake and became a bricklayer, 
which trade he followed for some time. On the 
7th of September, 185D. in Abingdon, Jefferson 
County, he was united in ninrriagc with Miss Kmma 
Plouglie, daughter of Jacob and .Jane (Caldwell) 
Ploughe, both of whom were natires of Kentucky, 
the former born May 26, 1800. and the latter 
March G, 1800. The family came to Iowa in Aug- 
ust, 1848. There were ten daughters and one son 
and Mrs. Renfro is the youngest. Her father died 
January 23, 1867, and her mother passed away Sep- 
tember 9. 1878. To Mr. and Mrs. Renfro hare been 
born the following children: Klizabctli .lane, born 
October 27, 1861, is now the wife of Fred KneiscI, 
of Clark County, Mo.; Florence Viola, born April 
25, 1866, is the wife of Alfrc<l C. .Jolly, of Milton; 
and Alice, born June 24, 1860. died on the 18th of 
July of that year. 

Shortly after his marriage, Mr. Renfro settled i.i 
Lucas County, Iowa, where he engaged in farming 
until thinking it was his duty to respond to the 
country's call for troops he enlisted in August, 
1862, becoming a member of Company- G, Thirty- 
fourth Iowa Infantry, from which he received an 
honorable discharge August 15, 11^65. He took 
part in a number of important engagements, in- 
cluding the attack njion ^'icksburg, the battle of 
Arkansas Post and others. After the war he came 
to Van Huren County and settled in Jackson Town- 
ship, where he engaged in farming until 1875. He 
began preaching in 1871, but did not devote him- 
self entirely to that work until fouryeirs later. He 
has had charge of the church in Mt. .Sterling, Lawn 
Ridge, Prairie View and .Salem, Mo., and other 
places in Iowa. For nine years he was employed 
in Lawn Ridge and the call was again extended to 
him. He has now had charge of the cluirch in Mil- 
ton for four yc.'irs and is doing excellent work as 
its pastor. He is respected throughout the com- 
munity and is greatly loved by the [leople of his 
own church as is indicated by his continued ser- 
vice. He has ever taken an active part in temper- 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



60 1 



ance work, and in all reforms and interests for the 
upliuilding of the coninuinitv and the advance of 
its general welfare. In politics he is a Republican 
having supported that party since its organization. 



^ lilLLlAM JOHi> 
W^ County, Iowa. 



;^ILLIAM JOHNSOX. deceased, is numbered 
honored pioneers of Van Buren 
He was born in Dauiihin 
County. Pa., in 1789, and died at his home in this 
county in Septemlier, 1845, respected by all who 
knew him. Little is known concerning the earlj' 
history of the faniilj' but it was undoubtedly es- 
tablished in America at an early da}'. In 1801, 
when our subject was a lad of twelve ^-ears, he 
accompanied liis parents to Cincinnati, Ohio, which 
at that time consisted of a few log cabins on the 
b.'ink of the Ohio River, not a frame house having 
then been built in the place. Soon afterward the 
family made a location in Warren County, about 
fort}' miles north of Cincinnati, where William 
grew to manhood. In that community he also 
formed the acquaintance of Miss Nancy Crain 
whom he afterward married. The year 1829 wit- 
nessed the removal of himself and family to Foun- 
tain County, Ind., but previous to this time, while 
still a resident of Ohio, he enlisted in the War of 
1812 and was placed in charge of a provision train. 
He was near St. Mary's at the time of Hull's sur- 
render but succeeded in making his escape and 
when hostilities were brought to a close was dis- 
charged from the service. 

After some seven years spent in Fountain 
County, Ind., during which time he devoted his 
attention to farming, he again resumed his west- 
ward journey and in 1836 made a settlement in 
Monmouth, 111., but in the spring of the following 
j'ear, accompanied by his son William .1., he crossed 
the Father of Waters and made a location in what 
is now Van Buren County on land which is now 
the property of Robert Watt. They erected a log 
cabin, 18x20 feet, hewing out puncheon for the 
floor and when preparations for a home were com- 



plete sent for the family which arrived in August 
of the same year. Then began life in earnest. 
Hardships and privations incident to pioneer life 
were to be borne, but these they overcame or en- 
dured uncomplainingly and in course of time the 
combined efforts of parents and children met with 
a reward which attends earnest and constant labor. 

In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Johnson were five 
sons and five daughters, all of whom lived to ma- 
ture years. .John C. married Sarah Petrie and set- 
tled in Kansas, where his death occurred in 1887; 
William .1. will be mentioned more fully in this 
volume; Perry is a resident of California; Mary K.. 
wife of^ Andrew George, died in California; Mar- 
garet ,T. married Hiram Willetts and since 18.50 
they have m.ade their home in California; Indiana 
died at the age of eighteen years; Joseph A., who 
wedded Kate Van Cleve, died in "V'an Buren 
County; Hattie A., wife of Joseph A. Whiteley, 
died in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa; Thomas B. married 
Miss Perkins for his first wife, and Josephine Whit- 
more became his second wife. 

The parents of this family ranked among the 
best citizens of Van liuren County. Their lives, 
though quiet and unostentatious were marked b}' 
u|)rightness in all tilings and their many commend- 
able qualities secured them a large circle of friends. 
Both have been called to their final rest but they 
will be remembered by many of the earl}' settlers 
and in order to perpetuate their memory we record 
this sketch. 



-^-*-^ e 




ON. WILLIAM ERNK.ST MASON, of 
Chicago, is one of Van Buren County's 
most eminent pioneers. He is a native of 
Franklinville, Cattaraugus County, N. Y.. 
born July 7. 18.i0. and is the son of Lewis J. and 
Nancy (Winslow) M.ason. In 18.")8 the family 
moved to Bentonsport, Van Buren County, where 
the father died in 18(55. the mother surviving him 
ten years, dying in 187.5. William being thus early 
thrown upon his own resources, developed nn inde- 



6:i2 



PORTRAIT AND HIOGBAPHICAL ALBUM. 



peiwlence of clinrBCtcr which has marked nil his 
public acts. Ilia educntiou was oblninrd in the 
piililli- sihools. with two yi-ars' attendance at liir- 
ininulinni College. He afterwards taught during 
two winters in district schools, and in I8CH went to 
Des Moines where he was employed the ne.vt two 
years in teaching. Having determined to enter the 
legal profession, in 1 87U he began his law studies 
ill the olHcc of Hon. Tliomas F. Wilhrow, of Des 
Moines. Mr. Withruw soon afterwards removed to 
Chicago. Mr. Mason accompanying him, remaining 
in his oflice one yenr, and then entering the ollice 
of Hon. .lohn N. .Icwett, where he continued his 
studies and practice five years. He then formed a 
parlner?liip with .ludge M. R. M. Wallace. The 
lirtn hail an extensive practice. As an advocate 
Mr. .Mason is noted for his su|)erior qualities, being 
nuMiben-fl among the best jury lawyers of Chicago. 

ridiiiiallv. Mr. M.ison is an earnest and eulliu- 
siastic Republican. He has taken an active part in 
many politiial campaigns, and has served his 
adnpteil city and State in the Illinois Legislature 
ill both branches, and as a member of Congress 
from the Third District. In the latter body he 
took front rank, and was largely instrumental in 
securing for Chicago the World's Fair. 

Mr. Mason possesses ])ersonal and soei.il quali- 
ties of n liigh order, and lias altiacted to himself 
mai;y friends. He was married in 1873 to Miss 
,)iilia Ivlilh White, daughter of Ceorge White, a 
wholesale merchant of Des Moines. 

.Mr. Mason always loves to talk about his life and 
his experience in Van Buren County, and makes it 
a point to visit his old home in Bentonsporl once 
a year, or oftener, if possible. In speaking of this 
old town the other d.ay, to the writer of this arti- 
cle, he said: " We went to Benlons|iort in 1858. It 
was after llie panic of '.■)", and my father moved 
!■• Bentonsport to start anew. At that time the 
railrnail known as the Keokuk. Fort Des Moines it 
.Minnesota Railrniid r:iii from Keokuk to Bentons- 
porl. and my father, who worked in :i wngon shop 
for seventy-live cents per day, made the tables, 
chairs, bedsteads and furniture necessary to start a 
boariling house, known as the ' Western Kxcliange.' 
The oilier hotel, known as the • Ashland House,' 
was kept by a man nanietl .lohn I'. Kobinson, but 



we soon got started, an^l in a year or l\\v bought 
out the Ashland House, where I spent the most of 
m3- life as a boy. 

"The location of Bentonsport makes it fine of the 
most beautiful spots in the world, in a sharp, well- 
defined valley along the Des Moines River, and, 
although it has gone down in a business and finan- 
cial way, yet the i)eople there, and in the county 
are the most generous and warm-hearted people I 
eTer knew. 

"The best teac!;er I ever had was .1. D. Hornby, 
who taught the public school in Bentonsport for 
many years. I went to school after that to the 
Birniiiigham Ciillege, but most of my old friends 
there remember how I graduated by going in the 
front door and being kicked out at the back. 

".Some of my pleasantest recollections are con- 
nected with Van Buren County, and it is full of 
sjjlendid homes and splendid people. My parents 
were buried at Bentonsport, and I presume that is 
why I will never lose the interest I have in the 
place and in the people." 



/OHN 1*. CAMPBKLL, one of the prominent 
farmers of Des Moines Township, Jefferson 
County, residing on section 34, was born in 
[\i^J Fayette County, Pa , in 1843, his parents 
being James and Rebecca (Hanshaw) Campbell, 
both of whom were also natives of Fayette County. 
By occu|)ation his father was a farmer and followed 
that business throughout his entire life. Coming 
to Van Buren County, Iowa, in 18.5,'). he purciiased 
two hundred ,ind forty acres of partially improved 
land and made his home upon that farm uiilil his 
ileath, which occurred in 1872. His wife survived 
him a number of years, and died at the home of 
our subject in 1885. .Mr. Campbell was a ((iiiet 
and unassuming, yet valued citizen who conscien- 
tiously discharged every duty devolving upon him 
and aided in the growth and upbuilding of the 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



653 



cuuiity's best- interests, lie took little part in 
[loiitifal affairs, eastinor his vote first with the Wliiij 
liaity aarl tiien with tlie Republioan party. The 
cliildren born of liis union with Rebece.t Ilansiiaw 
were A. E . now Mrs. Fender, of Cedar Township. 
Van Buren County; E. B. who is married and 
engaged in farming in Cedar Township; Lewis who 
is married and resides in Harrisburg Township, 
Van Buren County. 

Tlie fourth and youngest member of this family' 



wife survived iiim until November, 1887, when 
she too was called home. He was an earnest worker 
in the Republican party, an inducntial .advocate of 
its principles and both he and his wife were 
members of the P>ee Will Baptist Churcli. They 
had been residents of this section of Iowa, for many 
years and were numbered among its hiylily respected 
citizens. 

From 18G7 until 1874, Mr. Campbell carried on 
farming operations in Van Buren County, but in 



is John r. Campbell, the gentleman whose name the latter year, he removed to Liberty Township, 



heads this sketch. His early boyhood days were 
spent in his native State where he began his educa- .■ 
tion, but at the age of twelve years, he accompanied ' 
his parents to Van Buren County, Iowa, and in the 
community his school life was ended. The advan- 
tages here afforded were not very extensive in 
character but subsequent reading and experience 
have made him a well informed man. In 1863, 
when twenty years of age, he enlisted at Birming- 
ham in C'ompau3' C, of the Eighth Iowa Cavalry, 
for three j'ears service or during the remainder of 



Jefferson County, which continued to be his home 
for fiftsen years. Only since 1889, has he mj.de 
his home in Des Moines Township, but in the few 
months which have since elapsed he has made 
many excellent improvements .and now has a fine 
farm of one hundred and fifty acres, the greater 
part of which is under a high state of cultivation. 
He has witnessed almost the entire growth of Van 
Buren and Jefferson Counties and has identified 
himself with its best interests. His memory goes 
back to the days when Keokuk was their market 



the war. After being mustered in at J^avenport, and when the country round about was so sparsely 

settled that one might ride long distances without 
meeting a single individual. His father, in that 
early day, was the owner of the only story and a 
h.alf house in this section which throughout the sur- 
rounding country was known as the •• high house." 
Great changes have taken place, transforming .South- 
eastern Icwa into one of the richest and best por- 
'tions of the Slate. It might be claimed as an 
honor to be a witness of this growth but to be a 
participant in the wonderful development and. up- 
building, is a favor not shown to every one, bu# 
among the latter class m.ay be enrolled Mr. Camp- 
bell. In polities, he is a stalwart Republican and 
an influential delegate of the county conventions. 
He labors for the success of the part}' .as he wishes 
its principles to beconie laws and not for any pecuni- 
ary benefit which he might receive as an ottirc- 



the regiment was assigned to the Army of the 
Cumberland add participated in Hood's campaign 
under Gen. Thomas. In 1865, Mr. Campbell was 
under the command of Gen. Wilson and took part 
in what is known as AVilson's cavalry raid. He 
belonged to what is known as the lost brigade and 
at the close of the war, in August, 1865, received 
his discharge in Clinton, Iowa. 

Returning to Van Buren County, Mr. Campbell 
embarked in farming for himself and haying made 
a start, he completed his arrangements for a home 
b}- his union with Miss Naomi Jordan. The mar- 
riage was celebrated in Henry County, in 1867, 
after which the lady was at once installed as mis- 
tress of the new home. She is a native of F.ayette 
County. Pa., and a daughter of Roger and Sarah 
Ann (Lindsey) Jordan. Her father was a native 



of Maine, but in Pennsylvania became acquainted ! holder, for he has never sought or desired |)ublie 



with and married Miss Lindsey, who was born in 
Maryland. In 1856, they came to Van Buren 
County, locating in Ceilar Township, but after a 
year thej- removed to Hillsboro, Henry County, 
where Mr. Jordan engaged in merchandising until 
his death, which occurred December 19. 1873. His 



preferment. 

Mr. and Mrs. Campbell hold membership in the 
Mission Baptist Church of Fairfield. They arc 
parents of eight children — Lucy Iowa, Orris C. 
Anna J.. Alta B., Lu Ethel. Hany, Arthur .S. and 
James Harrisuu. As one of the representative 



r..-, I 



rf)RTi;\ir and r.iiii;i; aphk \r, amum. 



iMiiiilii - lit llic ('(Uiiity, wIhpsc iiuiiiIm i> :iii' \viiiUi\ 
tlif U'liih iciriinl leiuleiTil tlii-ii), llii- Cainiilu-lls de- 
stTve ri'iirescnUilion in this volume and we ilu'ii-- 
foie rt'i-unl tins skclcli. 



()IIN K. WALLKU. ;irocer and pn»i)ri>.'tor 
(if a restaurant and piibliu liall in Milton, is 
iiun)lji'iT<l aiiiiin^r the pionours of Van Ituien 
\^J C iiiinty <)f l>i4;'). lie was boin in Sussex 
County. Del.. Maieli 2(5, 1826, and is a son of Will 
iiini and Mary (Kin<r) Waller, who were also na- 
tives of Delaware anil of Sioteh descent. 

When the subject of this sketch was seven years 
of afio he removed with his parents fioni the .State 
of his nativity-, anil journeying westward, settled 
in N'ersailles, Marion County, Ohio, where be grew 
to niaiihodd. reeeiviu!; such educational advantnycs 
as the coninion sehuols of that day afforded. In 
isi.i the family iini!.'rated to Iowa, making the 
journey by team, and arrived in Van Huren County 
on the 2Kth of Seplemlier. Our subject settled in 
Ch(i)uesl Township, where he engaged in fanning 
ihitil the spring of 1M49. when he was employed 
on board a steamboat on the .Mississip|)i Hiver, to 
whii-h pursuit he devoted his energies for two 
years, or until the spring of 1H.51. when he crossed 
the plains to California with mule teams. He was 
engaged in mining in the gold fields of the Paciflc 
Coast from .luly G, IK.il. until August 18. 1855, 
when he returned to his ln)mc by the way of the 
Isthmus c>f I'aii.iiua and New York. His father 
died of cholera on the 2Hlh of .September of that 
year, and .lolin K. took charge of the farm in Che- 
rpieal Township, belonging to the estate, which he 
operated from the spring of 18.'>G until 1864. On 
the 21st of September of the former year in Van 
Huren County, he was united in marriage with Miss 
Lucinda (larilner, a native of Kush County, Ind., 
and a daughter of Aaron and Clarissa (iardner. 
Two children, a son and a daughter, have been 
born of their union — Clara, who is now the 
wife of John W. Ward, a resident of Grandview. 



I;|||ll;li^^ ( luinly. >. I)ak.; and William (.lay, who 
married Miss Alice Dye and is a re.«iidenl of Isabel, 
Kan. 

In the spring of IMil Mr. Waller removed to 
Montana Territory with bis family, and at Vir- 
ginia City. Helena, and other points engaged in 
mining. In May, 18GG, he returned to Iowa and 
soon afterward he entered the .service of the Chi- 
cago <fe Rock Island Railroad Company as local 
agent at Summit, \'an Biiren County, where he 
continued for three yer.rs. His next vocation was 
the grocery business, in which he embarked in 
Blootufield, Davis County, carrying on ojierations 
in that line until 1874, when he went to the lilack 
Hills. After one summer spent in that mining re- 
gion without satisfactory results, he returned to 
Van Hurcn County, Iowa, locating in Milton, where 
he has since been engaged in the grocery business. 
He is also proprietor of a restaurant and public 
hall. 

On the 11 til of March, 1880. in this city, Mr. 

Waller was united in man iage with Mrs. Emma 

■ 

I Ruth (iroves. widow of John (irf)ves, and a daugh- 
I ler of William King. The l.idy was born in .Sns- 
I sex County, Del., and in 1841 came with her 
I parents to \'an liuren County, where she lias since 
! made her home. In politics Mr. Waller is a 
Democrat, and socially, is a member of Aurora 
Lodge, No. 50, A. F. & A. M.. also of Jackson 
Lodge, No. 25, K. l\, both of Milton. He is rec- 
ognized as one of the enterprising business men 
of that place and is highly esteemed by his fellow- 
cilizens. 



T. TILFORD, who resides on section 25, 
Round Prairie Township, is one of the hon- 
ored pioneers of \'an Huren County. It was 
on the 16th of May, 18.'{6. when his family, 
consisting of his parents, James and I'olly (Work- 
man) Tilford and six children, reached South- 
eastern Iowa and located in this community. Al- 
most this entire jwrtion of the State was then in its 
primitive condition, few settlements had been 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



655 



made, and scarcely anotlicr one of llie pioneers of 
that year are left to tell tlie story of frontier life in 
Van Biiren County. 

Mr. Tilford was born in Adair County, Ky., in 
1826, and was the third in order of birth in his 
family. He was therefore a lad of ten summers at 
the time of their westward emigration. The jour- 
ney was made with teams of oxen from Morgan 
County, and on reaching their destination tiiey 
settled upon what is now the farm of our subject. 
For supplies and flour they had to go to Morgan 
Count}', 111., a distance of about one hundred and 
forty miles, which trips were made with ox teams 
and often required from seven to ten days. Indians 
were far more numerous than the while settlers, and 
months often passed without their seeing a white 
woman except the members of their family. Such 
were the surroundings of Joseph Tilford in the days 
of his boyhood and youth. His parents resiiled 
upon the old homestead until called from this life. 
The mother died in 185fi, and the father in 1858. 
Their children were Sarah, wife of Thomas Lam- 
birth, whose sketch appears upon another page of 
this volume; Robeit, a farmer of Mahaska County, 
Iowa; Joseph, our subject; Harriet, wife of Bruce 
Frame, of Round Prairie Township, Van Buren 
County; Mary, now Mrs. Humpbre}-, of Round 
Prairie Township, and Elizabeth, now Mrs. Grady, 
of Macon County, Mo., who are twins. 

J. T. Tilford bore his share in the hardships and 
trials of pioneer life and aided in the arduous task 
of developing a farm. In the autumn of 1848 he 
left home and was united in marriage with Matilda 
A. Andrews, daughter of AVilliain and Elizabeth 
(Toll) Andrews, and a native of Illinois. The 
following spring they removed to Marion County, 
where he entered two huntlred acres of Govern- 
.Tient land, to which he has since .added an eighty- 
acre tract. That farm he partially improved and 
made his home for fourteen years, when he re- 
turned to his olil homestead on account of the death 
of his parents. He is now the owner of eighty 
acres of well-improved land, constituting the oldest 
farm in the county. No one is better informed on 
pioneer life in Southeastern Iowa than Mr. Tilford. 
He was a scholar in the first school taught in the 
county, which met in a rude log building, the 



dimensions of which were 16x18 feet. A large Ore- 
place occupied one entire end, the floor was of 
puncheons and the seats were made of slabs of bass- 
wood. One log having been removed the aperture 
was covered with greased paper and served to light 
the entire building. Mr. Tilford is a member of 
the Old Settlers Society of Henry County, and in 
politics be is a Democrat. His children, two in 
number, are John, who married Miss Eleanor 
Smith, and is engaged in farming in Henry County; 
and William, who resides at home. 



^ jbARD LAM.SON. Having subscribed for 
\^j/j the Jefferson County Album and being 
^/^ called upon for a sketch of my life, let me 
state that I was born September 7, 1820, in the Log 
School District, in the town of Sterling, ten miles 
north of Worcester, Worcester County, Mass. I 
lived there in my parents' home upon their small 
farm until I was twelve, working some on the farm 
and in my father's scythe sneath shop, where he 
invented and perfected the crooked scythe sneatli. 
I was " licked" because I played loo much and 
worked too little. I \vcnt to the district school 
some and again was whippe<l because I did not 
stud}' more. I went to the Baptist Church and 
was scared enough to make a sage, if fright would 
make a dunce wise. I was also taught to fear God « 
there in order to make me love him, but the more 
they licked and scared, the less I loved and knew, 
and if ray father had not made fun of their scare 
stories, I think they would have licked and scared 
what little sense and might I had out of me to 
make a good boy. At twelve, my father took me 
to Carnington. Hampshire County, Ma.ss.. to work 
in his scythe sneath shop. There too I went lo 
school some until seventeen, and went to church 
and Sunday-school to be trained in (he fear of God 
to make me love him, but there too my father's 
confiding trust in God's loving purpo.se to reform, 
not to confirm erring children in wrong, finally 
helped me to love anil reform some. I wanted an 



G5i; 



poirrKAii \Ni) i;i<im;.M'I11Cal alium. 



eiliiuntioi) to lici-oine n prfiiL-licr, l>iit fuilnr lliod^'lii 
I was loo prouil. nnibilious niul liizy to make a iiai-- 
fiil minister, so at sevi'iitoen, he |trnve me ^100 to 
come to Hiiiliii<.'ton. the ca|>ital of Wisconsin 
Territory at that time, now Hnriiii<,'ton, Iowa. I 
arrived Decemher 6, 1837. but did not obtain work 
atjfovernnient laml surveying,' as I lioped, but found 
work, lirst as a porter and then as a clerk, with 
better wafics than 1 expected. I gave up my land 
surveying enterprise and continued cicrkinsj alxnit 
nine years until my health failed. I Ihounht then 
that 1 was broke, but I fouml that I could think 
and that I knew enoiiirh of l)usiiiess to conduct ex- 
chanf:!* of products* profitably between the upper 
and lower Missi>sippi River, and that I had cre<iit 
enough with my oltl employers to .lid me in effect- 
ing exchanges upon a moderate scale until near the 
close of the Mexican War, in 1K48. 

In New Orleans, in the spring of that year I 
made some investments in land warrants and in the 
summer openerl an oHlce in St. Louis for the 
prosecution of tlie land warrant business. After 
that I opened olllces in Burlington an<l in Fairfield, 
for conducting the sale and loan of land warrants. 
As for the manner in which I had conducted ray 
business, it has always depended upon the mood 1 
w.ns in, whether I was more or less greedy. When 
I charged the current high rates I felt like a hog. 
and I guess that many who paid them thought T 
was one. Wlien I charged one half or one fourth 
the current rale and reduceil my own expenses to 
correspond with my income, folks said I was a 
crank or crazy, but I was not so crazy us to run 
heels over head in debt to make money to splurge, 
or to court or incur bankruptcy. 

With the humble, industrial and economical help 
of my present wife, we have raised a large family 
of boys and girls who are mostly niarried and try- 
ing, so far as 1 know, with the help of Goil, to 
leail useful lives. Of my three deceased wives, 
sulllce it to say, they were good enough for me, 
anil 1 liked all well enough to seek another, although 
I thought each time that I could never fin.) another 
to replace my liws. 1 have i\ot joined any church 
because I have not fouml one which gives me that 
freedom of search and individuni action which I 
crave and need for mental growth ; and because I 



don't want to s|H'nil or be spent in substituting 
("hristiai.ity with mere churchanily, as I under- 
stand both ; anil bec.Tiise I believe that speech 
prayer to (lod as practiced by the churches, as if 
(lod does not know or is faithless to do what is 
best for his children without speech prayer, is 
neither wise nor reverent toward (Jod; and because 
growing charity among intelligent sectarians is 
making them less sectarian, so that I enjoy sincere 
converse in the spirit of truih with them for mutual 
improvement, without much \\ hinderance from 
dogmatic, sectarian faith, though I am not a church 
raeml)er. As a rule, I have been treated as well by 
others through life as I have treated them, so that 
1 can't complain of others without making com- 
l)laint against myself. As this would not be 
" taffyk)gical" in a biographical album. 1 will make 
no complaint at having no oflices of honor or profit 
pressed upon me against my will. Hut I have 
accepted some such ollices as road supervisor and 
the like when no others would serve. When jogged 
by a good fiiitlifid Christ-an minister to diffuse 
useful knowledge bj' means of books for general 
use, 1 worked hard to start the Jefferson County 
Library in Fairfield in 18.'j.3,a!id I went to Boston. 
by request of the Librar3' Association, to buy the 
first instalment of books, having first provided 
that I should secure wiser minds than mine, there 
to niaki' Uj) the list ; and to their wise selection 
and to .lefferson County's people's appreciation of 
the books, subsequ^Mitly came that warm support 
by the appreciators, to which Fairfield now owes 
the existence of the largest, best and most widely 
read public library in any town of its size in Iowa 
if not in the United .States, so say better judges 
than I. But among the most ditticidt official duties 
which I have elected mj'self to perform out of 
ollice is that of railway regulation, so as to tax 
corporations the same as private [iroperty and 
suppress railway rate discrimination and extortion, 
'riiough reason, justice and the public welfare re- 
quire the adoption of these mcsisures ; and although 
they are easy to understanil and to apply and are 
fair toward all, yet free passes and other special 
transportation privileges to influence influential 
citizens, still defeat the return of our most intellig- 
ent and faithful public servants to ollice, who like 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



657 



our late Gov. Lairabee, mean praclical leforra. But 
I still hope that oui- induential men will sec and 
correct their mistake before it is too late. I would 
present you a photograph of my phiz, if it was as 
good looking as my wife's and she would consent 
to the presentation of hers. 



^ 



^/OSEPH WARREN is a native >f County 
Wexford, Ireland, born July[l'2, 1814. 
His parents were Christopher and Sarah 
Warren, who were l)oth natiTes of Wexford 
County. His father was a farmer by occupation, 
to which pursuit Joseph was reared. The schools 
of that locality not being good he received but a 
limited education which however he largely sup- 
plemented by reading and observation. He remained 
at home assisting his father in the management 
and cultivation of the farm until he was twenty- 
five years of age. On tlie 17th of February 1840, 
he married Miss Ann Pierce who was also a native 
of County Wexford. After his marriage he en- 
gaged in farming for himself, and continued to suc- 
cessfully operate a large farm until his emigration 
to America. That he thoroughly understood all 
branches of agriculture is attested by the fact that 
he has in his possession a silver medal, that was 
presented to him by the Agricultural Association 
for being the best farmer in the county. In the 
summer of 1853, he decided to seek a home in the 
New World, and with his wife and four children, 
sailed for America, landing at New Orleans, and 
cjnlinuing his journey, arrived at St. Louis on the 
26th of December of that ^-ear. In the spring of 
1854, he landed in Van Buren County. He was 
not without means, for upon his arrival he had 
about $3,000, as the result of his successful tenant 
farming in his native land. He located in Vcr. 
non Township, where be bought one hundred 
and twent}- acres of land and began the de- 
velopment of a farm. His labors were success- 
ful, and he continued to increase his posses 
sions until he hecrame the owner of seven hun- 



dred acres. He had been in the county but a 
few years, when the people recognizing his 
ability and worth>s a citizen elected lilm to 
the olBce of Township Sui)crvisor, and tlie Coun- 
ty Board elected him President of that body. 
He served his constituents faithfully. He was sub- 
sequently elected Justice of the Peace, but not car- 
ing to act in that capacity he held the ofllce but a 
few years. 

Mr. and Mrs. Warren became parents of seven 
clnldren, four of whom grew to mature years and 
are yet living, viz; Christopher, who is a farmer of 
Vernon Township; Ellen Jane who is the wife of 
Samuel II. Warren, a successful farmer of Vernon 
Township, and Sarah who wedded Samuel Herron, 
of \'an Buren Township, Mr. Warren has given 
his children good educational advantages, aud pro- 
vided each with a good farm, though he still re. 
tains three hundred and forty acres for his owii 
use and maintenance. Idleness is no part of liis 
nature; he has always been industrious, and though 
amply al)le to lay aside all business cares. »nd spend 
his declining years in ease and luxury, he still keeps 
himself employed looking after his farms aud stock, 
not so much as a source of profit, as for the pleas- 
ure itaflfords him. He has acted as guardian for sev- 
eral orphan children, an 1 administrator for the 
settlement of a number of estates, and in every 
case his course has been marked by the strictest in- 
tegrity. In his many and varied business transac- 
tions he has never had a lawsuit on his own account. 
He has been a consistent member of the Methodist 
Episcopal Church ever since be came to the coun- 
ty, as was also his good wife, whose loss he was 
called upon to mourn in 1882. 

In the summer of 1888 Mr. Warren visited his 
native land, and spent about live weeks in travel- 
ing in that country, and visiting many places of 
interest, notably the beautiful "Lakes of Killarney." 
and the famous '-Blarney Castle." On his return 
to Iowa he felt more strongly than ever his pref- 
erence for the land of his adoption to that of bis 
nativity. In the public questions of the day he 
has always taken an interest, and in national elec- 
tions has supported the Rcpuhlicaa party. Me la 
a libenil supporter of the church and other deserv- 
ing institutions. To the poor and needy he is ■ 



r 



6i>H 



l'ni;ii{ Ml \\i> l;i(n.i;.\nii( \l. M.iUM. 



frieiiil. to wlioiu lie dispenses I'lianty w lUi ;;(.MiiiiMe 
Irish li(»>i|>itnlil.V : l>y reason of a •jood ronstilntion, 
correet anil tein|)erate lialiiu he lins by several 
years «x<-ee'ie(l man's iilloUecl lliree-seore and ten 
and is still well preserved. !iiiil in tlio enjuynient 
of liis faciillieii l)utli pliysiiiil and uientul. lie can 
now look l»aek over a lony. I'lisy and well-spent life 
of iisefulne-is, with the pleasant consciousness of 
liaviii" in all lliiiiys lioneslly endeavored to perform 
lli^* full iliilv to his (lod. to his fellow-men. to his 
family and to himself. 

"fiood actions crown Ihem.selves with l.tstinz days. 
Who well deserves, needs not another's praise." 



'>^^^^^- 



^ L I.IL ^ 1.. CLAUK is a progressive farmer 
and representative citizen of Liberty Town- 
ship, .lefferson County, his home being on 
^J section 2'J. He was born in lielniont 

County. Ohio, on the 7th of April, 1H24. and was 
a son of Hohert and Kehecca (Lindsey) Clark. He 
married Kchecea Lindsey. whose grandfiilher was 
t.'iken prisoner and forced into the lirilish service 
ill Kiigland. but he escaped imd joined the Amer- 
ican forces, (ightiiig under (Jen. Washiiiiiton. For 
some years Robert anil Rebecca Clark made their 
home in Ohio, but in IH.'/J left the Buckeye .State 
and became residents of \'aii Buren County, Iowa, 
where he engaged in farming. Their children 
were: Madison, who is now living in Ollnmwa; 
.lulius, whose name he:ids this sketch : Klizabeth, 
who died III Wapello County, in IHHl; .Joseph, 
who died ill the army in IH(i2; .lohn, who came 
to Iowa, but dieil at Arkansas I'ost during the 
War of the Rebellion ; Waterman, who was a resident 
of KIkhart County, Ind., .Samuel, who died while 
in the service of his country during the late war; 
Caroline, who married W. R. Smith, of \'an Buren 
County, and died in Crawford County, Kan., in 
the spring of IH7l;aiid (Jeorge. who met his death 
ill the engagement at .Mobile, .Via. The day be- 
fore the battle he wrote home "to-morrow we 
clijirge Mobile," little thinking that it would be his 
last message, lie left two little boys who grew 
to manhood wailing for news of a father who never 
came. 

'I'he subject of this sketch,.! uli us L. Clark, spent 
the days of his boyhood and youth in the .State of 
hi.s nativity. No event of speci.-il importance 
marked his early career, but on attaining his ma- 
jority' he started out in life for himself, choosing 



ilu- W oi as the scene of liis future labors. In 
lM-1,') he came to Iowa and engaged in the wagon 
and undertaking busiiKSS in \'an Buren County, 
continuing operations in that line for a number of 
years. In IH47 he led to the marriage altar .Miss 
Kmeline Carson, who was born on the 31st of Oc- 
tober, 1IS27. Their union was blessed with nine 
children, nil born in Van Buren County- with the 
exception of the two youngest — .Joseph, born Oc- 
tober 2"J. 1HJ!». is represented elsewhere in this 
volume; William, born in 18'jl, died in 1857; 
Samuel (i., born AuL'ust 8, IH.');'), is now a pros- 
perous farmer of Kd wards County, Kan; Mary 
Rebecca, born .September 1, 18.57, is the widow of 
S. L. Smith, of Durango, Colo.; John Mason, born 
in 1H6(), died in 18(;6; .Sarah Ann, born M.ay 9, 
18G2. is the wife of Oscar Cornell, a farmer of 
Pawnee County, Kan.; Nora Jane, born August 13, 
18C1, is the wife of W. S. Shum.iker, of Batavia. 
who was Postmaster at that place under President 
Cleveland; Thomas Mantord. born May It!. I8i;7. 
and Amanda. November 2.'). 187(t, complete the 
family. 

In 18.j(). during the gold excitement in Califor- 
nia. .Mr. Clark joined a \)arly numbering one hun- 
dred and ten men, who. under Capt. Zachariah 
Walker, now deceased, made an overland journey 
with o.x-teams to the Oolilen State. They remained 
for more than a year, during which lime .Mr. Clark 
engaged in prospecting, but sickness compelled him 
to relinquish his claim, which afterward proved to 
be a very rich one. lie made the return trip by 
water, reaching the Isthmus of Panama after a 
fifty-five (lays voyage on the Pacific, and on a 
Mississippi steamer returned to Iowa. On reach- 
ing home he resumed his former business, that of 
undertaking and wagon making, which he contin- 
ued until I8);.5, when he purch.ised a farm on sec- 
tion 2;). Liberty Township, Jefferson County, 
where he has since maile hi.s home. For six years, 
from 1851 until 18G(l. he was Postmaster of Busi- 
ness Corner. In political sentiment, he is a Repub- 
lican, anil a stanch advocate of his party principles. 
For eighteen years his neighbors have manifested 
their trust in him by retaining him as District 
Treasurer, and it is needless to say every duty has 
been faithfully discharged, lie joined the .Metho- 
dist, Kpi.scopal Church in 1 1^17. and in 1K,')!I he 
changed to the Protestant, and his wife is a mem- 
ber of the Methodist Protestant Church. Through- 
out the community this worthy couple are lielil in 
high esteem for their many excellent qualities and 
their upright lives. They are also numbered 
among the honored pioneers of the county, having 
for forty-live years made their home within its 
borders or in its immediate vicinity. 



PORTRAIT AND BIOGRAPHICAL ALBUM. 



659 



^ AMES F. WILSON, Jit., is a promising and 
I enterprising young business man of Fair, 
field, Jefferson County, who is a native of 
77 tliat city, born May 23, 1867, and a son of 
Senator James F. Wilson, whose sketcli appears 
elsewhere in this volume. Ilis primary education 
was received in the public schools of Fairfield, after 
which he attended Parsons College. In October, 
1889, he opened a large boot and shoe establish- 
ment in Fairfield, where he carries one of the finest 
and best assorted stocks in that line in the county. 
He is doing a large and constantly increasing busi- 
ness, and is an affable, genial gentleman, who by 
fair and honorable dealings has built up a trade of 
which he has reason to be proud. He well deserves 
the success which has so far attended him in his 
business career, and a bright future seems to bt 
before him. 




W. TAYLOR, M.D., of Glasgow, Jeffer- 
son County, came to this place in 1855, is 
a native of Litchfield County, Conn., born 
in 1817, and is the fifth child of a family 
of six. His father was a native of Connecticut, 
and was a minister of the Presbyterian Church. 
In about 1828 the family removed to Portage 
County, Ohio, where the father died in 1863, in 
Fredonia. The mother of our subject survived him 
a few years and died in the same place. 

Dr. Taylor received an academical education at 
Tallmadge, Summit County. When about eighteen 
years of age he removed to Kane County, III., 
where he worked on a farm and in a sawmill at 
Aurora for several years. When twenty-one years 
of age he married Miss Jane A. Fanner, of Kane 
Count}', 111., b}' whom he had six children — Fran- 
ces, now Mrs. Sturdevant, of Beaver County, Pa.; 
Alfred, who died in Paola, Kan., in 1887; Sarah, 
now Mrs. McColough, of Bellville, Kan.; Elliot P., 
a hotel keeper of Glasgow; Adelaide, now Mrs. 
Brewer, of Marshall County, Kan.; Willie K., of 
Kearney, Neb. The mother of these children died 



in 1853, and about one year after Dr. Taylor mar- 
ried Miss Amy R. Makepeace, of JelTersr.n County, 
N. Y. Two children were born of this union — 
Fred M., of Batavia, Jefferson County; Annie P.. 
now Mrs. Fairchilds, of Henry County, Iowa. 

When about thirty-four years of age our subject 
began the study of medicine at Aurora, III., and in 
(he winter of 1854-55 he attended a course of lec- 
tures at Keokuk. On his removal to this county 
he began the practice of medicine at Glasgow, 
where he has continued to reside engaged in active 
practice until the present time, with the exception 
of about fifteen months when he served as Assistant 
Surgeon of the Fourth Iowa Cavalry, his commis- 
sion bearing date June 7, 1864. He was mustered 
out at Atlanta, Ga., in August, 1865. Politically, 
Dr. Taylor is an ardent Republican, witli which 
party he has affiliated since its organizaticm, pre- 
vious to which he was a member of the Whig party. 
He is a member of Post No. 227, G. A. R.. of (ilas- 
gow, and was active in securing the erection of the 
soldiers' monument at that place. He is a member 
of the Congregational Church, of which body his 
wife is also a member. 



^' "^ 



=1^ 



ip ^LLIOT P. TAYLOR, Postmaster of Glas- 

fel gow, Jefferson County, born 



Jefferson Count}', born in Aurora. 
J rr^ Kane County. 111., in 1845, is a son of 
Dr. S. W. Tavlor, whose sketch is given above. He 
came to this county with his parents when about 
eight years of age. In November, 1861, when not 
quite sixteen years of age, he enlisted in Company 
JI, Fourth Iowa Cavalry, which regiment wiis as- 
signed to the Western Army and was sent to Spring- 
iield. Mo., and thence to Helena, Ark., and tlien to 
Vicksburg. where it remained until the surrender 
of that place. .Air. Taylor was a participant of all 
the engagements of his regiment prior to this time, 
including Jackson Port, Ark., Batesville and He- 
lena. After the surrender of Vicksburg, he was 
with his regiment on Sherman's expedition against 
Meridan, Miss., after which he went home on a vet- 



660 



I'ORTRAIT AND BIOGRArillCAL ALBUM. 



iruii fiirlijiii,'li linving re-enlisted for three years 
more or (liiriii<j tin- war. ( »n returiiiii;" South the 
regiiiionl wiis eii;,'aj,'e(l in scvcrril Italtli's wiili For- 
rest. It was then in the noted Wilson raid tiiroiigii 
Alnhania and (:eur<{in. .Mr. Taylor w.is nuislered 
out at Atlanta. Ga., in Au<;ust, I8G0, anil dis- 
cliarged at Davenport. He was in the service 
ahonl four yi'ars and was fortunate in neither be- 
ing wounded nor taken prisoner. 

On returnin-; to this county Mr. Taylor engaged 
in farming for a few years. In 18(j7 be married 
.Miss Clara .Strong, a native of Jefferson Count}-, a 
daughter of .lolin and .lulia (Carpenter) Strong, 



the former a native of Ohio, .ind the latter of New 
Yiirk. Iler father died in Glasgow in IHGC, while 
her mother is still living, making her home with 
our subject. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor are the parents 
of six children, four Of whom are living: .lennie, 
now Mrs. .1. K. Grant; Maud; Julia, who died in 
infancy; Jessie who died at fourteen years of age; 
Hernice and Clifford. Mr. Taylor has taken (piile 
an active part in the political affairs of his town- 
ship and has served as Assessor for six years. lie 
is a member of the A. R. Pierce Post, No. 227, 
Glasgow. Mrs. Taylor holds membership in the 
-Methodist Kpiscopal Church. 








Abraham, John C 257 

Abialiam, VV. T 200 

Acheson, George 2i7 

Adams, John 23 

Ailanis, John Q 39 

Alston, William 295 

Anderson, A. P .508 

Anderson , Foster GOO 

Anderson, Levi 561 

Anson , Thomas 595 

Anson, William 408 

Arnold, J. B ..589 

Arthnr, Chester A 99 

Alkins, W ; 541 

August, John 510 



B 



Bailey, G. S., M. D oS3 

Baldwin, Charles 368 

Ball, George W 596 

Ball, Smith 263 

Barker, A. C 2.32 

Barker, W. A 217 

Barnes, Hiram 448 

Barton, W. A 463 

Ba.\ter, M. D 601 

Beck, Janu'B A 193 

Beek, James S 203 

Bee ler, Joseph 559 

Bell, George W 471 

Bell, John R 329 

Bell , James 5.36 

Bell. Thomas 316 

Beswick, James, Jr 417 

Beswick, James, Sr 465 

Beswick. T. T 476 

Bickford, S. M 305 

Bigclow, Samuel E 370 

Bishop, John 373 

Black, Hon . 3Ioses 538 

Black, W. O 563 



Blackmer, B. P., M. D 284 

Blakeley. Joseph 516 

Bloss, William R 225 

Blough, H. D 584 

Boies, Horace 159 

Boling, S. M 3:i8 

Booker, S. F 60H 

Born, Samuel 602 

Bnggs, Ansel Ill 

Brown, A. H 204 

Brown, John L 201 

Buchanan, .Tames 75 

Bull.Hon. C. E 497 

Burkhart, J. Cx 300 

Burnett, J. W 5fj4 



Caldwell, H. C 616 

Calhoun, D. K 437 

Calhoun, Newton L 428 

Calhoun, V. S 442 

Campbell, Bethel 291 

Campbell. Hon. Edward, Jr...UII 

Campbell, .Joel E 404 

Campbell. John P 652 

Campbell, Joseph 241 

Carpenter, Cyrus Clay 139 

Carr, Hon. John W {;oi 

C'arr, Samuel I IH 

Castile, Andrew 466 

Castile, Isaac 476 

Cassel, A. F ;i88 

Cavin, John ;M2 

Cheney, L. C 2(18 

Chester. Capt. S. J 293 

Chidester, VV. N (i21 

Clapp, James W 499 

Clark, James R 4(W 

Clark, Joseph V 631 

Clark, Julius L 6.18 

Clarke, (Jeorge D 451 

Clarke, Charles S., M. D .581 

Clevelanil, Cirover S 103 

Countryman. Peter 484 

Crail, Capt. B. F 2.10 



Craine, George 444 

Craine, George H 445 

Crawford, J. F 178 

Cretcher, M. Q 566 

C'rumly, A. L 176 

Crumly, I. H 188 

Culbei'tson, John W 3.33 

Cummings, S. A .597 



D 



Dablburg, Peter 172 

Danielson, F. O 414 

David, Charles 268 

Davidson, George W 405 

Dickson, R. M . . . 6;i8 

Dole, J. S 278 

Dougherty, R. A (U8 

Doughty, C. H 480 

Downing, William F 348 

Drakes, Joseph 183 

Droz, George A 385 

Du Bois, R. D 280 

Duckworth, Capt. W. A 469 

Duffield . James, Sr <U4 

Duke, David 335 

Dunwoody, William 266 

Dye, Thomas H 4:)o 

Dysart, H. M 521 



Edmonson, H. B 318 

Edniond.son, VV. K 3,»0 

Edmondson, William 409 

Edwards, Dr. E. S 599 

Elbert, Hon. S. H 603 

Elbert, John D .598 

Elbert, Capt. Leroy S 615 

EUmaker, Reuben 547 

Ellyson, .John T 180 

Ely.B. F 212 

Ely, RobertE 18b 



Eshleman. J. H 3.53 

Everett.J. L 609 



Farmer. Sauniel C 4.33 

Fasnacht, Samuel 314 

Fatherson, George 406 

Fellows, S. D ,540 

Fellows, W. A 5.56 

Fellows, VV. M. V. B 522 

Fillmore, Millard 67 

Fleming, W. B 214 

Flinspaeh, Lawrence .590 

Folker, Cyrus N 351 

Ford, B. F .398 

Fordyce, Dr. W 591 

Fordyee, Hon. Lewis 395 

Fosnot, L. C 315 

Fowler, James A 412 

Frame, W. B 639 

Fnish, Henry 175 

Fullen, Cliarles D 360 

Ferguson, D. W 615 



G 



Oage, C. W .316 

Galliher, James A 309 

Gant/-, J. S 327 

Gantz, Levi 224 

GarlieUI, James A 95 

Gatlin, James 277 

Gear, John H 147 

Gilchrist, A :»8 

Gille(t,Bert 185 

Gillett, l.saac C 174 

Gillett, O. a 4.54 

Gilmer, James 20.0 

Gilmer, Robert T 336 

Glover, Jonah 511 

Goodin, Asa 480 

GooiUn, William 474 



INDKX. 



aoulcl, E. S S77 

(lonlon. J. W JW 

(irnnl, I'lyMwa 6. 87 

(iratxT, Jtweph MR 

llnthalii, Jont'ph 410 

l)n-«-n. N. X J30 

(In'Kory, WllllHm 844 

GrliiH**, .liiiiH'M W UK 

(inilil.. Ur. W. F tau 

(iriiMi, w. >v 4ae 

< fuenupy, (J. S . .SOS 



II 



Hi«kI.t, John C MB 

llaliilliic. Dr. J. E MA 

tluLticxKl, Ihoao 517 

MuriMtn, (ienrtcc 431 

IliirkiHM, Vrot. K. A. 30»1 

llarriH. I Ml 

HiirriH, Jnniithan 1)4 

Ilurrli., W. T ami 

HnrhM>ii. Bi>njaintn 107 

llnrrlwin, Wllliain Hviiry M 

liiu-tliipt. Will 4S0 

lla.vi-d. KutliiTrtinl B (M 

llflll|l«*l<<U<l. S(<-|illl*ll 11.% 

Ilcrin, linn. K4'nihiirt 2rt'i 

lltrk<'nlM»tl<>iii, Jiiini*N tt07 

Hilly, O. W -JHS 

lIlKk-y. T. F .VC' 

Hill. It. C tun 

Ilinklf. .laniiii M •►;!» 

Ilinkli-. ('ii|il. Aliniin :ftcl 

HotTinun.T. 1- 2);i 

llopkirk. Ilnir William 427 

I lolllHtt'r. >liin<ll<-y <U3 

ll'irIon..SiiinUfl T 482 

ll'xkin.M Oln 

lii».i<-lli-r,John 3.'>7 

lI..»ar.l.E. A 3Xi 

1 Inir. .lolin (WS 

Itiiiriunn, Burke 324 

lliiiriiuin. F. B 2M3 

lliillniiin, iliatt 4«I7 

lIuM.tlliT. W. M 37H 

lliinil»-rt,lMiinh 020 

lluHiplir.'y. B. F .Vlti 

lliinipliri-y,(iL<orKi* .MH 

llunt/.liiKcr, F. B 37H 

llutohiD, Jamra T 1U& 



IrlHh, J. ti 



.IMl 



.IncktKio, Andrew 43 

.ffiruntou, Thomaa 27 

Joltn»4i>n, Aadrt'W 1*3 



Johnaon, A ...3S7 

Johnxton , Benjamin 2M 

JohnHon. J. A 307 

JohnMin, William mi 

JohnMHi, W. J 610 

Jonm, 1. 1) 2!W 

Joncn, W. A..M. I> 4ti2 

Jonnt, W.V 301 

Jordon.J. H 017 

Junkln.C.M 3ffl) 

Junkln.W. W 2119 



K 



Kaya, Martin S73 

Keck, J. A 523 

Kenyon, K. B 45:* 

Kerr, ChrlBtopher 426 

Kfrr. Wllllani B 352 

Kelohom, B 423 

Kin).', A 238 

Klntf.Dr.J. E 310 

Kini.'. Hun. I>oonanl 471 

Kini,-. IVrry 22S 

Kirkwootl, Sfinmel J 127 

Klltio, I>. K :1(I3 

Kliw, (it-orco 1S7 

Kniipp. Hi)n. J. C (M7 

KuuliH. HI Men «25 

Kramer, .1. A 4«> 



IjthiiKh, r. 1 401 

IjaniMin. Wunl fLVi 

I.jindi'x. Jiilin H Ue 

Ijirrabei-, William I.Vi 

Lofller, Jiinu-H 425 

LotTK-ctl, Hon. C. I) ;«>5 

U'KKftt. Kielmnl H 2S8 

LewlM, Z. T. . 332 

Lincoln, Ahniham 7i* 

Lo<'kc. John 438 

Lowe, Kalph V 123 

Lyon, Hev. F. F 312 



M 



Mntlison, JnincK 31 

Miulilix,J.T .'««! 

Manning', Kilwin .575 

.Murxiin, IVtor ti35 

MoMon. Kucene .501 

Miiftun. Hon. W. E 851 

MoBi'lli, C'upl. W 2.').') 

Met'lain, Allx-rt T 4ii2 

MrCriu-ki-n. William il 274 

McCnu-kin. William :137 

MiCrury, Hon. A. H 31!t 

MrCmry. llnn.O. W i;to 

McCrary , MuJ. J. C 330 



McCrary, Rev. John • i' 

McDonald, A 5(iu 

McDonald, C. «2» 

McElroy.C. M 276 

Mcduirp. Charles S.M 

McKec. (Irw-r ifil 

McKeincy. J. A 243 

McKoiney . Jacob 8 203 

McU'un. Andrew A 4«l 

McMillon. John 374 

McKcynokIs, 1'. A .57!t 

McSurdy , MilcM 246 

McWhirter. Snmnel <£« 

Mcaley . Tlioma* S 2.'>3 

Sleek, iMiiah 2<r.* 

Meek. 1.. C 2K7 

Meek.R. E .520 

.Meek, Robert 2l» 

Meek. William 20!t 

Memlenhall. Daniel 222 

Mcndenhall, Kev. Lewis 2:i!i 

Merrill. Samuel 1:15 

Messenger, iHaiah 2X17 

Miller, Henry f 445 

Mitchell. Hon. H. B 181 

Mohr, Henry 376 

Mohr. W. H 300 

Monroe. Jnmci* :<5 

McKire. Robert 613 

Moorman. Hon. Thomas 447 

MorriN, Samuel M 'M\ 

Morw, James .543 

Morion. J. N 2.58 

M(»slier. Charles E .'^12 

Mos.**. C. L .Vi7 

Mowery. F. P Ill 

Myers, L. G .504 

Myern. RielumI .527 

Myers, S. A .577 

Myers, S. H .515 



N 



Nady , X .VVi 

NenI, Uriel 475 

Ncfrus, Hon. Churles 611 

Nel»<in. W. W., M.U :«» 

XewlMild, Joahua 113 

Noble. A. C :«)» 

Noble, Hon. C. E 273 

Noble, John, 274 

Norrls, J. N., M. D 5... 80 

NorvclI.E. K 500 



Pack wood, Sam net .Vt3 

Park. J. R 

Parker, W. R :,:» 

I'arsons. Batdon 4i»;l 

Pennington. B 622 

PcnniuKton, tff?or|fO 535 

PcrklDH, J. F 213 

Petonion, John O 1 16 



Pettltt. li ' 481 

Pickapil. Henry jot 

Pierce. B. D 302 

Pierce. F'ranklin ■• 

Pleasants, Porter 413 

Polk. Jiinies K 50 

Pnill. Roh<-rt Jlft 

Pn-wil t, A. T 2I« 

Pumphrer, W. F 175 



R 



Rtiines, Kcv. John A SU2 

Raney, H. C 306 

Reed, Dr. Charles 210 

Renfro. Rev. T. A USO 

Rice, Hon. J. W 429 

Ricksher, Jowph 601 

Rider, Capt. Daniel 400 

Rider, T. .M :)8« 

Risk.C. C 403 

Roberts. Joseph P 177 

Robinson. Dr. Sawyer .501* 

Roblnsiin. John A 512 

Rohinson, J. B 4.52 

Rockwell. Ed H 5i» 

RiK-kwell, F. W «I8 

Ross. John 407 

Ross. Rev. S. B 431 

Roih. j.)scph m 

Rowliind. J. D 5:14 

Kowlaiid. RoliertK 507 

Uowhmil.S. 1' lai 

R<.»lcy. J. W 480 

Rupp. John .576 

Russell. W 568 



S:ilts. Sjunuei 2:17 

Sclinniltlein. (Jeorye :t!iil 

Schwartz, .\brnham 21»f( 

St-iiioii. Henry 21.5 

.Shaltcr. HirainQ M»i 

Sherman. Buren R L5i 

Simmons. K. F 246 

Simmons, Hon. W. L. S 317 

Sinnnons. John 207 

Simon. Henry 

Sippel, Charles P 220 

Skinner, E. H... : 538 

Slnt-lcC. W 63« 

Sloan, Hon. Robert IlHI 

Sloan. Judf^e Joshua S 170 

Smilh. Bros 3:11 

Smith. 1) «3I 

Smith. Eli 505 

Smilh. H.C 387 

Smilh. J.N 526 

Smilh. Rev. D.C 332 

Stnii l>. TliouuiM R .537 

Smith, V. V 593 

Suiit hbnrK, O. A 519 

Snid*.T, ( leorge 2:16 



INDEX. 



Snider, J. T 436 

Snook, Dr. Calvin 318 

Snook, Jolin 281 

Spees, J. B., 51. D Xi 

Spielman, John 375 

Spielinan,.John A 533 

Spencer, George H :i49 

Staats, Jolin P 227 

Stanford, A 315 

Stevens. John R 490 

Stever, D. H., M. D 226 

Stewart, John B 591 

Stewart, J. W 449 

Stone, William M 131 

Stonebraker, Andrew .i92 

Stoner, R. J 452 

Stong, Jacob 488 

Stubbs, Hon. D. P ,i71 

Stubbs, O. D 501 

Sturdivant , Dr. R. J .328 

Summers, Dr. L. F 486 



Tade, Hon. William A. 
Ta.vlor,E. P 



..441 

.(«9 



Taylor, Dr. S. W (B(l 

Taylor, Zachary 63 

Terapleton, D. W 221 

Ten Eyck,G. K 446 

Thompson, CM 371 

Thompson , Col. James 649 

Thorne, J. C 200 

Thrash, Samuel 567 

Tilford, J. T 6.54 

Ti Ison , Thomas S 184 

Tobias, Michael B .i94 

Trabert, Lewis 456 

Tulley, Thomas 492 

Twombly, Capt. V. P 393 

Tyler, John 55 



Vale, Hon. B. R 3.59 

Vale, Hon. J. G .574 

Van Buren, Martin 47 



Van Nostrand, Clark 473 

Vincent, S. E 424 



w 



Walgreen, August ,3.55 

Walker, C. C 240 

Walker, Hon. Wesley 173 

Waller, J. K ii,51 

Walmer, Daniel 508 

Walmer, Jacob 415 

Waltz, G. B 48.'i 

Warren, Joseph 657 

Washington, George 19 

Welch, John 498 

Wells, A. T 286 

Wells, George A 370 

Whitten, John 62fi 

Wilcoxon, W. A 379 

Wilkin, John ,548 

Wilkins, J. E 184 

Wilkins, L. L 615 

Williams, John 270 



Williamson, Hon. John 260 

AVilliamson, Joseph 455 

Wilson. Hon. James F 169 

WiKson. James F.,Jr 659 

WiLson, Rollin J 292 

Woods, A. H 250 

Woods. Mrs. Ellis 2.15 

Woods, P. X., M. D 223 

Woodside, W. A 546 

Work, Sanuiel 389 

Wright, Hon. G. F 614 

Wright, Hon. G. G 3-22 



Young, Joseph 249 



Zihlman, Lukas 430 








Adams. John 22 

Adams, John Q :» 

Arnold, J. B .588 

Arnold, 5Irs. Louisa .588 

Arthur, Chester A 98 

Ball. Smith 262 

Ball, Mrs. Rebecca 262 

Barker, W. A 216 

Boies, Horace 1.58 

Briggs, Ansel 110 

BiK'liaiian. James 74 

Bull, Hon. C. E 496 

Campbell. Bethel 290 

Carpenter, Cyrus Clay 138 

( •le\ eland, S. Urover 102 

Duckworth, Capt. W. A 468 

Fillmore, Millard 66 

(ialliher. James A 308 



Gantz, J. S 326 

Garfield, J. A 94 

Grant, U. S 86 

Grubb, Dr. W. F 458 

Guernsey, Dr. G. S .5.50 

Guernsey, Mrs. G. S ,551 

Gear, John H 14(' 

Griines, .lames W US 

Harrison, Benjamin 10<i 

Harrison, W. H 50 

Hayes, R. B 90 

Hempstead, Stephen 114 

Hickenbottom, James 606 

Hiiikle, Capt. A 3«2 

Hollister, Mandley 642 

Jackson, Andrew 42 

Jefferson, Thomas 26 

.Johnson , Andrew ,*<2 



Ketcham, Benjamin 420 

Ketchani, Mrs. Benjamin 421 

Kirk wood, Samuel J 126 

Koous, Dillen 624 

Koons. Mrs. Jemima 621 

Larrabee, William 154 

Lincoln, Abraham 78 

Lowe, Ralph F 122 

Madison, James 30 

Mealey, Thomas S 2.52 

Merrill, Samuel 134 

Mitchell, Hon. H. B 180 

Monroe, James 34 

Nelson, Dr. W . \V 362 

Nelson, Mrs. W. \V 3K) 

Newbold, Joshua G 142 

Noble, Hon. C. E 272 

Pierce, Franklin 70 



Polk. J K .58 

Prall, Robert 514 

Risk,C, C 402 

Sherman, Buren R 150 

Sloan, Hon. J. S 478 

Sloan , Robert 198 

Spielman. J. A 532 

Stanford, .\ :H4 

Stanford, Mrs. Nancy 314 

SUme, William M l;i() 

Stubbs, Hon. D. P 570 

Tade, Hon. W. A 440 

Taylor, Zachary 62 

Twombley , Capt. V. P. 392 

T;iler. Joiin 54 

Van Buren, Martin 46 

Washington, George 18 

Wilson, James F 168 

Woocls, Mi-s. Ellis -tU 



fmi ^> [r-]] 



~p~ 



